Acts - Geneva Series of Commentaries

This commentary on the book of Acts was written by J.A. Alexander, the third son of the famous Archibald Alexander, and an eminent Christian teacher in his own right. The Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia described him as the most remarkable linguist ever produced by America. Like his father, Alexander taught at Princeton Theological Seminary, occupying successively the chairs of Oriental and Biblical Literature, Church History, and New Testament Literature. His premature death was called by A.A. Hodge, ‘the most disastrous blow the institutions of Princeton ever experienced’.

Of this Commentary on Acts C. H. Spurgeon wrote, ‘In all respects a work of the highest merit’. J.H. Thornwell held the same opinion: ‘Alexander’s commentaries on Acts and Mark I regarded as models, as nearly perfection in their kind as human skill could make them, and I have been in the habit, not only of recommending them, but of insisting on my classes procuring and studying them’.

Alexander’s merit as a writer lies in his clarity and precision of thought. His great purpose is to state the meaning of the text of Scripture and the continuing demand for his commentaries is one proof of the extent to which he succeeded.

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Author

Joseph A. Alexander (1809-1860) was the third son of Archibald Alexander. From 1830 to 1833 he was adjunct professor of ancient languages and literature at the College of New Jersey, and then moved to Princeton Theological Seminary as an assistant to Charles Hodge, professor of oriental and biblical literature. In 1838 Alexander became associate professor, and succeeded Hodge in that chair in 1840. He transferred in 1851 to the chair of biblical and ecclesiastical history, and in 1859 to that of Hellenistic and New Testament literature until his death.