1&2 Corinthians

by Charles Hodge

AV is included with these notes.
Charles Hodge (December 27, 1797 - June 19, 1878) was an important Presbyterian theologian and principal of Princeton Theological Seminary between 1851 and 1878. He was a leading exponent of the Princeton theology, an orthodox Calvinist theological tradition in America during the 19th century. He argued strongly for the authority of the Bible as the Word of God. Many of his ideas were adopted in the 20th century by Fundamentalists and Evangelicals.

Hodge wrote many biblical and theological works. He began writing early in his theological career and continued publishing until his death. In 1835 he published his Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, which is considered to be his greatest exegetical work. Other works followed at intervals of longer or shorter duration - Constitutional History of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (1840); Way of Life (1841, republished in England, translated into other languages, and circulated to the extent of 35,000 copies in America); Commentary on Ephesians (1856); on First Corinthians (1857); on Second Corinthians (1859). His magnum opus is the Systematic Theology (1871-1873), of 3 volumes and extending to 2,260 pages. His last book, What is Darwinism? appeared in 1874. In addition to all this it must be remembered that he contributed upward of 130 articles to the Princeton Review, many of which, besides exerting a powerful influence at the time of their publication, have since been gathered into volumes, and as Selection of Essays and Reviews from the Princeton Review (1857) and Discussions in Church Polity (ed. W. Durant, 1878) have taken a permanent place in theological literature.

This record of Hodge's literary life is suggestive of the great influence that he exerted. But properly to estimate that influence, it must be remembered that 3,000 ministers of the Gospel passed under his instruction, and that to him was accorded the rare privilege, during the course of a long life, of achieving distinction as a teacher, exegete, preacher, controversialist, ecclesiastic, and systematic theologian. As a teacher he had few equals; and if he did not display popular gifts in the pulpit, he revealed homiletical powers of a high order in the "conferences" on Sabbath afternoons, where he spoke with his accustomed clearness and logical precision, but with great spontaneity and amazing tenderness and unction.

Hodge's literary powers were seen at their best in his contributions to the Princeton Theological Review, many of which are acknowledged masterpieces of controversial writing. They cover a wide range of topics, from apologetic questions that concern common Christianity to questions of ecclesiastical administration, in which only Presbyterians have been supposed to take interest. But the questions in debate among American theologians during the period covered by Hodge's life belonged, for the most part, to the departments of anthropology and soteriology; and it was upon these, accordingly, that his polemic powers were mainly applied.

All of the books that he authored have remained in print over a century after his death.

Genres: Theology, Reference, Christianity

690 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1974

About the author

Charles Hodge (1797–1878) was an important Presbyterian theologian and principal of Princeton Theological Seminary between 1851 and 1878. He was a leading exponent of the Princeton theology, an orthodox Calvinist theological tradition in America during the 19th century. He argued strongly for the authority of the Bible as the Word of God. Many of his ideas were adopted in the 20th century by Fundamentalists and Evangelicals.

Reviews

[Scott Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles Hodge was a Professor of Systematic Theology at Princeton Seminary during the mid-19th century. He is perhaps best known for his three-volume, Systematic Theology, published in 1873. However, I have long appreciated Dr. Hodge for his commentary on First Corinthians. I am thankful to have been able to systematically read his commentary on both letters to the Corinthians. Indeed, Hodge’s gift for systematic theology is evident throughout this commentary with weighty discussions regarding the trinity, theanthropos, etc. The reader should be aware, however, that 19th-century readers were assumed to know Latin. This can be challenging whenever church fathers were quoted. My favorite section of this commentary remains his exegesis of the “charismata” sections of First Corinthians chapters 12 – 14. This commentary and F. Dale Bruner’s “A Theology of the Holy Spirit” provide a well-rounded understanding of this complex subject. Regarding Christian encouragement, allow me to quote Hodge in 2 Corinthians 5:14, “Morality does not make us religious, but religion makes us moral. In like manner, benevolence and piety do not make men Christians, but Christianity makes men benevolent and devout.” I pray this commentary will remain an integral standard in current-day Christian libraries.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Hodge is an exemplary theologian. The modern reader—even the lay theologian beyond the average evangelical—will find a great deal of grammar analysis in this commentary...which isn’t a bad thing, as modern readers tend to be deficient in historic linguistics. Just be aware that this commentary isn’t for eisegetical ponderings over an English version. Hodge’s purpose is for us to understand the Biblical text AS IT WAS WRITTEN, not the modern commentary practice of appreciating a tertiary translation for how it emotionally moves the reader.

[Stephen P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received several of Hodge's commentaries from my father limited library upon his death and recently decided to read the commentaries on the Corinthians epistles. If considering this commentary you should be aware that it seems that it was written for Hodge's seminary students. My father was not a seminarian, but seems to have benefited from them, as I did. Not having any language training, there were many sections which I had to skip when Hodge was commenting on aspects of Greek that I was not able to comprehend. However, I found some of his insights so profound that it overcame the difficulties mentioned. One of the things that I like about Hodge that I found in other of his commentaries and remained true in this one, is his willingness to introduce contrary opinions of others and then defend his take on things. I recommend this, in spite of the difficulties mentioned.

[Jay Munroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as a reference, outstanding.

[Nathan White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, one of the best commentaries on 1st Corinthians. Exegetical, theological, practical. Highly recommended.