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.
Parallel translations
- WEB He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
- NASB The one who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
- NLT Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
One who speaks on his own seeks his own glory, but Jesus seeks the glory of the One who sent Him, proving He is true and without unrighteousness. His selfless aim authenticates His message.
Overview
Jesus offers a test for genuine messengers from God: they seek God's glory, not their own reputation. Because Jesus consistently directs glory to the Father, His truthfulness and sinlessness are confirmed. This selfless devotion stands in sharp contrast to false teachers and ultimately points to the cross, where the Son glorifies the Father by laying down His life.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- John 5:41I do not accept glory from men,
- John 13:31–32When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.
- 1 Cor 10:31–33So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
- Phil 2:3–5Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
- John 12:28Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
- John 8:49–50“I do not have a demon,” Jesus replied, “but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.
- John 3:26–30So 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.”
- 1 Th 2:6Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
- Matt 6:9So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
- John 17:4–5I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.
- 1 Pet 4:11If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
- Prov 25:27It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
- John 8:54Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say ‘He is our God.’
- Num 11:29But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!”
- Exod 32:10–13Now leave Me alone, so that My anger may burn against them and consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”
- John 11:4When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
- Gal 6:12–14Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 7:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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