Expository Thoughts on the Gospels - 7 Volume Set Expository Thoughts

Book Description:

Ryle's chief aim is to help the reader to know Christ. He also has another object in view. He writes so that his commentaries can be read aloud to a group. There are many other fuller commentaries on the Gospels, but no others make such compelling listening as those of J.C. Ryle.

Ryle's expositions are a rich combination of doctrinal and practical comments on the Gospel text. Ryle's Expository Thoughts can be used as a help in family worship, or as an aid in pastoral visitation, or simply as a companion to the Gospels in the private reading of Scripture.

Author:

John Charles Ryle 1816-1900 was born Macclesfield, Chesire and educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. Graduating with a First in 'Greats' (Classics), his sporting prowess saw him represent the University at rowing and cricket. A political career beckoned until his father's bank crashed in 1841. Instead he entered the Church of England ministry. Long afterwards he wrote, 'I have not the least doubt, it was all for the best. If I had not been ruined, I should never have been a clergyman, never have preached a sermon, or written a tract or book.' Ryle served churches in Hampshire before moving to Helmingham, Suffolk, in 1844. It was here that he began his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels. The volumes on Matthew, Mark, and Luke were published between 1856 and 1858. In 1861, Ryle became vicar of Stradbroke, Suffolk, where he became known for his plain preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known books, many of them still in print today. It was at Stradbroke that he completed his Expository Thoughts series in 1873. In 1880 Ryle became the first bishop of Liverpool. His episcopate was marked by efforts to build churches and mission halls to reach the rapidly expanding population of the city. Retiring in 1900 aged 83, Ryle died later the same year in Lowestoft, Suffolk. His successor in Liverpool described him as a 'man of granite with the heart of a child'.

Additional Information: