Joh 7:18, 8:50, 54, 12:43 | Barnes | STEP | 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 . 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"

John 7:18

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

John 8:50

Verse 50. Mine own glory. My own praise or honour. In all his teaching this was true. He did not seek to exalt or to vindicate himself. He was willing to lie under reproach and to be despised. He regarded little, therefore, their taunts and accusations; and even now, he says, he would not seek to vindicate himself.

There is one that seeketh and judgeth. God will take care of my reputation. He seeks my welfare and honour, and I may commit my cause into his hands without attempting my own vindication. From these verses (Jn 8:46-50) we may learn--

1st. That where men have no sound arguments, they attempt to overwhelm their adversaries by calling odious and reproachful names. Accusations of heresy and schism, and the use of reproachful terms, are commonly proof that men are not only under the influence of unchristian feeling, but that they have no sound reasons to support their cause.

2nd. It is right to vindicate ourselves from such charges, but it should not be done by rendering railing for railing. "In meekness we should instruct those that oppose

themselves, if God peradventure will give them

repentance to the acknowledging of the truth,"

2Ti 2:25.

3rd. We should not regard it as necessarily dishonourable if we lie under reproach. If we have a good conscience, if we have examined for ourselves, if we are conscious that we are seeking the glory of God, we Should be willing, as Jesus was, to bear reproach, believing that God will in due time avenge us, and bring forth our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as the noon-day, Ps 37:6.

(w) "I seek not" Jn 5:41

John 8:54

Verse 54. If I honour myself. If I commend or praise myself. If I had no other honour and sought no other honour than that which proceeds from a desire to glorify myself.

My honour is nothing. My commendation or praise of myself would be of no value. Jn 5:31.

(y) "If I honour" Jn 5:31,41 (z) "it is my Father" Jn 17:1.

John 12:43

Verse 43. The praise of men. The approbation of men. It does not appear that they had a living, active faith, but that they were convinced in their understanding that he was the Messiah. They had that kind of faith which is so common among men--a speculative acknowledgment that religion is true, but an acknowledgment which leads to no self-denial, which shrinks from the active duties of piety, and fears man more than God. True faith is active. It overcomes the fear of man; it prompts to self-denying duties, Heb 11:1. Nevertheless, it was no unimportant proof that Jesus was the Messiah, that any part of the great council of the Jews were even speculatively convinced of it: and it shows that the evidence could not have been slight when it overcame their prejudices and pride, and constrained them to admit that the lowly and poor man of Nazareth was the long- expected Messiah of their nation.

Did not confess him. Did not openly avow their belief that he was the Messiah. Two of them, however, did afterward evince their attachment to him. These were Joseph and Nicodemus, Jn 19:38,39. That Joseph was one of them appears from Mk 15:43, Lk 23:50,51.

(u) "For they loved the praise" Jn 5:44, Rom 2:29