J. C. Ryle (1816–1900)
Author of Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots
About the Author
J. C. Ryle (1816-1900) was the first Bishop of Liverpool and an exemplar of someone of evangelical faith working in a mixed denomination. He first started writing to pay off his fathers debts, and his books have remained in print ever since.
Image credit: Public Domain
Series
Works by J. C. Ryle
Thoughts for Young Men: Addressing the Greatest Challenges in a Young Man's Life (1996) 2,059 copies, 6 reviews
Practical Religion: Being Plain Papers on Daily Duties, Experience Dangers and Privileges of Professing Christianity (1977) 1,062 copies, 2 reviews
Old Paths: Being Plain Statements of Some of the Weightier Matters of Christianity (1972) 409 copies, 1 review
Are You Ready for the End of Time?: Understanding Future Events from Prophetic Passages of the Bible (2006) 129 copies
The Agency That Transformed a Nation: Lessons from the Great Awakening of the Eighteenth Century (2011) 44 copies
The Cross [Annotated, Updated]: Crucified with Christ, and Christ Alive in Me (2019) 25 copies, 1 review
Straightforward Thoughts for Young Men: What Every Young Man Must Consider Now, Before It's Too Late (2019) 22 copies
Coming Events and Present Duties: What the Bible Tells Us Clearly about Christ’s Return [Updated and Annotated] (2014) 21 copies
Principles for Churchmen: A Manual of Positive Statements on Doubtful or Disputed Points (1884) 11 copies
Inspiration of the Scriptures 10 copies
Holiness [Annotated, Updated]: For the Will of God Is Your Sanctification – Hebrews 6:1 4 copies, 1 review
Sanctification 4 copies
The Cross 4 copies
Bible Reading 3 copies
Remember Lot's Wife 3 copies
Thoughts on the Gospels 3 copies
Are You Happy? 3 copies
Are You Fighting? 3 copies
Nicholas Ridley, Bishop and Martyr 2 copies
Strijd de goede strijd 2 copies
Hoe gaat het met u? 2 copies
Parenting for Eternity: 17 Practical Biblical Principles for Effective and Successful Child Training (2011) 2 copies
Seek The Lord Early 2 copies
No Uncertain Sound and Other Sermons 2 copies
Experiencing God 2 copies
Spiritual Leadership 2 copies
Can There Be Unity and Other Works 2 copies
Flee from Idolatry 2 copies
Guide to Christian Conduct 2 copies
Bethany: Being expository thoughts, with notes, on the eleventh chapter of St. John's Gospel (1898) 2 copies
Home Truths, Volume 8 of 8 2 copies
Our Souls 1 copy
Verwacht U Hem? 1 copy
Reality 1 copy
Be Zealous! 1 copy
Wheat or Chaff? 1 copy
Santidad 1 copy
Aspecte ale Sfințeniei 1 copy
JOHN - VOL 3 1 copy
JOHN - VOL 2 1 copy
Five English Martyrs 1 copy
Wie hem vroeg zoekt 1 copy
Perlas cristianas 1 copy
None Other Name 1 copy
The Lord's Table 1 copy
Jesus Alene 1 copy
Holiness [Annotated, Updated]: For the Will of God Is Your Sanctification – 1 Thessalonians 4:3 1 copy
Lest we forget: Bishops Latimer and Ridley, their lives and times, their writings and martyrdom (1925) 1 copy
Thoughts on Immortality with Some Remarks on Canon Farrar's “Eternal Hope” and Kindred Subjects 1 copy
Old Paths, Book 2 1 copy
Having the Spirit 1 copy
Perseverance 1 copy
Election 1 copy
Old Paths, Book 1 1 copy
Our Debt to the Reformation 1 copy
The World / The Best Friend 1 copy
The Battle for Christ 1 copy
The Lord's Supper 1 copy
The Good Fight 1 copy
Reading your Bible 1 copy
Justification 1 copy
Stand Firm and Fight On 1 copy
Christian Love! 1 copy
The True Church 1 copy
Vier predikaties 1 copy
De goede keus 1 copy
Training of Children 1 copy
I Hope! 1 copy
Associated Works
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas (2008) — Contributor, some editions — 510 copies, 2 reviews
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter (2009) — Contributor, some editions — 386 copies, 4 reviews
Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. 1: Daily Devotional Collection from Inspired Christian Authors (2016) 2 copies
Bible Explorer — Contributor — 1 copy
E-Sword [software] — Contributor — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Ryle, J. C.
- Legal name
- Ryle, John Charles
- Birthdate
- 1816-05-10
- Date of death
- 1900-06-10
- Gender
- male
- Education
- Christ Church, Oxford University (BA|1838|MA|1871|DD|1880)
Eton College, Eton, Berkshire, England, UK - Occupations
- curate (Exbury, Hampshire)
rector (St Thomas's, Winchester)
rector (Helmingham, Suffolk)
vicar (Stradbroke)
canon (Norwich, honorary)
bishop (Liverpool) (show all 8)
author
writer - Organizations
- Church of England (ordained 1841)
Anglican Bishop of Liverpool (1880) - Short biography
- J.C. Ryle was a prolific writer, vigorous preacher, faithful pastor, husband of three wives (widowed three times) and the father to five children. He was thoroughly evangelical in his doctrine and uncompromising in his Biblical principles.
After being in Pastoral ministry in England for 38 years, in 1880 (at age 64) Ryle became the first Anglican Bishop of Liverpool and remained there for 20 years. He retired in 1900 (at age 83) and died later that same year at age 84.
► See more about J.C. Ryle at http://jcrylequotes.com/ - Nationality
- UK
- Birthplace
- Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, UK
- Places of residence
- Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
- Place of death
- Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, UK
- Burial location
- All Saints Church, Childwall, Liverpool, England, UK
- Map Location
- England, UK
Members
Reviews
This book was truly amazing. JC Ryle states at the outset that he chose hymns specifically for those who struggle with poor health, and that he wished to centre their thoughts on Christ. By doing so, he created a volume of hymns that is both encouraging and worshipful.
In addition to this, Ryle also selected hymns that were less well known so that his readers could experience new hymns, rather than those they have heard many times before. He admits that some of these hymns are less popular show more because of irregular metre or other issues. I must say that he succeeded in his choice, as I only recognised four out of the 300 hymns. And I know plenty of hymns.
I listened to the Librivox audiobook, which has the title "Hymns and Spiritual Songs". The narration was impeccable, and is definitely one of the reasons I appreciated this book so much.
As good as the narration was, I still wish I could have a hardcopy of this book. I'd love to be able to hold it in my hands and dip into it on a whim. I could probably find a digital version, but it's one of those books you want to hold and experience more tangibly.
On a final note, I found Victorian Christianity's attitudes about illness and death quite different to those of today. The hymnodists spoke with great surety, openness and hope about heaven. Their faith and acceptance in their suffering was refreshing compared to what I see in both the secular and Christian world. Too often today the patient is blamed for their illness, either for lack of faith or a positive outlook. Disease is a battle in which we either win, or lose in death. Whereas the hymn writers represented in this book accepted suffering as part of life. They saw God as healer, but they also viewed their eventual death as a rest and a final victory.
It's only early in the year, but I think it's safe to say this book will go down as one of my top reads for 2018. show less
In addition to this, Ryle also selected hymns that were less well known so that his readers could experience new hymns, rather than those they have heard many times before. He admits that some of these hymns are less popular show more because of irregular metre or other issues. I must say that he succeeded in his choice, as I only recognised four out of the 300 hymns. And I know plenty of hymns.
I listened to the Librivox audiobook, which has the title "Hymns and Spiritual Songs". The narration was impeccable, and is definitely one of the reasons I appreciated this book so much.
As good as the narration was, I still wish I could have a hardcopy of this book. I'd love to be able to hold it in my hands and dip into it on a whim. I could probably find a digital version, but it's one of those books you want to hold and experience more tangibly.
On a final note, I found Victorian Christianity's attitudes about illness and death quite different to those of today. The hymnodists spoke with great surety, openness and hope about heaven. Their faith and acceptance in their suffering was refreshing compared to what I see in both the secular and Christian world. Too often today the patient is blamed for their illness, either for lack of faith or a positive outlook. Disease is a battle in which we either win, or lose in death. Whereas the hymn writers represented in this book accepted suffering as part of life. They saw God as healer, but they also viewed their eventual death as a rest and a final victory.
It's only early in the year, but I think it's safe to say this book will go down as one of my top reads for 2018. show less
When I think of an Anglican bishop, I don’t think of a rural parson writing evangelical tracts for low-wage agricultural laborers; but then, I never met John Charles (J. C.) Ryle. Through the second half of the 19th century, his preaching and writing in the best traditions of evangelical English Calvinism were so engaging, profound, and gospel-centered that in 1880 he landed the bishopric of the brand-new Diocese of Liverpool. Despite his elevation to high status, he never lost the heart show more of a country preacher who loved Jesus and wanted you to love him too.
I didn’t know that Ryle was such a tract writer, but he published hundreds over the course of his life. One of his favorite annual traditions was to write a Christmas tract, reminding his parish of the reason for the season, encouraging them to step aside from mulled wine and mistletoe for a few minutes to contemplate Christ. Andrew Atherstone, Professor of Modern Anglicanism at Oxford University, does us the service of compiling five of these Christmas tracts into “Christmas Thoughts,” refreshing a modern audience with the heart of a man long entered into the rest he so deeply desired.
Rest in Christ is the thread Ryle weaves through all five tracts: “Real heart-rest is never to be found except in heart-union with Jesus Christ.” Even as curate and vicar in a sleepy rural district, Ryle could not have been unaware of the social ferment bubbling in England. Though Darwin and Marx published their respective magna opera after Ryle published these tracts, the streams of biological science and Industrial Revolution were already carving new channels for the river of time. Rest is hard to come by in unrestful times, and Ryle spared no effort to remind his readers where to find it.
Notably, Ryle doesn’t ground his hopes for happiness in Queen and Country, but in personal submission to a rule greater than the British Crown: “There is no true inward happiness until the true king is on the throne.” In my American context, in this Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Six, I appreciate this emphasis more than ever. I can’t say what Ryle would make of our rising tide of Christian Nationalists, who ground their hopes in a political and cultural dominance of their sectarian interpretation(s) of the faith. Ryle could afford to write casually of England as a Christian nation, and I can’t speculate on his reaction to an England that is largely post-Christian. All that said, the Ryle of the mid-nineteenth century is the one who speaks to me: “Rest not, rest not till you have trustful, loving, experimental, hopeful thoughts of Christ.”
If you think I’m dragging too many current events into timeless devotionals, I can only say that (in my mind, anyway) I’m contextualizing these precious thoughts just as Ryle did. His tracts are very contemporary and very British, drawing on illustrations such as a monument erected by Queen Victoria to a daughter of Charles I, the Glen Croe pass in Scotland, Mr. Standfast in “Pilgrim’s Progress,” Shakespeare’s “Troilus and Cressida,” and the common spiritual life shared by a converted Englishman and a converted “Hindoo” of India. Ryle knew that a faith detached from contemporary life is a meaningless jumble of words, a work done without love, a clanging cymbal. The fact that I can transplant his tracts from 150-year-old British soil to my modern American climate, and eat the fruit thereof with profit and joy, is a testament to the wisdom of building one’s hopes on the rock of Christ instead of on the sands of whatever has you hot and bothered today.
Today, indeed, is just a brief introduction to a very long tomorrow. Ryle had already buried one wife by the time he wrote the first tract in this collection, and he would bury a second before writing the last. He would survive his third wife by 11 years, and felt deeply the thinness of this world compared with the one to come. He urges his readers to consider their final destination, not in the language of fire and brimstone (though he affirms a belief in hell), but in the language of eternal rest open to all. Social status, national citizenship, and geographic location offer no advantage in God’s economy of grace freely given: “All graves are equally near to Paradise.” I can think of no greater summation of the gospel than this, that Christ has changed the doorway to Sheol into the entrance of Paradise.
Whatever Ryle would think of a vastly different and post-Christian world, I have no doubt he would be saddened by the fate of his bishopric. At the time of this writing, the Diocese of Liverpool has been under an interim bishop for more than a year after the previous one resigned over allegations of sexual misconduct. The seat has fallen far from the stature of its first occupant; and yet I think that, after the first wave of discouragement, Ryle would reorient himself heavenward. God’s true children, he wrote, “are still at school. They are daily learning wisdom, though slowly and with much trouble, and often needing to be reminded of their past lessons by chastisement and the rod. Their holidays are yet to come.” Christian nations come and go. Diocesan authorities rise and fall. The king of glory reigns still, and eye hath not seen what he hath prepared for them that love him. show less
I didn’t know that Ryle was such a tract writer, but he published hundreds over the course of his life. One of his favorite annual traditions was to write a Christmas tract, reminding his parish of the reason for the season, encouraging them to step aside from mulled wine and mistletoe for a few minutes to contemplate Christ. Andrew Atherstone, Professor of Modern Anglicanism at Oxford University, does us the service of compiling five of these Christmas tracts into “Christmas Thoughts,” refreshing a modern audience with the heart of a man long entered into the rest he so deeply desired.
Rest in Christ is the thread Ryle weaves through all five tracts: “Real heart-rest is never to be found except in heart-union with Jesus Christ.” Even as curate and vicar in a sleepy rural district, Ryle could not have been unaware of the social ferment bubbling in England. Though Darwin and Marx published their respective magna opera after Ryle published these tracts, the streams of biological science and Industrial Revolution were already carving new channels for the river of time. Rest is hard to come by in unrestful times, and Ryle spared no effort to remind his readers where to find it.
Notably, Ryle doesn’t ground his hopes for happiness in Queen and Country, but in personal submission to a rule greater than the British Crown: “There is no true inward happiness until the true king is on the throne.” In my American context, in this Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-Six, I appreciate this emphasis more than ever. I can’t say what Ryle would make of our rising tide of Christian Nationalists, who ground their hopes in a political and cultural dominance of their sectarian interpretation(s) of the faith. Ryle could afford to write casually of England as a Christian nation, and I can’t speculate on his reaction to an England that is largely post-Christian. All that said, the Ryle of the mid-nineteenth century is the one who speaks to me: “Rest not, rest not till you have trustful, loving, experimental, hopeful thoughts of Christ.”
If you think I’m dragging too many current events into timeless devotionals, I can only say that (in my mind, anyway) I’m contextualizing these precious thoughts just as Ryle did. His tracts are very contemporary and very British, drawing on illustrations such as a monument erected by Queen Victoria to a daughter of Charles I, the Glen Croe pass in Scotland, Mr. Standfast in “Pilgrim’s Progress,” Shakespeare’s “Troilus and Cressida,” and the common spiritual life shared by a converted Englishman and a converted “Hindoo” of India. Ryle knew that a faith detached from contemporary life is a meaningless jumble of words, a work done without love, a clanging cymbal. The fact that I can transplant his tracts from 150-year-old British soil to my modern American climate, and eat the fruit thereof with profit and joy, is a testament to the wisdom of building one’s hopes on the rock of Christ instead of on the sands of whatever has you hot and bothered today.
Today, indeed, is just a brief introduction to a very long tomorrow. Ryle had already buried one wife by the time he wrote the first tract in this collection, and he would bury a second before writing the last. He would survive his third wife by 11 years, and felt deeply the thinness of this world compared with the one to come. He urges his readers to consider their final destination, not in the language of fire and brimstone (though he affirms a belief in hell), but in the language of eternal rest open to all. Social status, national citizenship, and geographic location offer no advantage in God’s economy of grace freely given: “All graves are equally near to Paradise.” I can think of no greater summation of the gospel than this, that Christ has changed the doorway to Sheol into the entrance of Paradise.
Whatever Ryle would think of a vastly different and post-Christian world, I have no doubt he would be saddened by the fate of his bishopric. At the time of this writing, the Diocese of Liverpool has been under an interim bishop for more than a year after the previous one resigned over allegations of sexual misconduct. The seat has fallen far from the stature of its first occupant; and yet I think that, after the first wave of discouragement, Ryle would reorient himself heavenward. God’s true children, he wrote, “are still at school. They are daily learning wisdom, though slowly and with much trouble, and often needing to be reminded of their past lessons by chastisement and the rod. Their holidays are yet to come.” Christian nations come and go. Diocesan authorities rise and fall. The king of glory reigns still, and eye hath not seen what he hath prepared for them that love him. show less
First sentence: The Gospel of John, which begins with these verses, is in many respects very unlike the other three Gospels. It contains many things which they omit. It omits many things which they contain.
It has been a long time since I reviewed J.C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew. It was a GREAT read. John being my particular favorite gospel, I decided to read J.C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John in anticipation of Lent/Easter season. It was a show more WONDERFUL read.
This one is essentially a commentary on a single book of the Bible, the gospel of John. The book divides each chapter into sections. It will print the Scripture itself [not just a reference] AND then provide expository commentary on Scripture. I love it when commentaries take the time to share the Scripture itself instead of just expecting you to have your Bible open as well. Being printed in the nineteenth century--originally--I'm guessing that it is likely the King James Version being used.
J.C. Ryle was a GREAT preacher and teacher. I love his work. I agree with most of what I've read. His work can be convicting for sure.
Quotes from John 1 commentary:
If no one less than the Eternal God, the Creator and Preserver of all things, could take away the sin of the world, sin must be a far more abominable thing in the sight of God than most men suppose. The right measure of sin's sinfulness is the dignity of Him who came into the world to save sinners. If Christ is so great, then sin must indeed be sinful!
When He rose again, as the Head of the body of believers, He rose not as a mere man, but as God. Let these things sink deeply into our hearts. The second Adam is far greater than the first Adam was. The first Adam was only man, and so he fell. The second Adam was God as well as man, and so He completely conquered.
No man ever errs on the side of giving too much honor to God the Son. Christ is the meeting-point between the Trinity and the sinner's soul. "He that honors not the Son, honors not the Father which sent Him." (John 5: 23.)
Let us take heed that in all our thoughts of Christ, we first think of Him as John the Baptist here represents Him. Let us serve him faithfully as our Master. Let us obey Him loyally as our King. Let us study His teaching as our Prophet. Let us walk diligently after Him as our Example. Let us look anxiously for Him as our coming Redeemer of body as well as soul. But above all, let us prize Him as our Sacrifice, and rest our whole weight on His death as an atonement for sin. Let His blood be more precious in our eyes every year we live. Whatever else we glory in about Christ, let us glory above all things in His cross. This is the corner-stone, this is the citadel, this is the rule of true Christian theology. We know nothing rightly about Christ, until we see him with John the Baptist's eyes, and can rejoice in Him as "the Lamb that was slain."
Christ is a COMPLETE savior. He "takes away sin." He did not merely make vague proclamations of pardon, mercy, and forgiveness. He "took" our sins upon Himself, and carried them away. He allowed them to be laid upon Himself, and "bore them in His own body on the tree." (1 Pet. 2: 24.) The sins of every one that believes on Jesus are made as though they had never been sinned at all. The Lamb of God has taken them clean away.
Christ is a PERPETUAL and UNWEARIED Savior. He "takes away" sin. He is daily taking it away from every one that believes on Him--daily purging, daily cleansing, daily washing the souls of His people, daily granting and applying fresh supplies of mercy. He did not cease to work for His saints, when He died for them on the cross. He lives in heaven as a Priest, to present His sacrifice continually before God. In grace as well as is providence, Christ works still. He is ever taking away sin.
Christ must be set forth again and again, as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." The story of grace must be told repeatedly--line upon line, and precept upon precept. It is the constant dropping which wears away the stone. The promise shall never be broken, that "God's word shall not return unto him void." (Isaiah. 55:11.)
Do we find it hard to see Christ in the Old Testament, because we do not see His name? Let us be sure that the fault is all our own. It is our spiritual vision which is to blame, and not the book. The eyes of our understanding need to be enlightened. The veil has yet to be taken away. Let us pray for a more humble, childlike, and teachable spirit, and let us take up "Moses and the prophets" again. Christ is there, though our eyes may not yet have seen Him. May we never rest until we can subscribe to our Lord's words about the Old Testament Scriptures, "They are they which testify of me." (John 5: 39.)
Commentary on John 3
No man is the author of his own existence, and no man can quicken his own soul. We might as well expect a dead man to give himself life, as expect a natural man to make himself spiritual. A power from above must be put in exercise, even that same power which created the world. (2 Cor. 4:6.)
Let us take heed that our views of the love of God are Scriptural and well-defined. The subject is one on which error abounds on either side. On the one hand we must beware of vague and exaggerated opinions. We must maintain firmly that God hates wickedness, and that the end of all who persist in wickedness will be destruction. It is not true that God's love is "lower than hell." It is not true that God so loved the world that all mankind will be finally saved, but that He so loved the world that He gave His Son to be the Savior of all who believe. His love is offered to all men freely, fully, honestly, and unreservedly, but it is only through the one channel of Christ's redemption. He that rejects Christ cuts himself off from God's love, and will perish everlastingly. On the other hand, we must beware of narrow and contracted opinions. We must not hesitate to tell any sinner that God loves him. It is not true that God cares for none but His own elect, or that Christ is not offered to any but those who are ordained to eternal life. There is a "kindness and love" in God towards all mankind. It was in consequence of that love that Christ came into the world, and died upon the cross. Let us not be wise above that which is written, or more systematic in our statements than Scripture itself. God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. God is not willing that any should perish. God would have all men to be saved. God loves the world. (John 6:32; Titus 3:4; 1 John 4:10; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4; Ezek. 33:11.)
When Christ died upon the cross, our many sins were laid upon Him. He was made "sin" for us. He was made "a curse" for us. (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13.) By His death He purchased pardon and complete redemption for sinners. The bronze serpent, lifted up in the camp of Israel, brought health and cure within the reach of all who were bitten by the snakes. Christ crucified, in like manner, brought eternal life within reach of lost mankind. Christ has been lifted up on the cross, and man looking to Him by faith may be saved. The truth before us is the very foundation-stone of the Christian religion.
It is true that we are sinners--but Christ has suffered for us. It is true that we deserve death--but Christ has died for us. It is true that we are guilty debtors--but Christ has paid our debts with His own blood. This is the real Gospel! This is the good news! On this let us lean while we live. To this let us cling when we die. Christ has been "lifted up" on the cross, and has thrown open the gates of heaven to all believers.
"He that believes on the Son has everlasting life." He is not intended to look forward with a sick heart to a far distant privilege. He "has" everlasting life as soon as he believes. Pardon, peace, and a complete title to Heaven, are an immediate possession. They become a believer's own, from the very moment he puts faith in Christ. They will not be more completely his own, if he lives to the age of Methuselah.
Commentary on John 4
If we let ignorant people fancy that we think we are doing them a great favor in talking to them about religion, there is little hope of doing good to their souls.
Commentary on John 5
Sin was the original root, and cause, and fountain of every disease in the world. God did not create man to be full of aches, and pains, and infirmities. These things are the fruits of the Fall. There would have been no sickness, if there had been no sin.
Simple, regular reading of our Bibles is the grand secret of establishment in the faith. Ignorance of the Scriptures is the root of all error.
Commentary on John 6
We must read our Bibles, like men digging for hidden treasure. We must wrestle earnestly in prayer, like men contending with a deadly enemy for life. We must take our whole heart to the house of God, and worship and hear like those who listen to the reading of a benefactor's will. We must fight daily against sin, the world, and the devil, like those who fight for liberty, and must conquer, or be slaves. These are the ways we must walk in if we would find Christ, and be found of Him.
Commentary on John 8
Let us never suppose that there is any lack of charity in speaking of hell. Let us rather maintain that it is the highest love to warn men plainly of danger, and to beseech them to "flee from the wrath to come." It was Satan, the deceiver, murderer, and liar, who said to Eve in the beginning, "You shall not surely die." (Gen. 3: 4.) To shrink from telling men, that except they believe they will "die in their sins," may please the devil, but surely it cannot please God.
Commentary on John 9/10
We must never suppose for a moment that our Lord had no power to prevent His sufferings, and that He was delivered up to His enemies and crucified because He could not help it. Nothing could be further from the truth than such an idea.
Let us grasp it firmly, and never let it go. Let us maintain boldly the complete inspiration of every word of the original Hebrew and Greek Scriptures. Let us believe that not only every book of the Bible, but every chapter--and not only every chapter, but every verse, and not only every verse, but every word, was originally given by inspiration of God. Inspiration, we must never shrink from asserting, extends not only to the thoughts and ideas of Scripture, but to the least words.
Commentary on John 11
The highest degree of faith is to be able to wait, sit still, and not complain.
Commentary on John 13
Once let a man begin tampering with the devil, and he never knows how far he may fall. Trifling with the first thoughts of sin--making light of evil ideas when first offered to our hearts--allowing Satan to talk to us, and flatter us, and put bad notions into our hearts--all this may seem a small matter to many. It is precisely at this point that the road to ruin often begins. He that allows Satan to sow wicked thoughts will soon find within his heart a crop of wicked habits. Happy is he who really believes that there is a devil, and believing, watches and prays daily that he may be kept from his temptations.
Commentary on John 14
Heaven is "a Father's house,"--the house of that God of whom Jesus says, "I go to my Father, and your Father." It is, in a word, HOME--the home of Christ and Christians. This is a sweet and touching expression. Home, as we all know, is the place where we are generally loved for our own sakes, and not for our gifts or possessions; the place where we are loved to the end, never forgotten, and always welcome. This is one idea of heaven.
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people--a place which we shall find Christ Himself has made ready for true Christians. He has prepared it by procuring a right for every sinner who believes to enter in. None can stop us, and say we have no business there. He has prepared it by going before us as our Head and Representative, and taking possession of it for all the members of His mystical body.
Christ is "the WAY,"--the way to heaven and peace with God. He is not only the guide, and teacher, and lawgiver, like Moses; He is Himself the door, the ladder, and the road, through whom we must draw near to God. He has opened the way to the tree of life, which was closed when Adam and Eve fell, by the satisfaction He made for us on the cross. Through His blood we may draw near with boldness, and have access with confidence into God's presence.
Christ is "the TRUTH,"--the whole substance of true religion which the mind of man requires.
Christ is "the LIFE,"--the sinner's title to eternal life and pardon, the believer's root of spiritual life and holiness, the surety of the Christian's resurrection life. He that believes on Christ has everlasting life. He that abides in Him, as the branch abides in the vine, shall bring forth much fruit. He that believes on Him, though he were dead, yet shall he live. The root of all life, for soul and for body, is Christ.
Commentary on John 15
He would have us know that we can never think too highly of love, attach too much weight to it, labor too much to practice it. Truths which our Master thinks it needful to enforce on us by repetition, must needs be of first-class importance.
To see light and not use it, to possess knowledge and yet not turn it to account, to he able to say "I know," and yet not to say "I believe," will place us at the lowest place on Christ's left hand, in the great day of judgment.
Commentary on John 16
Then let us never forget, in reading the Bible, to pray for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. We must not wonder if we find the Bible a dark and difficult book, if we do not regularly seek light from Him by whom it was first inspired. In this, as in many other things, "we have not because we ask not."
The storms of trial and persecution may sometimes beat heavily on us; but let them only drive us closer to Christ. The sorrows, and losses, and crosses, and disappointments of our life may often make us feel sorely cast down; but let them only make us tighten our hold on Christ. Armed with this very promise let us, under every cross, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Commentary on John 20
Where sin is not felt at all, nothing is done; and where sin is little felt, little is done. The man who is deeply conscious of his own guilt and corruption, and deeply convinced that without the death and intercession of Christ he would sink deservedly into the lowest hell, this is the man who will spend and be spent for Jesus, and think that he can never do enough to show forth His praise.
Let us daily pray that we may see the sinfulness of sin, and the amazing grace of Christ, more clearly and distinctly. Then, and then only, shall we cease to be cool, and lukewarm, and slovenly in our work for Jesus.
Let us love all who love Christ in sincerity, and thank God that they love Him at all. The great thing is to love Jesus.
Let us believe that things are often working together for our peace and joy, which seem at one time to contain nothing but bitterness and sorrow.
Commentary on John 21
There is no such thing as luck, chance, or accident, in the journey of our life. Everything from beginning to end is foreseen--arranged by One who is too wise to err, and too loving to do us harm. show less
It has been a long time since I reviewed J.C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew. It was a GREAT read. John being my particular favorite gospel, I decided to read J.C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of John in anticipation of Lent/Easter season. It was a show more WONDERFUL read.
This one is essentially a commentary on a single book of the Bible, the gospel of John. The book divides each chapter into sections. It will print the Scripture itself [not just a reference] AND then provide expository commentary on Scripture. I love it when commentaries take the time to share the Scripture itself instead of just expecting you to have your Bible open as well. Being printed in the nineteenth century--originally--I'm guessing that it is likely the King James Version being used.
J.C. Ryle was a GREAT preacher and teacher. I love his work. I agree with most of what I've read. His work can be convicting for sure.
Quotes from John 1 commentary:
If no one less than the Eternal God, the Creator and Preserver of all things, could take away the sin of the world, sin must be a far more abominable thing in the sight of God than most men suppose. The right measure of sin's sinfulness is the dignity of Him who came into the world to save sinners. If Christ is so great, then sin must indeed be sinful!
When He rose again, as the Head of the body of believers, He rose not as a mere man, but as God. Let these things sink deeply into our hearts. The second Adam is far greater than the first Adam was. The first Adam was only man, and so he fell. The second Adam was God as well as man, and so He completely conquered.
No man ever errs on the side of giving too much honor to God the Son. Christ is the meeting-point between the Trinity and the sinner's soul. "He that honors not the Son, honors not the Father which sent Him." (John 5: 23.)
Let us take heed that in all our thoughts of Christ, we first think of Him as John the Baptist here represents Him. Let us serve him faithfully as our Master. Let us obey Him loyally as our King. Let us study His teaching as our Prophet. Let us walk diligently after Him as our Example. Let us look anxiously for Him as our coming Redeemer of body as well as soul. But above all, let us prize Him as our Sacrifice, and rest our whole weight on His death as an atonement for sin. Let His blood be more precious in our eyes every year we live. Whatever else we glory in about Christ, let us glory above all things in His cross. This is the corner-stone, this is the citadel, this is the rule of true Christian theology. We know nothing rightly about Christ, until we see him with John the Baptist's eyes, and can rejoice in Him as "the Lamb that was slain."
Christ is a COMPLETE savior. He "takes away sin." He did not merely make vague proclamations of pardon, mercy, and forgiveness. He "took" our sins upon Himself, and carried them away. He allowed them to be laid upon Himself, and "bore them in His own body on the tree." (1 Pet. 2: 24.) The sins of every one that believes on Jesus are made as though they had never been sinned at all. The Lamb of God has taken them clean away.
Christ is a PERPETUAL and UNWEARIED Savior. He "takes away" sin. He is daily taking it away from every one that believes on Him--daily purging, daily cleansing, daily washing the souls of His people, daily granting and applying fresh supplies of mercy. He did not cease to work for His saints, when He died for them on the cross. He lives in heaven as a Priest, to present His sacrifice continually before God. In grace as well as is providence, Christ works still. He is ever taking away sin.
Christ must be set forth again and again, as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." The story of grace must be told repeatedly--line upon line, and precept upon precept. It is the constant dropping which wears away the stone. The promise shall never be broken, that "God's word shall not return unto him void." (Isaiah. 55:11.)
Do we find it hard to see Christ in the Old Testament, because we do not see His name? Let us be sure that the fault is all our own. It is our spiritual vision which is to blame, and not the book. The eyes of our understanding need to be enlightened. The veil has yet to be taken away. Let us pray for a more humble, childlike, and teachable spirit, and let us take up "Moses and the prophets" again. Christ is there, though our eyes may not yet have seen Him. May we never rest until we can subscribe to our Lord's words about the Old Testament Scriptures, "They are they which testify of me." (John 5: 39.)
Commentary on John 3
No man is the author of his own existence, and no man can quicken his own soul. We might as well expect a dead man to give himself life, as expect a natural man to make himself spiritual. A power from above must be put in exercise, even that same power which created the world. (2 Cor. 4:6.)
Let us take heed that our views of the love of God are Scriptural and well-defined. The subject is one on which error abounds on either side. On the one hand we must beware of vague and exaggerated opinions. We must maintain firmly that God hates wickedness, and that the end of all who persist in wickedness will be destruction. It is not true that God's love is "lower than hell." It is not true that God so loved the world that all mankind will be finally saved, but that He so loved the world that He gave His Son to be the Savior of all who believe. His love is offered to all men freely, fully, honestly, and unreservedly, but it is only through the one channel of Christ's redemption. He that rejects Christ cuts himself off from God's love, and will perish everlastingly. On the other hand, we must beware of narrow and contracted opinions. We must not hesitate to tell any sinner that God loves him. It is not true that God cares for none but His own elect, or that Christ is not offered to any but those who are ordained to eternal life. There is a "kindness and love" in God towards all mankind. It was in consequence of that love that Christ came into the world, and died upon the cross. Let us not be wise above that which is written, or more systematic in our statements than Scripture itself. God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. God is not willing that any should perish. God would have all men to be saved. God loves the world. (John 6:32; Titus 3:4; 1 John 4:10; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4; Ezek. 33:11.)
When Christ died upon the cross, our many sins were laid upon Him. He was made "sin" for us. He was made "a curse" for us. (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13.) By His death He purchased pardon and complete redemption for sinners. The bronze serpent, lifted up in the camp of Israel, brought health and cure within the reach of all who were bitten by the snakes. Christ crucified, in like manner, brought eternal life within reach of lost mankind. Christ has been lifted up on the cross, and man looking to Him by faith may be saved. The truth before us is the very foundation-stone of the Christian religion.
It is true that we are sinners--but Christ has suffered for us. It is true that we deserve death--but Christ has died for us. It is true that we are guilty debtors--but Christ has paid our debts with His own blood. This is the real Gospel! This is the good news! On this let us lean while we live. To this let us cling when we die. Christ has been "lifted up" on the cross, and has thrown open the gates of heaven to all believers.
"He that believes on the Son has everlasting life." He is not intended to look forward with a sick heart to a far distant privilege. He "has" everlasting life as soon as he believes. Pardon, peace, and a complete title to Heaven, are an immediate possession. They become a believer's own, from the very moment he puts faith in Christ. They will not be more completely his own, if he lives to the age of Methuselah.
Commentary on John 4
If we let ignorant people fancy that we think we are doing them a great favor in talking to them about religion, there is little hope of doing good to their souls.
Commentary on John 5
Sin was the original root, and cause, and fountain of every disease in the world. God did not create man to be full of aches, and pains, and infirmities. These things are the fruits of the Fall. There would have been no sickness, if there had been no sin.
Simple, regular reading of our Bibles is the grand secret of establishment in the faith. Ignorance of the Scriptures is the root of all error.
Commentary on John 6
We must read our Bibles, like men digging for hidden treasure. We must wrestle earnestly in prayer, like men contending with a deadly enemy for life. We must take our whole heart to the house of God, and worship and hear like those who listen to the reading of a benefactor's will. We must fight daily against sin, the world, and the devil, like those who fight for liberty, and must conquer, or be slaves. These are the ways we must walk in if we would find Christ, and be found of Him.
Commentary on John 8
Let us never suppose that there is any lack of charity in speaking of hell. Let us rather maintain that it is the highest love to warn men plainly of danger, and to beseech them to "flee from the wrath to come." It was Satan, the deceiver, murderer, and liar, who said to Eve in the beginning, "You shall not surely die." (Gen. 3: 4.) To shrink from telling men, that except they believe they will "die in their sins," may please the devil, but surely it cannot please God.
Commentary on John 9/10
We must never suppose for a moment that our Lord had no power to prevent His sufferings, and that He was delivered up to His enemies and crucified because He could not help it. Nothing could be further from the truth than such an idea.
Let us grasp it firmly, and never let it go. Let us maintain boldly the complete inspiration of every word of the original Hebrew and Greek Scriptures. Let us believe that not only every book of the Bible, but every chapter--and not only every chapter, but every verse, and not only every verse, but every word, was originally given by inspiration of God. Inspiration, we must never shrink from asserting, extends not only to the thoughts and ideas of Scripture, but to the least words.
Commentary on John 11
The highest degree of faith is to be able to wait, sit still, and not complain.
Commentary on John 13
Once let a man begin tampering with the devil, and he never knows how far he may fall. Trifling with the first thoughts of sin--making light of evil ideas when first offered to our hearts--allowing Satan to talk to us, and flatter us, and put bad notions into our hearts--all this may seem a small matter to many. It is precisely at this point that the road to ruin often begins. He that allows Satan to sow wicked thoughts will soon find within his heart a crop of wicked habits. Happy is he who really believes that there is a devil, and believing, watches and prays daily that he may be kept from his temptations.
Commentary on John 14
Heaven is "a Father's house,"--the house of that God of whom Jesus says, "I go to my Father, and your Father." It is, in a word, HOME--the home of Christ and Christians. This is a sweet and touching expression. Home, as we all know, is the place where we are generally loved for our own sakes, and not for our gifts or possessions; the place where we are loved to the end, never forgotten, and always welcome. This is one idea of heaven.
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people--a place which we shall find Christ Himself has made ready for true Christians. He has prepared it by procuring a right for every sinner who believes to enter in. None can stop us, and say we have no business there. He has prepared it by going before us as our Head and Representative, and taking possession of it for all the members of His mystical body.
Christ is "the WAY,"--the way to heaven and peace with God. He is not only the guide, and teacher, and lawgiver, like Moses; He is Himself the door, the ladder, and the road, through whom we must draw near to God. He has opened the way to the tree of life, which was closed when Adam and Eve fell, by the satisfaction He made for us on the cross. Through His blood we may draw near with boldness, and have access with confidence into God's presence.
Christ is "the TRUTH,"--the whole substance of true religion which the mind of man requires.
Christ is "the LIFE,"--the sinner's title to eternal life and pardon, the believer's root of spiritual life and holiness, the surety of the Christian's resurrection life. He that believes on Christ has everlasting life. He that abides in Him, as the branch abides in the vine, shall bring forth much fruit. He that believes on Him, though he were dead, yet shall he live. The root of all life, for soul and for body, is Christ.
Commentary on John 15
He would have us know that we can never think too highly of love, attach too much weight to it, labor too much to practice it. Truths which our Master thinks it needful to enforce on us by repetition, must needs be of first-class importance.
To see light and not use it, to possess knowledge and yet not turn it to account, to he able to say "I know," and yet not to say "I believe," will place us at the lowest place on Christ's left hand, in the great day of judgment.
Commentary on John 16
Then let us never forget, in reading the Bible, to pray for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. We must not wonder if we find the Bible a dark and difficult book, if we do not regularly seek light from Him by whom it was first inspired. In this, as in many other things, "we have not because we ask not."
The storms of trial and persecution may sometimes beat heavily on us; but let them only drive us closer to Christ. The sorrows, and losses, and crosses, and disappointments of our life may often make us feel sorely cast down; but let them only make us tighten our hold on Christ. Armed with this very promise let us, under every cross, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Commentary on John 20
Where sin is not felt at all, nothing is done; and where sin is little felt, little is done. The man who is deeply conscious of his own guilt and corruption, and deeply convinced that without the death and intercession of Christ he would sink deservedly into the lowest hell, this is the man who will spend and be spent for Jesus, and think that he can never do enough to show forth His praise.
Let us daily pray that we may see the sinfulness of sin, and the amazing grace of Christ, more clearly and distinctly. Then, and then only, shall we cease to be cool, and lukewarm, and slovenly in our work for Jesus.
Let us love all who love Christ in sincerity, and thank God that they love Him at all. The great thing is to love Jesus.
Let us believe that things are often working together for our peace and joy, which seem at one time to contain nothing but bitterness and sorrow.
Commentary on John 21
There is no such thing as luck, chance, or accident, in the journey of our life. Everything from beginning to end is foreseen--arranged by One who is too wise to err, and too loving to do us harm. show less
The modern church is tragically oblivious to the heroes that have gone before. I doubt whether few Christians could even identify basic facts about any one of the men highlighted in this biographical work: John Hooper, Rowland Tylor, Hugh Latimer, John Bradford, or Nicholas Ridley. Five English Reformers is a faith-stirring work packed with heart-rending testimonies about the martyrdom of saints. These brief chapters are sure to elicit an emotional response from the reader.
J.C. Ryle died in show more 1900. His writing style may be challenging for readers, but the payoff is definitely worth the effort. The first chapter alone provides a wonderful overview of the martyrdom of Protestant Reformers under the tyrannical reign of Queen Mary (Bloody Mary). In a world where persecution seems unthinkable in the western culture, Christians need to read this book.
If you take the time to read Five English Reformers, you will discover one of my heroes - Bishop Hugh Latimer. Old Latimer was burned next to Nicholas Ridley. He looked over at Ridley and declared, "Be of good cheer, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out." Play the man. How can you not love this challenge? Would that pastors and preachers would proclaim the same today!
While Five English Reformers is not without its flaws, I have given it the highest possible rating because the benefits of digesting a work of this caliber far surpass any flaws the book may have. show less
J.C. Ryle died in show more 1900. His writing style may be challenging for readers, but the payoff is definitely worth the effort. The first chapter alone provides a wonderful overview of the martyrdom of Protestant Reformers under the tyrannical reign of Queen Mary (Bloody Mary). In a world where persecution seems unthinkable in the western culture, Christians need to read this book.
If you take the time to read Five English Reformers, you will discover one of my heroes - Bishop Hugh Latimer. Old Latimer was burned next to Nicholas Ridley. He looked over at Ridley and declared, "Be of good cheer, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out." Play the man. How can you not love this challenge? Would that pastors and preachers would proclaim the same today!
While Five English Reformers is not without its flaws, I have given it the highest possible rating because the benefits of digesting a work of this caliber far surpass any flaws the book may have. show less
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