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Adam Clarke Quotes

Powerful Adam Clarke for Daily Growth

About Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke (November 14, 1762 – July 28, 1832) was a prolific British theologian, Biblical scholar, and Methodist preacher, whose extensive work significantly influenced Biblical studies during his era. Born in Nottingham, England, Clarke demonstrated an early aptitude for learning, particularly in languages, which later became instrumental in his scholarly pursuits. Raised in a devout family, Clarke was deeply affected by the Methodist movement and its emphasis on personal piety and social action. He joined John Wesley's Methodist Society at age 16, committing himself to a life of service to God and others. In 1782, he was ordained as a Methodist minister, beginning his ministry in Yorkshire. Clarke's literary career took off in the early 1790s with the publication of his commentary on the Book of Revelation. This work was followed by a monumental seven-volume commentary on the Old and New Testaments, published between 1810 and 1831. Known as "Clarke's Commentary," this comprehensive work continues to be referenced by scholars today. In addition to his Biblical scholarship, Clarke wrote numerous hymns, including "Awake, My Soul! Arise!" and "Thee I Love, Thee I Adore." He also translated the New Testament into modern English and authored several books on theology and Methodism. Throughout his life, Clarke maintained a close relationship with Wesley, serving as his amanuensis in the latter years of Wesley's life. After Wesley's death, Clarke became one of the leading figures within Methodism. He was also a respected figure in academia, holding positions at several institutions, including the University of Cork and Kings College London. Adam Clarke's profound impact on Biblical studies and his significant contributions to Methodism continue to resonate in religious circles today. His works remain valuable resources for scholars seeking a deeper understanding of Scripture.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"God is love; and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."

This quote by Adam Clarke suggests that the essence of God is love, and those who live with love in their hearts are in harmony with God's nature. In other words, to truly understand and embody God, one should embrace love as a guiding principle in life, because love represents God's very presence within us. This quote encourages people to practice love, compassion, and kindness towards others, thereby creating an environment where God (love) resides.

"The Bible, in its original text, contains not a single word which can be proved by an appeal to secular history to have been written after the events it records."

The quote emphasizes that there is no evidence from secular history to suggest any part of the original Bible text was authored after the events it describes. This implies that the Bible, according to Adam Clarke, presents itself as a historical record that predates the events it chronicles.

"True religion is always simple; it is generally easy; and it is, above all things, natural."

This quote suggests that true religion is characterized by simplicity, ease, and a strong connection to human nature. It implies that authentic religious practice should not be complicated or unnatural; rather, it should align with our innate understanding of right and wrong, and should not require excessive complexity or difficulty to follow. The easier a religious practice is to understand and adhere to, the more likely it is to be genuinely reflective of its intended purpose.

"We ought to read all kinds of books, but as bread eaters should eat at stated meals, not by mere taste or caprice."

This quote by Adam Clarke encourages a balanced approach to reading, suggesting that while it's important to explore various types of literature, one should not do so haphazardly but rather consistently, much like eating meals at regular intervals instead of snacking randomly. In other words, a well-rounded reader is one who reads different genres and authors systematically and not merely based on personal preference or whim.

"The true Christian is not only a believer in Christ, but a follower of his example."

The quote suggests that genuine Christianity encompasses both faith in Jesus Christ as well as emulating His actions. In other words, it's essential to believe in Jesus, but true adherents should also strive to live their lives according to His teachings and example. This implies a commitment not just to the doctrines of Christianity, but also to the spirit of love, compassion, and selflessness that Jesus embodied.

This perfection is the restoration of man to the state of holiness from which he fell, by creating him anew in Christ Jesus, and restoring to him that image and likeness of God which he has lost.

- Adam Clarke

Christ, Image, Which, Anew

The Bible is proved to be a revelation from God, by the reasonableness and holiness of its precepts; all its commands, exhortations, and promises having the most direct tendency to make men wise, holy, and happy in themselves, and useful to one another.

- Adam Clarke

Happy, Revelation, Tendency, Precepts

He who is completely sanctified, or cleansed from all sin, and dies in this state, is fit for glory.

- Adam Clarke

Death, Glory, Sanctified, Cleansed

As preachers of the gospel of Jesus, do not expect worldly honors: these Jesus Christ neither took to himself, nor gave to his disciples.

- Adam Clarke

Jesus Christ, Christ, Took, Honors

If you go forward in the spirit of the original apostles and followers of Jesus Christ, trusting not in man but in the living God, he will enable you to pull down the strong holds of sin and Satan, and that work by which he is pleased will prosper in your hands.

- Adam Clarke

Strong, Hands, Trusting, Enable

It is to be regretted that few persons who have arrived at any degree of eminence or fame, have written Memorials of themselves, at least such as have embraced their private as well as their public life.

- Adam Clarke

Degree, Private, Regretted, Public Life

Deeply consider that it is your duty and interest to read the Holy Scriptures.

- Adam Clarke

Interest, Holy, Read, Scriptures

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, said an eminent scholar, have God for their Author, the Salvation of mankind for their end, and Truth without any mixture of error for their matter.

- Adam Clarke

New, Mankind, Salvation, Scriptures

Now an infinite happiness cannot be purchased by any price less than that which is infinite in value; and infinity of merit can only result from a nature that is infinitely divine or perfect.

- Adam Clarke

Perfect, Which, Infinitely, Infinity

As a revelation from God, they have stood the test of many ages; and as such maintained their ground against every species of enemy, and every mode of attack. Truth is mighty, and must prevail.

- Adam Clarke

Test, Against, Revelation, Mighty

But this Christ or Redeemer took not upon him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham, that is, human nature, that in the nature which sinned he might make the expiation required.

- Adam Clarke

Christ, Which, Took, Sinned

Let it ever be remembered that genuine faith in Christ will ever be productive of good works; for this faith worketh by love, as the apostle says, and love to God always produces obedience to his holy laws.

- Adam Clarke

Love, Always, Christ, Good Works

Few men can be said to have inimitable excellencies: let us watch them in their progress from infancy to manhood, and we shall soon be convinced that what they attained was the necessary consequence of the line they pursued, and the means they used.

- Adam Clarke

Soon, Line, Used, Manhood

Now it would be as absurd to deny the existence of God, because we cannot see him, as it would be to deny the existence of the air or wind, because we cannot see it.

- Adam Clarke

Existence, Deny, We Cannot, Wind

Whether the family of the Clarkes were of Norman extraction cannot be easily ascertained.

- Adam Clarke

Cannot, Whether, Were, Norman

The words contained in it were inspired by the Holy Spirit into the minds of faithful men, called Prophets and Seers in the Old Testament; and Evangelists and Apostles in the New.

- Adam Clarke

New, Old, Holy, Evangelist

Pride works frequently under a dense mask, and will often assume the garb of humility.

- Adam Clarke

Will, Works, Frequently, Assume

To suppose more than one supreme Source of infinite wisdom, power, and all perfections, is to assert that there is no supreme Being in existence.

- Adam Clarke

Existence, More, Infinite, Assert

If you be faithful, you will have that honor that comes from God: his Spirit will say in your hearts, Well done, good and faithful servants.

- Adam Clarke

Honor, Spirit, Will, Servants

Matthew being a constant attendant on our Lord, his history is an account of what he saw and heard; and, being influenced by the Holy Spirit, his history is entitled to the utmost degree of credibility.

- Adam Clarke

Constant, Matthew, Entitled, Attendant

However, all gifts seem now to be absorbed in one and a man must be either a Preacher or nothing.

- Adam Clarke

Now, However, Either, Absorb

Prayer requires more of the heart than of the tongue.

- Adam Clarke

Prayer, Tongue, More, Requires

Man may be considered as having a twofold origin - natural, which is common and the same to all - patronymic, which belongs to the various families of which the whole human race is composed.

- Adam Clarke

Which, Twofold, Having, Human Race

Even papists could not see that a moral evil was detained in the soul through its physical connection with the body; and that it required the dissolution of this physical connection before the moral contagion could be removed.

- Adam Clarke

Through, Could, Before, Moral Evil

Many talk much, and indeed well, of what Christ has done for us: but how little is spoken of what he is to do in us! and yet all that he has done for us is in reference to what he is to do in us.

- Adam Clarke

Christ, Many, Indeed, Spoken

To be filled with God is a great thing, to be filled with the fullness of God is still greater; to be filled with all the fullness of God is greatest of all.

- Adam Clarke

Still, Fullness, Filled, Great Thing

And hence he must be invisible; for a spirit cannot be seen by the eye of man: nor is there any thing in this principle contradictory to reason or experience.

- Adam Clarke

Reason, Spirit, Principle, Hence

It is the grace of God, that shows and condemns the sin that humbles us.

- Adam Clarke

Sin, Shows, Condemns, Grace

Remember that the word of God is not sent to particular persons, as if by name; and do not think you have no part in it, because you are not named there.

- Adam Clarke

Think, Part, Named, Sent

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