Digital Logos Edition
Considered one of the most important Catholic theologians and Bible commentators, Cornelius à Lapide’s writings on the Bible have remained critical to the Catholic Church for centuries. Although à Lapide’s commentaries were written from the Catholic perspective, Christians of all denominations worldwide have benefited from his sound exegesis and the wide-breadth of learning his works provide. Brimming with spiritual devotion and scholarly acumen, à Lapide’s commentaries weave together his profound insights into the biblical texts alongside commentary from many Church Fathers, including the Venerable Bede, Cyril of Alexandria, St. Augustine, Tertullian, St. Jerome, Origen, and more.
Volume 5 of The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide provides verse-by-verse commentary on the Gospel According to John, chapters 1–11. Lapide provides an in-depth introduction to the life and Gospel of John, and also discusses the contributions to the study of John’s Gospel from numerous Church Fathers, such as S. Jerome, Baronius, S. Cyril, S. Augustine, S. John Chrysostom, S. Euthymius, and more.
With the Logos edition, all Scripture passages in The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide are tagged and appear on mouse-over. This makes these resources more powerful and easier to access than ever before for scholarly work or personal Bible study. With the advanced search features of Logos Bible Software, you can perform powerful searches by topic or scripture reference.
“And yet He seems to reprove her, that He might teach, not her, but us, that in things pertaining to God, and miracles, parents have no right or authority. They must not be done in accordance with their affections and desires, but only for God and charity’s sake.” (Page 84)
“For Simon the Cananite, who was the bridegroom, was the son of Cleophas, the brother of Joseph the husband of the Blessed Virgin.” (Page 81)
“Fourthly and rightly: Certain and fixed is the period of day, that is, of twelve hours, within which any one may walk without stumbling, because he has the light by which he sees and avoids obstacles: so and with equal certainty the time of My life is fixed by God the Father, in which I have to live and do the works which I have been sent to perform. This therefore I call the day; and in this I have no danger to fear from the Jews for Myself or for you, nor can I be slain before the time foreordained for Me by My Father; that is, before the setting and night of My life shall come.” (Page 391)
“And who does not see that the Flesh of Christ is more profitable than the mere bread of Calvin, even” (Page 253)
“He gave the night to prayer, the day to teaching, setting an example to apostolic men” (Page 293)
His method makes his commentary not only a valuable work for proficient students of Holy Scriptures, but it further brings the study of the sacred writings within the reach of all educated minds, and at the same time provides a delightful fund of sacred instruction and devotional reading. Cornelius à Lapide loses none of its charms in the clear, pure, vigorous English of its present translation; indeed, we confess that it seems to borrow a new beauty and allurement from its English dress.
—The Month
We set a high store on this commentary. There is about it a clearness of thought, a many-sided method of looking at truth, an insight into the deeper meaning, and a fearless devotion to what appears to him to be truth, which lend a peculiar charm to all that he writes. We heartily commend the work to our ministerial readers.
—Literary World
It is one of the most learned and richest commentaries that have ever been written. They are a storehouse for the preacher and a valuable aid to the devout lovers of the Word of God among the laity.
—Catholic World
A very mine of research and exegetical learning of the rarest kind.
—Standard
It is one of those few ‘books which are books,’ an unfailing magazine of instruction and devotion of the profoundest views of the Holy Scripture and theology in general, and one of the most valuable and important recently issued from the press.
—Church Review
The varied and solid learning, the intense theological acumen, combined with verbal exegesis of the most comprehensive and practical character, and last, and by no means least, the deep and spiritual insight into the more remote and hidden sense of the Gospel narrative are here displayed in thoroughly idiomatic English, which reads like an original composition rather that a translation.
—The Pilot
To say one word in recommendation of the great work of a Lapide is superfluous, but it is our simple duty to call attention to the great work now being done by Mr. Mossman for English readers.
—Literary Churchman
The commentary is learned, intelligent, and full.
—The Expositor
Mr. Mossman has done his part well, as an able and sympathetic scholar might be expected to do; and the books, both in execution and translation, its worthy of its author.
—Saturday Review
Cornelius à Lapide (1567–1637) was born at Bocholt in Limburg, Belgium. Educated in philosophy and theology at the University of Douai and the Catholic University of Leuven, Lapide was ordained in 1595. Lapide was a professor of philosophy, Hebrew, and theology for over 20 years before dedicating himself full time to writing and editing his celebrated commentaries.