John Owen Quotes

Powerful John Owen for Daily Growth

About John Owen

John Owen (1616-1683), an eminent Puritan divine, was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, on December 20, 1616. His father, Thomas Owen, was a clergyman who served as the rector of Cockshoot-Bassett. John's early education took place at St. Mary Hall, Oxford, where he demonstrated exceptional intellectual abilities and quickly progressed to New College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1632 and Master of Arts in 1635. Influenced by the Puritan ideals that stressed biblical authority and personal piety, Owen left Oxford for London during the English Civil War. He became involved in theological debates, espousing a Calvinistic Arminian position that sought to reconcile predestination with free will. Owen's most influential years were spent as the Vice-Chancellor and later President of Magdalen College, Oxford (1651-1659). During this period, he wrote many of his notable works, including "The Doctrine of the Trinity" and "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ." In 1659, Owen was appointed as a Chaplain to Oliver Cromwell but eventually fell out of favor with the Protectorate. In response, he withdrew to his native Wales, where he continued to write, produce scholarly works, and serve as the Rector of Evershot in Dorset (1675-1683). John Owen's major contributions to theology have left a lasting impact on Christian thought. His most well-known works include "The Communion with God," "Works of John Owen," "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ," and "Indwelling Sin." His deep understanding of Scripture, coupled with his eloquent writing style, has established him as one of the greatest Puritan theologians. In summary, John Owen was a prominent Puritan divine whose influential works shaped Christian theology for generations. Born in Wales, educated at Oxford, and actively involved in the religious debates during the English Civil War, Owen's life and writings continue to impact theological studies today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Be killing sin or it will be killing you."

This quote by John Owen emphasizes the importance of continually battling personal sins in one's life, as failure to do so can lead to their destructive influence. It is a call to remain vigilant against personal weaknesses and shortcomings, suggesting that ignoring or passively accepting sin can ultimately harm an individual's spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. In essence, the message urges individuals to take proactive steps in overcoming sin rather than allowing it to control their lives.

"Communion with God consists in fellowship and converse with him, not in rites and ceremonies."

This quote by John Owen emphasizes that true communion or relationship with God is achieved through spiritual fellowship and conversation, rather than relying on religious rituals and ceremonies. It suggests that authentic interaction with the divine, akin to a close friendship, is more important than following formal traditions in achieving a deeper understanding of God and one's faith.

"All the saving knowledge of Christ, and all the sanctifying power of the Spirit, are to us in him, as he is revealed in the Scripture."

This quote by John Owen emphasizes that our understanding of Jesus Christ (saving knowledge) and the transformation we experience through the Holy Spirit (sanctification) are both derived solely from the Bible. In other words, Jesus, as revealed in scripture, is the source of our salvation and spiritual growth. The power of Jesus and the Spirit can only be accessed by studying and understanding the teachings found within the Scriptures.

"If we would walk in the Spirit, we must be dead to the world."

This quote by John Owen suggests that a person who desires to live according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit (walking in the Spirit) should have a mindset detached from worldly matters or desires (being dead to the world). In other words, focusing on spiritual growth requires setting aside personal interests and ambitions that may be driven by worldly standards, such as wealth, status, or popularity. This does not mean being uninvolved in the physical world, but rather prioritizing spiritual values over temporal ones.

"God will always make a way of escape for those who are willing to leave the way of sin."

This quote suggests that God provides a means of escape for individuals who choose to forsake a life led in sin. It implies that there is an alternative path, or "way" offered by God, which leads towards righteousness. The quote underlines the idea that when one willingly turns away from sin, God will facilitate their departure and guide them on this new, virtuous path.

Temptation is like a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his poison, his exercise or his destruction.

- John Owen

Poison, May, Cut, Temptation

Do you mortify? Do you make it your daily work? Be always at it whilst you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you.

- John Owen

Work, Will, Always, Whilst

In the divine Scriptures, there are shallows and there are deeps; shallows where the lamb may wade, and deeps where the elephant may swim.

- John Owen

May, Lamb, Where, Scriptures

After hearing the evidence, I will record a verdict of natural causes.

- John Owen

Will, Natural, Evidence, Verdict

All other ways of mortification are vain, all helps leave us helpless, it must be done by the Spirit.

- John Owen

Spirit, Vain, Other, Helpless

The vigor and power and comfort of our spiritual life depends on our mortification of deeds of the flesh.

- John Owen

Depends, Deeds, Vigor, Flesh

The custom of sinning takes away the sense of it, the course of the world takes away the shame of it.

- John Owen

World, Shame, Away, Custom

The most tremendous judgment of God in this world is the hardening of the hearts of men.

- John Owen

World, Most, Hardening, Hearts

I wish thy lot, now bad, still worse, my friend, for when at worst, they say, things always mend.

- John Owen

Always, I Wish, Still, Mend

The house built on the sand may oftentimes be built higher, have more fair parapets and battlements, windows and ornaments, than that which is built upon the rock; yet all gifts and privileges equal not one grace.

- John Owen

May, Privileges, Which, Ornament

All thing I thought I knew; but now confess, the more I know I know, I know the less.

- John Owen

Thought, More, Knew, Confess

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