Who Was J.C. Ryle?

John Charles Ryle—better known as J.C. Ryle—was born on May 10, 1816, in Macclesfield, England, and became a towering figure in the 19th-century evangelical movement. Surprisingly, Ryle didn’t come to saving faith until the age of 21 in 1837. Reflecting on his earlier years, Ryle confessed:

“I really was altogether without God in this world, and though many thought me a very proper moral, respectable young man, I was totally unfit to die.”

Ryle was raised in a wealthy home, educated by private tutors, and by the age of 9 was already proficient in Latin and Greek. But despite his upbringing and outward morality, it wasn’t until much later that he experienced genuine conversion.

Even from a young age, Ryle showed glimpses of the man he would become. Two childhood stories really capture his personality:

• At just four years old, he could be “kept quiet with a book,” and was once found solemnly saying, “I am meditating about an Elephant.”
• At age seven, after a formal dinner, he stood up on his chair and declared loudly, “Well, Colonel Parker, I have had a good dinner!”—his first “public speech,” as he called it.

These stories are more than cute—they highlight his God-given ability to communicate. Ryle would go on to use that gift to write and preach with rare clarity, particularly against false views of perfectionism (like those we discussed in Episode #1), and in favor of a grounded, biblical view of holiness.

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Ryle’s Famous Sermon on Holiness

Ryle anchors his sermon with Hebrews 12:14:

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (NIV)

This isn’t a suggestion—it’s a command, and Ryle makes it clear: Holiness is essential for all people, regardless of class, education, or status. He breaks his sermon into three parts, beginning with the question:

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What Is True Holiness?

Before defining holiness, Ryle first clarifies what it is not, listing seven sobering examples:

• Not knowledge — Balaam had that
• Not religious profession — Judas had that
• Not religious activity — Herod did many things
• Not zeal — Jehu had it
• Not moral conduct — The rich young ruler lived it
• Not enjoying preaching — The Jews in Ezekiel’s day loved sermons
• Not Christian friends — Joab, Gehazi, and Demas kept godly company

“A man may have any or all of these and yet never see the Lord.”

So what is holiness? Ryle gives us a rich, practical sketch:

Traits of a Holy Man:

A holy man…

• Agrees with the mind of God (loves what God loves, hates what God hates)
• Avoids sin and seeks to obey all known commands
• Strives to imitate Christ in every way
• Practices self-control, patience, humility, and meekness
• Is charitable and kind to others
• Demonstrates purity, fearing God with reverence
• Holds loosely to the things of this world, focusing on eternity

“Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God’s judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.” – J.C. Ryle

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Ryle’s Pastoral Balance

While Ryle holds up a high view of holiness, he is also deeply pastoral. He anticipates discouragement and reminds his readers that sanctification is a process, not instant perfection.

“The holiest men have many a blemish and defect… their life is a continual warfare with sin, the world, and the devil.”

Even the holy still carry a “body of death” (Romans 7:21). A truly holy person is not one who never sins, but one who:

• Hates sin
• Fights against it
• Is humbled by it
• Refuses to make peace with it

“Gold is still gold, even if it’s mixed with alloy.”

Ryle warns, however, that anyone who willfully indulges in sin without sorrow or repentance cannot rightly be called holy. Holiness is seen not only in actions—but in attitude.

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The Clear Call of Holiness

“True holiness is a great reality. It is something in a man that can be seen, known, marked, and felt by all around him.”

Ryle insists that holiness is visible—it impacts how we speak, how we act, how we treat others, and how we think. And it does not mean the absence of struggle, but the presence of a Spirit-led pursuit.

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Discussion Questions

1. Which trait from Ryle’s list of what defines holiness do you find most challenging personally?
2. Has the line between what is holy and unholy become more blurry in today’s modern church?
3. What do you think it takes to truly “agree with the mind of God”—to love what He loves, and hate what He hates?

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Coming Up Next

In Part 2, we explore why holiness is needed—not just as a personal virtue, but as a vital part of the Christian life. We’ll look at how Ryle continues to challenge and equip believers to walk worthy of the calling they’ve received.

Until then, remember this:
You’re not saved by holiness, but you can’t see the Lord without it (Hebrews 12:14).

Disclaimer: This summary was generated using AI based on the original podcast script. It has been reviewed and approved by Yonas and Jeff for accuracy and clarity.