.
Order of Contents
Early 4
Medieval 7
Reformed 16+
Protestant 2
Lutheran 1
Arminian 1
Romanist 1
Biblios 2
.
Early Church
300’s
Didymus the Blind – 1 John in Commentary on the Catholic Epistles in PG 39.1775-1808
Didymus (c. 313 – 398) was a Christian theologian in the Church of Alexandria, where he taught for about half a century. He was a student of Origen, and, after the Second Counsel in Constantinople condemned Origen, Didymus’s works were not copied. Many of his writings are lost, but some of his commentaries and essays survive.
“…Origen paved the road for Christian hermeneutics as a professional and scientific enterprise fully in tune with the scholarly standard of his time. This was no small achievement. His successors built upon the foundations which he had laid:… Didymus the Blind (313-98) whose prolific exegetical work in the Origenistic tradition has in recent decades become better known through the papyrus find in Toura in Egypt…” – Froehlich, Biblical Interpretation in the Early Church (Fortress, 1984), p. 18
.
400’s
Augustine – 10 Tracts on 1 John in Patrologia Latina, vol. 35, cols. 1977-2063
Augustine (354-430) was an important early Church father and theologian.
Cyril of Alexandria – 1 John in Fragments on Hebrews – 1 John & Jude in ed. Migne, Patrologiae Graeca, vol. 74, cols. 1022-23
Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376 – 444) was a leading and prolific protagonist in the Christological controversies of the late-4th and 5th centuries. He was a central figure in the Council of Ephesus in 431, which led to the deposition of Nestorius as Patriarch of Constantinople.
“Cyril produced a biblical exegesis presenting all the marks of a magisterial teaching: solemn diction, a display of vast knowledge and rhetorical skills, a constant affirmation of doctrinal correctness. Verse by verse, Isaiah, the Psalms… School procedures determine Cyril’s exposition of well-organized exegetical works in which the author grasps readers by the hand and, with eloquence and erudition, leads them to the spiritual sense… After Cyril, the exegetical tradition of Alexandria lost its impetus.” – Historical Handbook of Major Biblical Interpreters (IVP, 1998), p. 8
.
In Greek
A Compilation of Fathers
Cramer, J.A. – 1 John in Catenae [Chains] of the Greek Fathers on the New Testament, vol. 8 (Jam-Rev) (Oxford, 1844), pp. 105-45 The intro is in Latin, the commentary is in Greek.
.
Medieval
Euthalius – 1 John in Chain on the 7 Catholic Epistles in PG 85.683-88
Euthalius was a bishop who lived sometime during the 4th to the 7th centuries. These works include the Greek version of the Biblical books with a Latin translation in a parallel column, and footnotes below (mostly of alternate readings).
Paterius – 1 John in Exposition of the Old & New Testament in Migne, Patrologiae Graeca, vol. 79, col. 1099-1106
Paterius (d. 606) was a bishop of Brescia. He is known as a compiler, in particular of works of Pope Gregory I, for whom he worked as a notary.
Bede – 1 John in Exegetical Works: Genuine, Exposition on the Catholic Epistles in ed. Migne, Patrologia Latina, vol. 93, cols. 85-119
Bede (c.672-735) was an English Benedictine monk. Bede does not comment on all the Biblical books, but he does comment on enough of them to deserve a place on this webpage.
Strabo, Walafridus – Romans – Revelation in The Sacred Bible with the Ordinary Gloss (1603) ed. Migne, vol. 2
Walafridus Strabo (c. 808-849)
“Within medieval schools, the most important commentary used in the disputations was the Glossa ordinaria, the Ordinary Gloss. Glosses are explanatory notes added to a text, in this case, the Bible.. Adding glosses to texts began in the eight and ninth centuries in Northumbria and Ireland. It steadily increased in popularity and use, until, by the beginning of the eleventh century, glossing was widespread… Collections of these glosses offering interpretation of the entire Bible began to appear in Paris about 1220, and shortly thereafter were found in Germany and England.” – History of Biblical Interpretation, vol. 2, pp. 37-8
“The celebrated Glossa Ordinaria of Walafridus Strabo [c. 808-849], or Strabus, may be considered as a Catena Patrum [chain of fathers] on the Scriptures. He copies considerably from Rabanus Maurus [c. 780-856], on some of the books. The work is valuable for giving the literal sense, historical and moral. It was first published at Nuremberg, 1494, in 6 vol. folio, and several editions were afterwards printed. The best are those of Douay, 1617, and Antwerp, 1634, in which the Postilla of De Lyra were incorporated with other additions, ‘forming together’ says Calmet, ‘a treasure for theologians and preachers.’” – James Darling
See also the comments of T.H. Horne, Manual of Biblical Bibliography, p. 244.
Oecumenius – Ephesians – Revelation
Oecumenius, once believed to be a Bishop of Trikka (now Trikala) in Thessaly writing about A.D. 990, was reputed to be the author of several commentaries on books of the New Testament. However, more recently scholars have redated Oecumenius’ Commentary on the Apocalypse to the early seventh century, or the late sixth century, and have located Oecumenius as writing in Asia Minor.
Hugo of Saint Caro – Romans – Revelation in All the Homilies of Hugo from St. Caro, in which are Delineated All the Senses: Literal, Allegorical, Tropological & Analogical, on… (1487 / 1703)
Hugh of Saint-Cher (d. 1263)
“The most influential type of comprehensive commentary, the postilla, was developed in the Dominican school at the University of Paris in the early thirteenth century, under the influence of Hugh of Saint-Cher (d. 1263). The postilla, a running commentary composed originally as classroom lectures, became the typical Bible commentary of scholasticism. The postilla was intended to supplement the Ordinary Gloss with newer interpretations and theological outlooks. These supplements were often digressions on theological subjects suggested by the passage being interpreted, and focused essentially on the literal sense of the passage.” – History of Biblical Interpretation, vol. 2, p. 38
Gorranus, Nicolaus – Commentary on the Catholic Epistles
Gorranus (1232-1295) was a Dominican. The work on the catholic epistles has sometimes been attributed to Thomas Aquinas, but it is Gorran’s.
De Lyra, Nicholas – Acts – Revelation in The Sacred Bible Set in Order and Interlined with Glosses and the Postils and Moral Teachings of Nicholas de Lyra (1545)
De Lyra (c. 1270-1349)
“The Postilla, or short commentaries of De Lyra [c. 1270-1349], are far superior to the age in which he flourished, and show great acquaintance with the literal sense of Scripture. They are especially valuable for the Old Testament, from his superior knowledge of Hebrew and the Rabbinical writers, particularly Jarchi [1040–1105]. An edition was printed by Mentelin, in 1473, in 4 vol. folio, and many other editions were printed. The best are those which accompany the Glossa of Strabo [above]. The Postilla are also to be found in the Biblia Maxima of De la Haye [below].” – James Darling
See also the comments of T.H. Horne, Manual of Biblical Bibliography, p. 244.
Denis the Carthusian – 1 John in Commentary on the Old & New Testament in Works (Monstrolii: Carusiae, 1896), vol. 14, pp. 3-56
Denis (1402-1471)
“Without much secular learning or much criticism, Dionysius the Carthusian has great discernment, knowledge and piety, with an easy style. There were various editions of the different volumes of his commentaries printed in the sixteenth century.” – James Darling
.
Reformed
1500’s
Zwingli, Ulrich – Exposition on 1 John in Annotations on the Evangelical History of our Lord Jesus Christ... (Zurich, 1539)
Zwingli (1484-1531) was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland.
Oecolampadius, Johannes – 21 Homilies on 1 John (1525)
Oecolampadius (1482-1531) was a reformer and humanist, largely in Basel.
Pellican, Conrad – 1 John in Commentaries on All the Apostolic Epistles of Paul, Peter, James & Jude (Zurich, 1532-42), Romans – Jude
“Pellican gives the Latin Vulgate retouched, and rendered more conformable to the Hebrew and Greek; his commentaries are excellent for elucidating the literal and grammatical sense of Scripture, and for throwing light on many obscure passages.” – James Darling
Pellican, Conrad, Henry Bullinger, Leo Jud, Theodore Bibliander – 1 John in The Most Holy Bible of the Old & New Testament… with a Consulting of Orthodox Interpreters (Tigur, 1543), pp. 112b-114
This has light margin notes, similar to a study Bible. On the authors, see Wikipedia on Pellican, Jud & Bibliander. On this work, see John Kitto, Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, on Bibliander, p. 363.
Marlorat, Augustine – 1 John in A Catholic, Ecclesiastical Exposition of the New Testament… or a Library of Exposition (Geneva, 1570), Catholic Epistles, separately paginated, pp. 81-121 Abbr.
Marlorat (1506-1562) was a French reformer.
“A valuable work, containing Erasmus’ Latin Version of the New Testament, with the Expositions of the Fathers of the Church, and of Bucer, Calvin, Erasmus, Musculus, Melanchthon, Sarcerius, Brentius, Bullinger, Zwinglius, Vitus Theodorus, Marloratus, etc.” – James Darling
Bullinger, Henry – On 1 John
Bullinger (1504-1575) was a Swiss reformer, the successor of Huldrych Zwingli as head of the Zürich church and pastor at Grossmünster.
Gwalther, Rudolph – 1 John in Homilies on the Catholic Epistles
Gwalther (1519-1586) was a Reformed pastor and Protestant reformer who succeeded Heinrich Bullinger as Antistes of the Zurich church.
Aretius, Benedict
Instruction on 1 John in Instruction on the Seven Canonical Epistles, pp. 32-41 (Prolegomena)
1 John in James – Jude
Aretius (1505–1574) was a Swiss Protestant theologian, Protestant reformer and natural philosopher.
Grynaeus, Johann Jakob – An Explanation of 1 John in Explanatio, Epistolae Primae et Secvndae Iohannis Apostoli & Euangelistae (Basil, 1591)
Grynaeus (1540-1617) was a Swiss professor of the Old & New Testament at Basel. He was also a professor of the New Testament for a time at Heidelberg.
Beza, Theodore – 1 John in Junius, Tremellius & Beza, The Sacred Bible, 6 vols. (London, 1592-3), vol. 6, fol. 183b-186b
This is one of the best editions of this work.
Beza, Theodore – 1 John in Annotations on the New Testament of Jesus Christ our Lord… ([Geneva] 1598)
This is a best edition of the work. It gives Beza’s Greek text in parallel columns with his Latin translation in the middle, with the Vulgate on the right. His large annotations and discussions (much larger than what is in the English translation) follow under the columns.
.
1600’s
Tossanus, Sr., Daniel – 1 John in Commentaries in that which Remains of Paul, the other Apostolic Epistles and the Apocalypse of John (d. 1602; Hanau, 1604)
Tossanus Sr. (1541-1602) was a French Reformed theologian and professor of New Testament at Heidelberg.
Herlin, Johann Henrich – 1 John in Instruction on the Reading of all the Books of the New Testament, by an Primary or General Analysis of them, by a summary series of the Things & Arguments… (Bern, 1605), pp. 331-35
Herlin (d. 1611) was a reformed professor of Greek, ethics and theology at Bern, Switzerland.
Casaubon, Isaac & Henry Estienne – 1 John in The New Testament (Geneva, 1617)
Casaubon (1559–1614) was a classical scholar and philologist, first in France and then later in England. He was a professor of Greek at Geneva and was regarded by many of his time as the most learned man in Europe. Estienne (1531-1598), also known as Henricus Stephanus, was a 16th-century French printer and classical scholar
This work is an edition of the Greek New Testament. It has summary of the contents of each chapter and lists mainly cross references and alternate Greek readings in the margin notes. The notes are also in the Critici Sacri.
Pareus, David – 1 John in Parts 3-4 of the Theological-Exegetical Works (d.1622; Geneva: Chovet, 1650)
Pareus (1548-1622)
Cameron, John
1 John in The Evangelical Ointment-Box: Here are Many Places of the New Testament aptly and skillfully Illustrated, Explicated and Vindicated from it with many labors… (d. 1625; Salmur, 1677), pp. 294-95 This work of Cameron’s covers less verses than his commentary appended to Beza’s commentary, but it covers these verses in greater depth.
Cameron (c. 1579 – 1625) was a Scottish theologian and a professor of theology in Saumur, France.
1 John by Cameron in Annotations on the New Testament by Theodore Beza… to which is Appended a New Covenant Commentary by John Cameron (d. 1625; Cambridge, 1642)
“The notes of Camerarius, which were added only in this edition, are important.” – James Darling
“The Commentaries of Joachim Camerarius, which form a part of this work, are very useful: in them, the learned author expounds the text in a grammatical and critical manner only, according to the genius of the original languages, and without entering into any disputed points of doctrine. They are a reprint of Camerarius’s Notatio figurarum sermonis in libris quatuor evangeliorum, et indicata verborum significatio et orationis sententia, ad illorum scriptorum intelligentiam certiorem. Lipsiae, 1572. 2 vols. 4to.” – Thomas Hartwell Horne
Cappel, Jacques – 1 John in Observations on the New Testament, Excepting the Acts of the Apostles & the Apocalypse of John (d. 1624; Amsterdam, 1657), pp. 311-14
Cappel (1570-1624) was a professor of Hebrew and theology and the uncle of the well-known Louis Cappel.
Piscator, Johann – 1 John in Commentaries on All the New Testament Books, 3rd ed. (d. 1625; 1638), pp. 761-78
Piscator (1546-1625)
Heinsius, Daniel – 1 John in Sacred Exercitations upon the New Testament (Cambridge, 1640), p. 585
Heinsius (1580-1655) was one of the most famous scholars of the Dutch Renaissance. He was a reviser of the Statenvertaling, was a student of Scaliger and Grotius and was Secretary of the States General at the Synod of Dordt.
Gomarus, Francis – 1 John in All the Theological Works (d. 1641; Amsterdam: Janssoni, 1644), pp. 454-79
Gomarus (1563-1641) was a Dutch theologian and an opponent of James Arminius.
de Dieu, Louis – 1 John in Sacred Criticism, or Animadversions on the Difficult Places of the Old & New Testaments (d. 1642; 1693), pp. 759-60
de Dieu (1590-1642) was a Dutch minister and an orientalist.
Morus, Alexander – 1 John in Notes on Some Places in the New Covenant (Paris, 1668), pp. 273-74
Morus (1616-1670) was born in Scotland, spent time in France and became a professor of Greek and theology at Geneva. Being forced to leave Geneva due to his Amyraldianism, he settled in Amsterdam.
Coccejus, Johannes – 1 John in All the Works, 3rd ed. (d. 1669; Amsterdam, 1701), vol. 6, separate pagination, pp. 1-11
Coccejus (1603-1669) was a Dutch theologian born in Bremen, known for his alternate covenant theology.
Doughtie, John & Norton Knatchbul – 1 John 1:2 & 2:22 in Sacred Analecta, or Brief Philological Excursus on Diverse Places of the Old and New Testaments, to which is subjoined the Animadversions of Norton Knatchbul on the Books of the New Testament (d. 1672; 1694), p. 131
Doughtie (1598–1672) was a reformed Anglican.
Knatchbul (1602–1685) was a scholar and may have been reformed as Peter du Moulin the younger in 1680 dedicated to him his ‘Short View of the Chief Points in Controversy between the Reformed Churches and the Church of Rome’.
Knatchbul “In the year before the Restoration [in 1660]… published his ‘Animadversiones in Libros Novi Testamenti. Paradoxæ Orthodoxæ… The work consists of a large number of critical emendations, based upon a fair knowledge of Hebrew, and showing considerable intrepidity for a critic of that period… a fourth edition, in English, appeared in 1692, entitled ‘Annotations upon some difficult Texts in all the Books of the New Testament,’ Cambridge, 1693 [Ref]. The translation is, according to Darling (Cyclop. Bibl. 1738), the author’s own… The work was held in great estimation for a century after its publication, and figures in a list of books annotated by the learned Ambrose Bonwicke (1652–1722) [q. v.] (Nichols, Lit. Anecd. v. 141). Kitto, however, says that Knatchbull’s remarks ‘are entirely wanting in depth, and we cannot read them without wonder at the small amount of knowledge which procured for their author such a widespread reputation’ (Cyclop. Bibl. ii. s.v.) ” – Dictionary of National Biography
Leusden, Johannes – 1 John in A Greek Key to the New Testament (Utrecht: Georgius, 1672), pp. 502-9
Leusden (1624-1699) was a Dutch theologian and professor of Oriental languages at Utrecht.
Poole, Matthew – 1 John in Synopsis of the Interpreters and Commentators of Sacred Scripture, vol. 5 (Rom-Rev) (1678 / 1684) Abbr.
This set is different (much more massive and detailed) than Poole’s Annotations on the Whole Bible, which has been reprinted in 3 vols. For the Romanist equivelent to this work, see Sixtus of Siena.
“His work was based upon an earlier compilation entitled Critici Sacri, containing the concentrated light of a constellation of learned men who have never been excelled in any age or country.” – Charles Spurgeon, Commenting & Commentaries
“The merit of Poole’s work depends partly on its wide range, as a compendium of contributions to textual interpretation, partly on the rare skill which condenses into brief, crisp notes the substance of much laboured comment. Rabbinical sources and Roman catholic commentators are not neglected; little is taken from Calvin, nothing from Luther.” – Dictionary of National Biography
Heidegger, Johann Heinrich – 1 John in A Biblical Manual: Sacred Reading, a General Analysis of each of the Books of the Old & New Testament… (Amsterdam, 1688), pp. 857-65
Heidegger (1633-1698) was a Swiss theologian and the principal author of the Formula Consensus Helvetica (1675).
Keuchenius, Peter – Annotations on 1 John in Annotations on All the Books of the New Testament 2nd ed. (d. 1689; Leiden, 1755), pp. 498-503
Keuchenius (1654-1689) was a learned Dutch minister and theologian.
“The author’s aim in these annotations is to throw light on the N. Test. by determining the sense in which words and phrases were used at the time it was written, and among those with whom its writers were familiar. For this purpose he compares the language of the N. Test. with that of the Septuagint, and calls in aid from the Chaldee and Syriac versions. His notes are characterized by sound learning and great good sense.” – Kitto’s Biblical Cyclopaedia, ii, 729
.
1700’s
Palairet, Elias – 1 John in Philological & Critical Observations on the Sacred Books of the New Covenant (Leiden, 1752), pp.
Palairet (1713-65) was a Dutch minister and classical scholar, who spent his later life in England.
.
.
Protestant
1500’s -1600’s
The Sacred Critics [Critici Sacri]
1660 ed.
Annotations on 1 John in Critici Sacri, vol. 7 (Acts-Rev) (London: Flesher, 1660), cols. 4605-68
1698, Largest & Best ed.
Annotations on 1 John in Critici Sacri, vol. 8 (James – Rev), cols. 219-86
.
1800’s
Valpy, Edward – 1 John in The New Testament with Theological & Philological Annotations, vol. 3 (Cor-Rev) (London, 1816), pp. 556-82
Valpy (1764–1832) was an English cleric, classical scholar and school teacher. See the commendatory remarks of Thomas Hartwell Horne upon this volume on p. 300 of A Manual of Biblical Bibliography.
Hardy, Samuel – 1 John in The New Testament of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Theological & Philological Scholia, 3rd ed. (London, 1820), vol. 2, pp. 470-88
“‘It was a very useful companion to every biblical student…’ – Dr. Clarke. The third edition of this work is the most correct: it is beautifully printed. The notes are chiefly extracted from [Matthew] Poole’s Synopsis.” – Thomas Hartwell Horne
.
Lutheran
1500’s
Osiander, Lucas – A Brief & Clear Exposition of Hebrews – Revelation (1583-1584)
Osiander (1534-1604) was a German Lutheran and the son of the more well known reformer, Andreas Osiander, who had advocated a view of being justified by infused righteousness, which Calvin argued against in his Institutes.
“It has been said of Lucas Osiander, that he had discovered the secret of being brief with fertility, and fertile with brevity.” – James Darling
Selnecker, Nikolaus – 1-3 John
Selnecker (1532-1592) was a German theologian, reformer, poet and a composer of hymns.
Hemmingsen, Niels – Romans – Jude
Hemmingsen (1513-1600) was a Danish Lutheran theologian who had studied under Melanchthon.
.
1600’s
Calov, Abraham – Romans -Revelation in The Bible Illustrated (1672 / 1719)
Calov (1612-1686)
R. Muller: “…Biblia Illustrata… functioned both as a somewhat polemical textual response to Grotius’s Annotationes and as a highly respected devotional Bible, treasured well into the next century by J.S. Bach, among other.” – Historical Handbook of Major Biblical Interpreters (IVP, 1998), p. 147
“An immense storehouse of information, touching versions, expositions, and other Biblical subjects. Strong against Papists and Socinians.” – Howard Malcom
Schmidt, Sebastian – Commentary on the Epistle of 1st John (d. 1696; Frankfurt & Leipzig: Lipper, 1707) 598 pp. Index
Schmidt (1617-1696) was a professor of theology at Strassburg.
.
1700’s
Wolf, Johann Christoph – Philological & Critical Exertions in the New Testament, vol. 5 (Jm-Rev) (1741) Best edition.
Wolf (1683-1739) was a German, Christian, Hebraist, polymath and collector of books.
“This is a very valuable compilation; as ‘Wolfius does not simply relate the sentiments of others, but frequently animadverts upon them with great critical discernment.’ (Dr. Williams.)” – Thomas Hartwell Horne
Morus, Samuel Friedrich Nathanael – Praelections & Recitations on 1-3 John
Morus (1736-1792) was a German philologist and Lutheran theologian. He was a professor of philosophy, Latin and Greek, and theology at Leipzig, in that order.
Storr, Gottlob Christian – On the Occasion & Audience of the Catholic Epistles
Storr (1746-1805) was a German Protestant theologian and professor of philosophy and theology at Tubingen and Stuttgart. He was an outspoken advocate of Biblical supranaturalism, and founder of Ältere Tübinger Schule (a conservative Tübingen school of theologians). His conservative orthodox views in theology placed him at odds with proponents of the Enlightenment, rationalism and Kantian philosophy.
.
Arminian
1600’s
Grotius, Hugo – 1 John in Annotations on the New Testament (Paris: Pele, 1646), vol. 2, pp. 63-102
Grotius (1583-1645) was a leading Biblical scholar of his day as well as an Arminian and Erastian. His commentary was widely influential for generations afterwards, though it greatly suffers for his aberrant doctrinal views and often idiosyncratic and unlikely textual interpretations.
“An unsafe guide; But Doddridge thinks ‘he has done more to illustrate Scripture by profane learning, than all other commentators put together.’” – Howard Malcom
See also the comments of T.H. Horne, Manual of Biblical Bibliography, p. 245. Though these Annotations were translated into English, they do not appear to be available in English on the net.
.
Romanist
1500’s
Sixtus of Siena – 1 John 5:7 & 16 in ‘Annotations & Censures on Expositors of the Divine Volumes…’ in A Holy Library, Collected out of Principal Catholic Church Authors (Leiden: Sib. a Porta, 1593), bk. 6, p. 555 Not every verse is commented on.
Sixtus Senensis (1520–1569) was a Jew who converted to Romanism and became a Franciscan preacher. He then became a Dominican and is considered one of the two most outstanding Dominican scholars of his generation.
This work is something of the Romanist equivelent to the protestant Matthew Poole’s Synopsis of the Critics.
[On the larger volume] “…also published as Ars Interpretandi Sacras Scripturas, discusses the canon and authority of Scripture, the individual biblical authors and their writings, and the interpretation of the text in its various senses and offers comments on passages of theological and critical interest in both Testaments. Sixtus’s work is noteworthy for its critical and hermeneutical dimensions, such as its argument for the multiple authorship of the Psalter, its assumption of a twofold literal sense much like that taught by Nicholas of Lyra, and its advocacy of the use of original texts and multilingual tools like the Complutensian Polyglott.” – R. Muller, Historical Handbook of Major Biblical Interpreters (IVP, 1998), p. 135
.
1600’s
Pricaeus, Joannes – Annotations on 1 John in Commentaries on Various New Testament Books (London: Flesher, 1660)
Price (c. 1602–1676) was an English classical scholar.
.
Bibliographies
1600’s
Heidegger, Johann Heinrich – ‘Interpreters of 1 John’ in A Biblical Manual… (Amsterdam, 1688), 1 John, pp. 864-65
.
1800’s
Malcom, Howard – ‘First John’ in Theological Index (Boston, 1868), Commentators, p. 115
.
.
.
Related Pages