John 7:18

18 Those who teach their own ideas are trying to get honor for themselves. But those who try to bring honor to the one who sent him speak the truth, and there is nothing false in them.

John 7:18 Meaning and Commentary

John 7:18

He that speaketh of himself
. What he himself has devised, and is a scheme of his own; for which he has no divine warrant and commission:

seeketh his own glory;
honour and applause from men; as did the Scribes and Pharisees, who taught for doctrines the commandments of men, the traditions of the elders, their own glosses upon the law, and their own decisions and determinations: and as did the false teachers, who had nothing else in view but themselves, their worldly interest, or vain glory; these suited their doctrines to the minds and lusts of men, in order to gain their point:

but he that seeketh his glory that sent him;
that gave him in commission what he should say and speak, and his only; as did Christ, and so his apostles after him:

the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him;
he is an upright and faithful man, and what he says is truth; he brings true doctrine along with him, and there is no fraud or imposture in him; nor any insincerity "in his heart", as the Syriac and Persic versions render it; nor any dishonesty in his conduct; he is no cheat or deceiver; was he, he would seek his own glory and interest; but as he appears to be a man of no design, his doctrine is to be depended on and received; and such was Christ.

John 7:18 In-Context

16 Jesus answered, "The things I teach are not my own, but they come from him who sent me.
17 If people choose to do what God wants, they will know that my teaching comes from God and not from me.
18 Those who teach their own ideas are trying to get honor for themselves. But those who try to bring honor to the one who sent him speak the truth, and there is nothing false in them.
19 Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys that law. Why are you trying to kill me?"
20 The people answered, "A demon has come into you. We are not trying to kill you."
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.