John 7:18

He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to the crowd in the temple courts during the Feast of Tabernacles, immediately after challenging them to test whether his teaching originates from God or from himself (John 7:17).

The words — δόξαν (doxan, "glory") paired with ἰδίαν (idian, "one's own") forms the phrase "one's own glory," the thing the speaker either seeks or refuses to seek.

The thread — Jesus states the same principle in John 5:41 ("I do not accept glory from men"), and John 13:31 shows its fulfillment: "the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him." Philippians 2:3 applies the ethic to the community: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride."

Why it lands — It hands the reader a test for evaluating any teacher: trace where the glory goes. If the message points back to the sender, it is true; if it points to the speaker, it is not.

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

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Cross-references

John 5:41 I do not accept glory from men,
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
John 13:31 When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
John 8:49 “I do not have a demon,” Jesus replied, “but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.
John 12:28 Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
Matthew 6:9 So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
John 3:26 So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Look, Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.”
John 17:4 I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.
1 Thessalonians 2:6 Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.