Simplicity in Preaching: A Few Hints on a Great Subject [Updated and Annotated]

by J.C. Ryle

Ryle packs more experience and sanctified common sense into two dozen pages than many others manage in a lengthy treatise. And, like all of his work, this one illustrates the very simplicity he commends to others. Here indeed is a work whose value and usefulness is out of all proportion to its length.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, Audiobook, Ecclesiology, Christian Living

43 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1888

About the author

(John Charles Ryle) Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk, where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known and still-in-print books, often addressing issues of contemporary relevance for the Church from a biblical standpoint. He completed his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels while at Stradbroke, with his work on the Gospel of John (1869). His third marriage, to Henrietta Amelia Clowes in 1861, lasted until her death in 1889.

Reviews

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical help for preaching - typical Ryle. He's always good!
Read again in 2018.
Read again in 2025.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Ryle. This was an exquisite little treatise on the importance of simplicity in preaching. This is especially important for those who are in Reformed churches.

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little lecture on the importance of simplicity (also, perspicuity) in Preaching.
Four prefatory remarks: 1) simplicity is of utmost importance, 2) simplicity is not easy, 3) simplicity is not childish, 4) simplicity is not vulgar/unrefined.
Five key points: 1) have a clear view of the subject, 2) use simple, common, everyday words, 3) maintain simple - even proverbial - composition, 4) be direct (you and I), 5) use illustrations and stories
Key application - “you will never attain simplicity in preaching without plenty of trouble.”

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good little read. Many good thoughts on preaching messages that are simple, direct, & effective. The goal isn’t to preach beautiful sermons but to preach messages that speak to the hearts of men & women. Communication of the truth is vital. Being understood is key

[Brett Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little treatise on the importance of simplicity in preaching. I can feel the temptation to be clever or to be seen as an “intellectual” in my sermons, but that’s more about me than what people actually need. Keller was a master of this, making really big and difficult ideas understandable for his listeners. Give people something they can actually remember and understand.

“In fact, to use very long words, to seem very learned, to make people go away after a sermon saying, ‘How fine! how clever! how grand! all this is very easy work. But to write what will strike and stick, to speak or to write that which at once pleases and is understood, and becomes assimilated with a hearer’s mind and a thing never forgotten—that, we may depend on it, is a very difficult thing and a very rare attainment.” - J.C. Ryle

[Jeremiah Whiteman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the book to be convicting. Since I desire to be a pastor/teacher at some point, I could really feel the need to make topics clear and simple. I ought to start aiming to do so now for I am not as clear as I ought to be to begin with. I’d recommend this to any man who desires to preach so that he might be encouraged to minister simply to the congregation that God has given him to steward over.

[Peter Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, but excellent little book on how to preach simple sermons. There is a lot of wisdom in Ryle's suggestions. What I like most his desire for the congregation to understand and grow. He knows that ornate sermons may impress the listener, but they will not help them grow in sanctification.

A good book for preachers to read every couple of years or so.

[Jethro Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little work from J. C. Ryle caught my eye, and was a worthwhile and easy read. Will definitely seek to cling to the truths in here.

“All the simplicity in the world can do no good, unless you preach the simple gospel of Jesus Christ so fully and clearly that everybody can understand it.”

[Tim Michiemo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 Stars

"Simplicity in Preaching" by J.C. Ryle is in extremely short treatise on the importance of simplicity in preaching. This book is about the length of an online article, which does not diminish it's excellence at all. Ryle's brief advice is sound and significant. He reminds preachers of the importance of being simple to reach the hearts of listens, and the ways that a preacher can preach simply. I think this is a good book for preachers to pick up once a year as a reminder of how important it is to preach simply.

[Connor Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure Gold.
If you want simplicity, you must have (1) clarity on your text and communicate with (2) simple words, (3) simple sentences, (4) direct speech, and (5) abundant illustrations and anecdotes.

[Kyle Grindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful

[Brent Osterberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Those of us in the reformed, evangelical, expository-preaching sphere will do well to heed Ryle's counsel.

[Philip Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Sage advice.

[Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryle is, as always, a clear and effective writer. I would suggest to anyone who endeavors to communicate clearly read this booklet. He who speaks above his hearers ought not be heard at all.

[Alan Rennê · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que livreto espetacular! Que o Senhor me ajude a pregar as Escrituras de modo cada vez mais simples!

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a helpful little booklet. Ryle outlines five reasons why simplicity is a mark of healthy preaching and why it is so edifying. Simplicity is key to preaching and Ryle demonstrates this clearly.

—

This booklet is extremely helpful.

[John Dobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realize (as is often the case with Kindle versions of books) that this was more of a booklet - it's not very long and I read it in one sitting. Yet, I would advise ministers of all ages to give it a read and hear the good messages here. They will be reminders for some ... and new advice for others. But it is worth the time.

Noted Bible Scholar of another generation offers up advice for preaching, and on how to keep it simple.

"And now bear in mind that if you want to attain simplicity in preaching, my five points are these: Understand your subject. Use simple words. Aim for a simple style of composition. Use a direct voice. Use anecdotes and illustrations."

If you are a preacher, read it!

[Rafael Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthy wake-up call for young preachers or aspirants like me. Read it and take heed.

[Lucas Bragança · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top!

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it. Tips from a master on how to speak the truth plainly.

[Omri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful booklet on being clear in preaching for the sake of the audience who is hearing the sermon. Like all of Bishop Ryle’s material, he is deep, clear, and the subject is well thought through.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and very good in a practical way.

[Jack W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for any verbose person.

[Scott Petty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been criticized for using '$200 words' in my preaching, so I found this book helpful. Advice, opinion, and tips from a great preacher of the past.

[Jacob Pippin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Dan Hamman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The secret to effective preaching

The author expounds on the method of preaching that he himself used. History confirms that his preaching was effective in reaching multitudes for Christ.

[Cory Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly simple book on preaching that every preacher should read. It’s short too so quick read. Read this if you haven’t, assess your preaching, simplify it if needed.

[Alex Dunkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, helpful, and absolutely necessary for anyone in the ministry to read if you’re preaching or have the desire to preach.

[Russell Sigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is short but packs a punch. An excellent resource for anyone engaged in preaching, and short enough for every church member to read as well.

[Uriah O'Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy certainly leads by example. His book is very down to earth and direct in its defense of and advice for simplicity in preaching. Though its age is beginning to show, it is still a worthwhile read, especially when he said you should write the sentences of your sermon as though you were asthmatic and had not the breath to sustain too great a length.