The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-04-12
TIE BLBLE cOMMENTARY

Speakers Commentary was undertaken.
The first volume appeared ten years ago.
The last, on Hebrews to Revelation, has
just been issued in this country by the
Messrs. Scribner. We have already called
attention to previous volumes, and it is
only necessary to say that the present
seems in no way inferior to those which
have preceded. 1t is appropriately re-
marked of the work in the Preface to
this volume that &c the course of thought
during the past eighteen years has album
dainty shown the opportuneness of such
an undertaking" In consequence of
constantly accumulating discoveries, ar
Theological and pathological, public at
tention has been concentrated to an un-
precedented extent upon the Holy Scrip
lures, upon the origin and history OF
their several books, upon their text and
their Interpretation. 1t is very for
tunate, therefore, that just at this juno
ture commentary on the entire Scrip
lures should have been prepared by so
learned and judioious body of men as
have been associated with this work-in-
Guiding the best representatives of the
scholarship and piety of the Established
Church of England. The commentary
as wldae, in scholarly point of view
is the best on the whole Bible in
the English language 1t lacks the
JUNCTION and distinct evangelical tone of
Scott, but its aim is not homiletic, but
rather to consider the canonical claims
and character of each book; to ascertain
the correct reading and the correct trans
lation of the text; to illustrate the text
by the results of modern criticism and
learning; and to afford a plain, brief,
practical Interpretation thereof. On con-
troversial points while it represents the
views of the Church of England, it is
fair, candid, and suggestive. The dis
oussions, especially on the question of
the origin and authority of the Episco-
pate, may be proftably read by both
Episcopalians and Presbyterians.
The publication of the Revised Version
of the New Testament at this time gives
fresh interest to this commentary, which
has gone on pari paSSu under the con-
duct of an independent body of Biblical
scholars. We have them both now, and
it is in our power to compare them and
see in how far they have reached the
same results, and how far they have di-
verged, in the determination of the text,
and in its translation from the Greek into
the English.
The notes are brief. Special effort has
been made to present the results of la
borious igations--interpretations
considered untenable being allowed but
little space-in a condensed form. Topics
requiring fuller discussion are dealt
with separately in special notes at the
end of the Book or Chapter.
In the present volume the commentary
on Hebrews is by the Rev. William Kay,
d. D., Rector of Great Leghs; that on
james by Robert Scott, D. D., Dean of
Rochester that on First Peter by Canon
Cook; that on Second Peter by J. R.
Lumby, D. D., Norrisian Professor of
Divinity, Cambridge; that on the Epis-
ties of John by w. Alexander, D. D., Bish-
oP of Derry and Raphoe; that on Jude
by Dr. Lumby and that on Revelation
by Archdeacon Lee of Dublin.
DR.. Kay, in a mastery discussion of
the subject, defends the Pauline author
ship of the epistle to the Hebrews;
timely and gratifying view of this mach
controverted subject.
DR.. Scott discusses in his Introduction
the old question as to Uhat James is the
author Of the epistle which goes by that
name. He reaches the conclusion, after
n very satisfactory consideration of the
subject, that James of Jerusalem. the
brother Of our Lord, was an Apostle
James the Less, son Of Alph@us or Clopas.
He adds that there is every probability
that, accurately speaking, James the
brother Of our Lord, was in fact our