Thomas Ryan

Early Life and Education

Thomas Ryan came of a respected family in the south of Ireland and was brought up amid the ordinary advantages and pursuits of a country gentleman. In his earlier years he lived much as others of his class, devoting himself to hunting and rural pleasures, with little thought for the deeper issues of life. His future, however, was marked out by his family for a clerical career, and with this object he was sent to Dublin to pursue his university studies.

It was there, in the good providence of God, that his whole course was changed. He was brought into contact with some of the early Brethren, and through their influence, combined with the searching power of the Word of God, his heart was opened to the reality and power of the Gospel. Under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures became to him a new book, full of divine order, living truth, and spiritual light.

Separation from the Establishment

As his knowledge of Scripture increased, conscientious difficulties soon arose—especially in relation to the Prayer Book, and more particularly the Ordination and Baptismal Services of the Church of England. These difficulties were not academic or theoretical; they were moral and spiritual, and they pressed heavily upon his conscience.

The result was decisive. Much to the annoyance and disapproval of his father, Thomas Ryan abandoned all intention of entering the clergy. Instead, he cast in his lot with spiritually-minded Christians, giving himself with growing joy to free evangelistic work and to fellowship outside all ecclesiastical systems.

Association with Early Brethren Leaders

About this time he became personally acquainted with John Nelson Darby, John Gifford Bellett, and other leading figures of the early Brethren movement. For a season he laboured in close association with Mr. Darby, and at first threw in his lot with him.

In later years, however, Thomas Ryan retired from fellowship with Mr. Darby, though without any diminution of his love for the truth or his devotion to Christ. His path thereafter was marked by a notable catholicity of spirit, and for more than forty years he continued to give himself to the ministry of the Word among the assemblies, independent of party allegiance.

Ministry and Teaching Gift

Thomas Ryan’s special gift lay in his expository and teaching ministry. A competent Hebrew and Greek scholar, and a man who devoted his entire life to prayerful, patient study of Scripture, he became truly “mighty in the Scriptures.” His delight was to open up the Word of God with clarity, reverence, and spiritual intelligence.

He rendered remarkable service through Young Men’s Bible Classes in various places, grounding many believers firmly in the foundations of the faith, especially in those truths which centre upon the Person and the Cross of Christ. His ministry combined accuracy with warmth, depth with simplicity, and firmness with affection.

At the same time, he laboured faithfully among the poor of Dublin, preaching the Gospel in connection with the Dublin City Mission and in other evangelistic settings. Many of these humble hearers rejoiced in the tenderness and simplicity with which he presented Christ crucified and risen.

Literary Work and Controversial Writings

In addition to his spoken ministry, Thomas Ryan was a prolific writer. His best-known works include:

• The Structure of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

• Notes on the Book of Revelation

• The Apocalypse Looked at as the Final Crisis of the Age

• Numerous tracts and pamphlets on doctrinal, prophetic, and controversial subjects

Among these, The Structure of the Acts has been especially valued for its insight into the divine order and purpose of that book, and is still regarded as well worth securing.

He also wrote extensively in defence of what he believed to be Scriptural truth, analysing and opposing teachings associated with Irvingism, Newton, and certain tendencies within Brethrenism itself. Yet even in controversy he was known as a man who sought to be governed by conscience and Scripture rather than by party spirit.

Personal Character

Those who knew Thomas Ryan best loved him most. He was a warm-hearted, sincere, and faithful friend, and though an uncompromising champion of truth, he was personally humble-minded, considerate, and gracious. His learning never hardened him, nor did his convictions narrow his affections.

Possessed of a remarkably strong constitution, he continued his labours far into old age. Only during the last five years of his life did his physical strength seriously fail. Yet even then, his heart remained wholly true to his Lord. A whispered reference to the love of Jesus or the precious Blood of Christ would instantly rouse him from weakness, and on one such occasion he responded simply and beautifully:

“Everything about Him is lovely.”

Closing Years and Home-Call

With marked singleness of heart, Thomas Ryan devoted the latter years of his long life to fulfilling the ministry emphasised by the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 2:2—the careful transmission of sound truth to faithful men who would be able to teach others also.

On 14th January, 1905, at the remarkable age of ninety-five, this much-esteemed servant of Christ passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord. He now rests from his labours, and, as Scripture declares, his works do follow him.