Book Review: J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Evangelical Press)
Ryle, J.C. Expository Thoughts on the Gospels. Eds. Graham Hind and Mary Davis. Evangelical Press, 2024. Seven-volume set.
Where does one begin reviewing a set of books that have existed for over 150 years? The first Bishop of Liverpool, J.C. Ryle, published his set of commentaries, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, between 1856 and 1873. As a bishop of the most pastoral sort, as well as one from the evangelical wing of the Church of England, Ryle’s reputation reaches far outside the Anglican sphere; his evangelical zeal and emphasis on scripture have made him just as popular in Presbyterian, Reformed, and Baptist circles as in our own.
Since their publication, Christians far and wide have cherished these commentaries for their accessible yet profound exposition of the Gospels. The newest edition of these classic commentaries, published by Evangelical Press (an imprint of 10Publishing), keeps Ryle’s robust meditations on Scripture intact while gently updating the language for the modern reader.
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An Overview of the Expository Thoughts
Before exploring this particular edition, allow me to address Ryle’s work itself. Expository Thoughts on the Gospels in both its original form and the Evangelical Press edition as a seven-volume set. Ryle dedicates one volume to Matthew, one to Mark, two to Luke, and three to John. I’ve always thought that Matthew, for the Gospel’s length, gets shortchanged when compared to the others (Mark, being the shortest gospel, makes more sense as a one-volume).
Though written by a top-notch scholar, the commentary is pastoral rather than technical. He describes his approach in the preface:
In style and composition I frankly avow that I have studied, as far as possible, to be plain and pointed, and to choose what an old divine calls “picked and packed” words. I have aimed to place myself in the position of one who is reading aloud to others, and must arrest their attention, if they can. I have said to myself in writing each exposition, “I am addressing a mixed company, and I have but a short time..” I have felt that a few points, well remembered and fastened down, are better than a quantity of truth lying loosely and thinly scattered over the mind.
This approach makes this commentary a perfect resource for pastors preparing sermons and laypeople studying the Bible devotionally. Ryle begins each section with a birds-eye overview and devotional commentary on the whole section; then, once he has done this, he breaks it down part by part, usually verse by verse. “The points selected will be found to be sometimes doctrinal and sometimes practical,” he says. “The only rule in selection has been to seize on the really leading points in the passage.”
Additionally, though he expects that some will disagree with various conclusions in his work, he notes, “It is my firm conviction that I have said nothing in these expositions which is not in perfect harmony with the thirty-nine Articles of my own church and does not agree in the main with all the Protestant confessions of faith.” The result is one of the most theologically solid yet accessible and applicable commentaries on scripture ever crafted.
The Evangelical Press Edition
Evangelical Press’ has packaged the seven volumes as handsome clothbound hardcovers in an attractive blue slipcase. While there are some other very attractive editions of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Banner of Truth’s editions of the original text should not be overlooked), this new edition stands out for how accessibly it presents Ryle’s meditations on scripture.
Gently Revised Text
Notably, the volumes tell us they are “modernized by Graham Hind and Mary Davis” (no relation to me that I know of). Don’t let this scare you off. Hind and Davis have used a remarkably light touch in their revision. The books read like Ryle. It’s very much his language, a credit to how accessible the bishop’s prose is even a century and a half later. The editors have changed the scripture translation from the King James to the New King James Version, adjusted punctuation to modern standards, and replaced some archaic terms or phrases.
We do not get a rewrite of Ryle; instead, we get Ryle as if his editor lived in the England of the 21st century instead of the 19th (the text does follow British spelling and punctuation conventions). What happens to his text is essentially the same as every article that crosses my desk here at Anglican Compass: the editors gently take a brush to Ryle’s text to make it sparkle as brightly as possible.
Physical Production
The typesetting for the text is remarkably clean, and the paper has a very lovely opacity. An extra, much-appreciated feature is a dark blue ribbon in each volume. Ryle’s name appears in bold, stylized letters on the front of each volume, and his signature accompanies the title of each on the spine. With all of the apparent attention to detail given to the production, my one criticism is of where 10Publishing, a UK-based company, decided to have the books printed: China. Even after factoring in the cheaper production costs, why Christian publishers continue to source materials from a nation whose government is notoriously hostile to the church and the gospel is beyond me.
Conclusion
Although the printing location fact puts me off, it does not dissuade me from thoroughly recommending this set. Not only is it handsome, but it relates J.C. Ryle’s insightful, devotional breakdowns of the four gospels in a style and format perfect for the modern clergy or layperson. It’s both an attractive set for the bookshelf and a resource from the great evangelical bishop that will encourage your faith for years to come.
Because of a generous donation, 10Publishing is currently able to offer this set for $99.00 in their online store, 10ofThose. This set, currently available for preorder, releases September 2, 2024.
Overall rating: 5/5
Disclaimer: Jacob Davis was provided with a review copy of this book in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
Photos courtesy of 10ofThose.
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