File Name: Godet, Frederick Louis - Commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1Co (9 vols)
File Submitter: Josh Bond
File Submitted: 01 Jan 2013
File Category: Commentaries
Author: Frederick Louis Godete-Sword Version: 9.x - 10.x
Frédéric Louis Godet was one of the most influential and widely-cited conservative scholars from nineteenth century Europe. Godet made lasting contributions to New Testament scholarship, especially the debate over biblical inspiration.
Difficult verses are not bypassed or given minimal treatment as is the case in some modern commentaries. Instead, Godet faces each problem squarely and suggests an explicit solution. When dealing with an interpretation problem, Godet's shows all viewpoints and gives reasons for accepting his view. The careful reader will understand the issues involved in each passage, regardless of whether the reader agrees with Godet's conclusion. A good student will arrive at his own interpretation of the passage.
Godet's commentaries received an asterisk from Cyril Barber in his guide book, Minister's Library, a conservative list of books for pastors. An asterisk means the resource is "most important and worthy of acquisition".
Luke (2 volumes): An exhaustive, technical commentary that ably defends the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith while expounding the text. Cyril Barber, says it "deserves a place on the shelf of every pastor." Today, this resource is still widely quotes by modern authors and is respected for its exegetical style and authenticity defense.
John (3 volumes): "A monumental work by a great theologian and an able defender of the faith," says Cyril Barber. Godet is thorough and exhaustive without being elaborate and verbose. Godet promotes divine inspiration Almost one half of the first volume contains an introduction to the authorship issue, the history of Johannine authenticity, the dating of composition, and a broad survey of all exegetical, interpretive, and historical material on the Gospel of John.
Romans (2 volumes): This exhaustive and technical commentary critically examines the original text, discussing key doctrines and their relationship with the rest of scripture. The author surveys the varying theories, refutes theological liberals who differ with him on important points of doctrine, and adequately defends his views. Cyril Barber says it is "a valuable addition to a pastor's library."
1 Corinthians (2 volumes): Godet examines the historical situation of the church in Corinth, church discipline, impurity, and marriage. Godet departs from the dominant trend in nineteenth century biblical criticism by not sacrificing sound exegesis and interpretation to comply with historical, textual, and modernist criticism. Godet's scholarly, exegetical comments on the epistle "make this work one of the outstanding treatments of all time" (Cyril Barber, in the Minister's Library).
e-Sword Edition:
The e-Sword edition is section by section, verse by verse, with unicode Greek and Hebrew. This resource is quite extensive with over 15 megabytes of text.
The book comments for John contain a book within itself, addressing its authorship, authenticity, and other exegetical, interpretive, and historical issues.
Thanks to Peter for the text and recognition of this text's value. Thanks to Doctor Dave for looking up Cyril Barber's thoughts on this commentary.
About Frédéric Louis Godet
Frédéric Louis Godet, 1812 to 1900, was a Swiss Protestant theologian. After studying theology, he became a professor of theology. He also held a pastorate from 1851 to 1866. He became one of the founders of the free Evangelical Church of Neuchâtel in 1873 and later, a professor in its theological faculty.
Godet is best remembered today as a conservative scholar with lasting contributions to New Testament scholarship, especially the debate over biblical inspiration.
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