John 7:18

Authorized 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
ἀφ'
G575
of
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#3
ἑαυτοῦ
G1438
himself
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#4
λαλῶν
G2980
He that speaketh
to talk, i.e., utter words
#5
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
δόξαν
G1391
glory
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
#7
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
ἰδίαν
G2398
his own
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
#9
ζητῶν
G2212
he that seeketh
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
#10
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
δὲ
G1161
but
but, and, etc
#12
ζητῶν
G2212
he that seeketh
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
#13
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
δόξαν
G1391
glory
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
#15
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
πέμψαντος
G3992
that sent
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term
#17
αὐτῷ
G846
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#18
οὗτος
G3778
the same
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
#19
ἀληθής
G227
true
true (as not concealing)
#20
ἔστιν
G2076
is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#21
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#22
ἀδικία
G93
unrighteousness
(legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act)
#23
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#24
αὐτῷ
G846
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#25
οὐκ
G3756
no
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#26
ἔστιν
G2076
is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing righteousness contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on divine love particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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