BISPING, August. - German Catholic exegete, born in Albersloh on 11 May 1811, died in Münster on 17 March 1884. Ordained priest in 1836, he became a privatdocent at the Theological Academy of Münster, extraordinary professor in 1850, full professor in 1855, and rector of the Academy in the years 1861-62 and 1875-76.
He was the first among modern Catholic exegetes to comment on the entire New Testament; first the Epistles of Paul (3 vols.), then the Gospels and Acts (4 vols.); finally the Catholic Epistles and the Apocalypse (2 vols.). These nine volumes, published over several years and editions, form his Exegetisches Handbuch zum N. T. (Münster 1854-76).
B.’s exegesis does not stand out for its originality, nor does it display depth of thought in places of some doctrinal importance. Particular reservations have been expressed regarding his commentary on the Apocalypse. However, brevity, clarity, and method of exposition are the chief merits of the work, which commends itself for its practicality.