Bible Strands
John 5:44
How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus is addressing the Jewish audience in John 5, mid-confrontation, after they have rejected his testimony (v. 43) and before he names Moses as their accuser (v. 45).
The words — doxan (δόξαν), "glory," is the hinge word, appearing in both halves of the sentence: glory received from one another versus glory sought from God. The verse is structured as a contrast of direction, not a contrast of amount.
The thread — John 12:43 states the same diagnosis in plainer terms: "they loved praise from men more than praise from God."
Why it lands — The verse identifies the obstacle to belief as a misdirected desire for honor, not a shortage of evidence; it asks the reader to name where they actually seek validation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
Cross-references
- John 12:43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
- Romans 2:29 No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.
- Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
- Matthew 23:5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
- Romans 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
- 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.
- 1 Peter 1:7 so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- Romans 2:7 To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.
- Romans 2:10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, first for the Jew, then for the Greek.
- 2 Chronicles 6:8 But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.