Robert Johnstone (??-??)
Professor in the United Presbyterian College of Edinburgh


Lectures, Exegetical and Practical, on the Epistle of James: with a New Translation of the epistle and Notes on the Greek Text - 1871 (at google books)


Lectures Exegetical and Practical on the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, with a Revised Translation of the Epistle and Notes on the Greek Text - 1875


The First Epistle of Peter: Revised Text, with Introduction and Commentary - 1888
Discoursing on the intended audience, composition, literary qualities, and semantics of the text, Robert Johnstone systematically examines the First Epistle of Peter. Johnstone moves chapter-by-chapter through the original Greek—with regard for varying translation and interpretation (the author compares the Westcott-Hort Greek New Testament, the Latin Vulgate, the MSS, and the Peshitta). Including extensive critical notes and annotation, Johnstone expounds key principles and dogma found in the text.

The commentary itself exhibits everywhere adequate learning and linguistic care and a clear and correct exegetical skill. The quality of an expositor of 1 Peter is put to its severest test . . . and his treatment must impress every reader with its fairness, balance, and solidarity.

—The Presbyterian Review

Robert Johnstone was Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis in the United Presbyterian College, Edinburgh. Johnstone later became Chair of New Testament at the University of Aberdeen.

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Dr. Robert Johnstone, Professor of New Testament Literature
in the United Presbyterian College, Edinburgh, has issued two
books during the past half year. One of these is published by

Messrs. Clark, and is on The First Epistle of Peter. It is intended

to aid students of the Greek text, and is perhaps even too full in
its grammatical and textual explanations. This however is a vice
that leans to virtue's side; and no one will question the conscientious
and painstaking diligence with which Dr. Johnstone
has applied himself to the accurate ascertainment of the author's
meaning. Turning to one of the crucial passages of the epistle,
we find that Dr. Johnstone understands that Christ's preaching to
the spirits in prison was accomplished during the lifetime and
through the agency of Noah. This interpretation is scarcely compatible
with the clause, (Greek clause) and although Dr. Johnstone
endeavours to show that (Greek work) is admissible


on his interpretation, we find in the numerous pages
devoted to the passage no explanation of the phrase, "the spirits

in prison," although it may be gathered from what is said that

the imprisonment referred to is their condition after death. Dr.

Johnstone's explanation of the references which the apostles made

to the expected coming of Christ is not satisfactory. " Whether

the apostles themselves, pondering the data which God had made

known to them, thought it likely that 'the end of all things'

would come during their own generation, is a question to which

we are not in a position to give an answer." This assertion seems

at all events a little out of place in a commentary on the words,

"the end of all things is at hand." In the main however

Dr. Johnstone's determination of the meaning of his author can

be accepted, and as a whole the commentary is full of the fruits

sound and exact scholarship, and of serious thought. It is the best


available aid to the study of the epistle with which it deals.
The other volume, issued for Dr. Johnstone by Messrs. Oliphant,

Anderson & ]'errier, is a second edition of his Lectures on the

Epistle of James. These are popular, and are yet based on a

careful examination of the text. They were delivered from the
pulpit to an ordinary congregation, and are admirably adapted for

preaching purposes. They give a lucid explanation of every verse,

and carry out its meaning into suitable applications to life and

character. Preachers will derive valuable assistance from the

volume.
M.A.RCUS DODS.