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John Gill

John Gill (23 November 1697 - 14 October 1771) was an influential English Particular Baptist pastor, biblical scholar, and autodidact who wrote the first verse-by-verse commentary on the entire Bible by a Baptist author.

Biography & Ministry
  • Early Life: Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, Gill was self-taught in classical and ancient languages, mastering Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic as a young man.
  • Pastorates: He served briefly at Higham Ferrers (1718) before beginning a 51- to 52-year pastorate at Goat Yard Chapel (later Carter Lane) in Horselydown, Southwark, London, from 1719 until his death. His pulpit was later succeeded by Charles Spurgeon.
  • Academic Honors: He was awarded a Doctor of Divinity (DD) degree from the University of Aberdeen in 1748.
Major Works & Commentary
  • Magnum Opus (Exposition of the Old and New Testaments): Published between 1746 and 1763, this massive nine-volume set was the first comprehensive, verse-by-verse Bible commentary written by a Baptist scholar. It is widely noted for its deep integration of ancient rabbinical literature, patristic writings, and original-language exegesis.
  • Systematic Theologies: He authored A Body of Doctrinal Divinity (1767) and A Body of Practical Divinity (1770), representing some of the earliest systematic treatments of theology in the Baptist tradition.
  • Polemical & Doctrinal Works: He wrote The Cause of God and Truth (1735–1738) to defend Calvinistic sovereign grace against Arminian theology, as well as works defending the Trinity.
Theological Legacy
  • Calvinism & Hyper-Calvinism: Gill was a strict Calvinist whose emphasis on divine sovereignty led some historians to associate him with debates surrounding high/hyper-Calvinism, though he remained an active, faithful pastor.
  • Historical Impact: He helped preserve Particular Baptist orthodoxy in England and deeply influenced early American Baptists, including supporting the founding and funding of Brown University.

Published works

  • John Gill - Exposition
    John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible is a massive, verse-by-verse commentary covers all 66 books and 1'189 chapters of the Old and New Testaments.