Joh 7:16-18 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 16. My doctrine . My teaching , or what I teach. This is the proper meaning of the word doctrine . It is what is taught us, and, as applied to religion, it is what is taught us by God in the holy Scriptures. Is not mine . It is not originated by me . Though I have not learned in your schools, yet you are not to infer that the doctrine which I teach is devised or invented by me. I teach nothing that is contrary to the will of God, and which he has not ap- pointed me to teach. His that sent me . God's. It is such as he approves, and such as he has commissioned me to teach. The doctrine is divine in its origin and in its nature. (h) "not mine"

John 7:16-18

Verse 16. My doctrine. My teaching, or what I teach. This is the proper meaning of the word doctrine. It is what is taught us, and, as applied to religion, it is what is taught us by God in the holy Scriptures.

Is not mine. It is not originated by me. Though I have not learned in your schools, yet you are not to infer that the doctrine which I teach is devised or invented by me. I teach nothing that is contrary to the will of God, and which he has not ap- pointed me to teach.

His that sent me. God's. It is such as he approves, and such as he has commissioned me to teach. The doctrine is divine in its origin and in its nature.

(h) "not mine" Jn 8:28, 12:49 Verse 17. If any man will do his will. Literally, if any man wills or is willing to do the will of God. If there is a disposition in anyone to do that will, though he should not be able perfectly to keep his commandments. To do the will of God is to obey his commandments; to yield our hearts and lives to his requirements. A disposition to do his will is a readiness to yield our intellects, our feelings, and all that we have entirely to him, to be governed according to his pleasure.

He shall know. He shall have evidence, in the very attempt to do the will of God, of the truth of the doctrine. This evidence is internal, and to the individual it is satisfactory and conclusive. It is of two kinds.

1st. He will find that the doctrines which Jesus taught are such as commend themselves to his reason and conscience, and such as are consistent with all that we know of the perfections of God. His doctrines commend themselves to us as fitted to make us pure and happy, and of course they are such as must be from God.

2nd. An honest desire to obey God will lead a man to embrace the great doctrines of the Bible. He will find that his heart is depraved and inclined to evil, and he will see and feel the truth of the doctrine of depravity; he will find that he is a sinner and needs to be born again; he will learn his own weakness, and see his need of a Saviour, of an atonement, and of pardoning mercy; he will feel that he is polluted, and needs the purifying influence of the Holy Spirit. Thus we may learn,

1st. That an honest effort to obey God is the easiest way to become acquainted with the doctrines of the Bible.

2nd. Those who make such an effort will not cavil at any of the doctrines of the Scriptures.

3rd. This is evidence of the truth of revelation which every man can apply to his own case.

4th. It is such evidence as to lead to certainty. No man who has ever made an honest effort to live a pious life, and to do all the will of God, has ever had any doubt of the truth of the Saviour's doctrines, or any doubt that his religion is true and is fitted to the nature of man. They only doubt the truth of religion who wish to live in sin.

5th. We see the goodness of God in giving us evidence of his truth that may be within every man's reach. It does not require great learning to be a Christian, and to be convinced of the truth of the Bible. It requires an honest heart, and a willingness to obey God.

Whether it be of God. Whether it be divine.

Or whether I speak of myself. Of myself without being commissioned or directed by God.

(i) "if any man do his will" Jn 8:43 Verse 18. That speaketh of himself. This does not mean about or concerning himself, but he that speaks by his own authority, without being sent by God, as mere human teachers do.

Seeketh his own glory. His own praise, or seeks for reputation and applause. This is the case with mere human teachers, and as Jesus in his discourses manifestly sought to honour God, they ought to have supposed that he was sent by him.

No unrighteousness. This word here means, evidently, there is no falsehood, no deception in him. He is not an impostor. It is used in the same sense in 2Thes 2:10-12. It is true that there was no unrighteousness, no sin in Jesus Christ, but that is not the truth taught here. It is that he was not an impostor, and the evidence of this was that he sought not his own glory, but the honour of God. This evidence was furnished,

1st. In his retiring, unobtrusive disposition; in his not seeking the applause of men.

2nd. In his teaching such doctrines as tended to exalt God and humble man.

3rd. In his ascribing all glory and praise to God.

(l) "but he that seeketh" Prov 25:27