From his introduction to COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW
(Hilary's verse-by-verse, section-by-section interpretation -
application of the First Gospel) -- Translator-Editor D.H. Williams
of Baylor University explains what the earliest Christian
writers kept in mind as they wrote for peers and fellow believers:
In keeping with the practice of previous
ancient commentators (Origen, Tertullian,
Cyprian), Hilary perceives the Gospel text
as a literary whole, and its message as a
doctrinal unity. If the Gospel is allowed to
speak for itself, the inquirer will be able to
find in any given pericope a general
coherence. The reader does not bring
his or her own interpretation to the text.
Whether obvious or hidden, the meaning
of the text is already within the text. Hilary
operates on the principle that Scripture
should interpret Scripture. Through COMMENTARY
on MATTHEW, references to what has already
been said in the text are common, and Hilary
is content to let certain parts of MATTHEW
interpret other parts. If followed faithfully,
there may be conflicting views about the
proper interpretation, but these are unnecessary.
"The Lord instructs through things as well as
through words"
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