If the best way to understand the Christian Faith is to read the Gospels, then the next books in order of importance have to be those which aid in the understanding of those Gospels.
Observing this need in his own parish, J. C. Ryle prepared his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels which have encircled the earth for more than a century with undiminished popularity and usefulness.
Ryle's 'plain and pointed' words are a great stimulus to the reading of the Bible itself. While his chief aim is to help the reader to know Christ he also has another object in view. He writes so that his commentary on Mark can be read aloud to a group. Unlike many authors he is equally good, read or heard. There are many other fuller Commentaries on the Gospels, but no others make such compelling listening - whether it be in the family, in neighbourly groups, or over the air - as those of J. C. Ryle.
