Godbey's Bible Commentary

Bibble Commentary

Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

William B. Godbey was one of the most influential evangelists of the Wesleyan-holiness movement in its formative period (1880-1920). Thousands of people experienced conversion or entire sanctification under his ministry, and Godbey gained a reputation for having revivals everywhere he went.

A prolific author, he dictated over 230 books and pamphlets and wrote numerous articles for holiness periodicals. He produced a new translation of the New Testament in 1901, and published a seven-volume Commentary on the New Testament (1896-1900).

Godbey's publications, along with his preaching and "Bible lessons" at camp meetings, earned for the evangelist a widespread reputation among "holiness people" as the "Greek scholar" and "Bible commentator."

Through his publications and sermons, Godbey joined a limited number of other ministers who introduced premillennialism into the holiness movement.

Godbey was also one of the principal agents responsible for keeping the "tongues movement" out of the rest of the holiness movement.

Godbey encouraged large numbers of people to join the new holiness denominations, and through his preaching and publications shaped popular opinion on holiness and millenarian doctrines.