John 5:39-47 - Willful Rejection Of Truth Condemned
Our Lord was accused by the Jews of Sabbath breaking. There were many grounds on which He might have claimed exoneration, but He forbore to use them. He dwelt on these things very lightly, lest He should direct men's attention to Himself, His one aim being to bring glory to His Father. In utter self-oblivion; in distinct refusal to act on His own authority-that is, to come in His own name; with the one desire to reveal the inner source of His life, Jesus said, I am come in my Father's name, John 5:43. Let us learn not to be too careful of our own reputation, standing, or honor; but to live at first-hand, taking our orders and the power to fulfill them direct from Christ. Too often we consult this man's opinion and that person's whim, and our course becomes tortuous and uncertain. What new interest we should take in the Pentateuch, if we really believed! John 5:46. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 5
1Jesus on the Sabbath day cures him who was diseased thirty-eight years 10The Jews therefore object, and persecute him for it 17He answers for himself, and reproves them, showing by the testimony of his Father, 31of John, 36of his works, 39and of the Scriptures, who he is
Greek Commentary for John 5:41
Glory from men [δοχαν παρα αντρωπων] Mere honour and praise Jesus does not expect from men (John 5:34). This is not wounded pride, for ambition is not Christ‘s motive. He is unlike the Jews (John 5:44; John 12:43; Matthew 6:1.) and seeks not his own glory, but the glory and fellowship of the Father (John 1:14; John 2:11; John 7:18). Paul did not seek glory from men (1 Thessalonians 2:6). [source]
I receive not honor from men [] The Greek order is: glory from men I receive not. Compare John 5:34. His glory consists in his loving fellowship with God. Men who do not love God are not in sympathy with Him. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 5:41
Romans 3:23The glory of God [τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ] Interpretations vary greatly. The glory of personal righteousness; that righteousness which God judges to be glory; the image of God in man; the glorying or boasting of righteousness before God; the approbation of God; the state of future glory. The dominant meanings of δόξα in classical Greek are notion, opinion, conjecture, repute. See on Revelation 1:6. In biblical usage: 1. Recognition, honor, Philemon 1:11; 1 Peter 1:7. It is joined with τιμή honor 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 2:7,Hebrews 2:9; 2 Peter 1:17. Opposed to ἀτιμὶα dishonor 1 Corinthians 11:14,1 Corinthians 11:15; 1 Corinthians 15:43; 2 Corinthians 6:8. With ζητέω toseek, 1 Thessalonians 2:6; John 5:44; John 7:18. With λαμβάνω toreceive, John 5:41,John 5:44. With δίδωμι togive, Luke 17:18; John 9:24. In the ascriptive phrase glory be to, Luke 2:14, and ascriptions in the Epistles. Compare Luke 14:10. 2. The glorious appearance which attracts the eye, Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:6; Luke 12:27. Hence parallel with εἰκών image μορφή form ὁμοίωμα likeness εἶδος appearancefigure, Romans 1:23; Psalm 17:15; Numbers 12:8. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The glory of God is used of the aggregate of the divine attributes and coincides with His self-revelation, Exodus 33:22; compare πρόσωπον face Exodus 33:23. Hence the idea is prominent in the redemptive revelation (Isaiah 60:3; Romans 6:4; Romans 5:2). It expresses the form in which God reveals Himself in the economy of salvation (Romans 9:23; 1 Timothy 1:11; Ephesians 1:12). It is the means by which the redemptive work is carried on; for instance, in calling, 2 Peter 1:3; in raising up Christ and believers with Him to newness of life, Romans 6:4; in imparting strength to believers, Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:11; as the goal of Christian hope, Romans 5:2; Romans 8:18,Romans 8:21; Titus 2:13. It appears prominently in the work of Christ - the outraying of the Father's glory (Hebrews 1:3), especially in John. See John 1:14; John 2:11, etc. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The sense of the phrase here is: they are coming short of the honor or approbation which God bestows. The point under discussion is the want of righteousness. Unbelievers, or mere legalists, do not approve themselves before God by the righteousness which is of the law. They come short of the approbation which is extended only to those who are justified by faith. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]
1 John 1:5We have heard of Him [ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπ ' αὐτοῦ] A form of expression not found elsewhere in John, who commonly uses παρ ' αὐτοῦ . See on John 6:46. The phrase here points to the ultimate and not necessarily the immediate source of the message. Not only John, but others in earlier times had heard this message. Compare 1 Peter 1:10,1 Peter 1:11. Ἁπό points to the source παρά to the giver. Thus, John 5:41, “ I receive not honor from ( παρά ) men.” They are not the bestowers of honor upon me.” John 5:44, “How can ye believe which receive honor from ( παρά ) one another;” the honor which men have to give, “and seek not the honor that cometh from ( παρά ) God;” the honor which God alone bestows. On the other hand, 1 John 3:22, “Whatsoever we ask we receive from ( ἀπό ) Him,” the ultimate source of our gifts. So Matthew 17:25: “Of ( ἀπό ) whom do the kings of the earth take custom - of ( ἀπό ) their own children or of ( ἀπό ) strangers?” What is the legitimate and ultimate source of revenue in states? [source]
Greek Commentary for John 5:41
Mere honour and praise Jesus does not expect from men (John 5:34). This is not wounded pride, for ambition is not Christ‘s motive. He is unlike the Jews (John 5:44; John 12:43; Matthew 6:1.) and seeks not his own glory, but the glory and fellowship of the Father (John 1:14; John 2:11; John 7:18). Paul did not seek glory from men (1 Thessalonians 2:6). [source]
The Greek order is: glory from men I receive not. Compare John 5:34. His glory consists in his loving fellowship with God. Men who do not love God are not in sympathy with Him. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 5:41
Interpretations vary greatly. The glory of personal righteousness; that righteousness which God judges to be glory; the image of God in man; the glorying or boasting of righteousness before God; the approbation of God; the state of future glory. The dominant meanings of δόξα in classical Greek are notion, opinion, conjecture, repute. See on Revelation 1:6. In biblical usage: 1. Recognition, honor, Philemon 1:11; 1 Peter 1:7. It is joined with τιμή honor 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 2:7, Hebrews 2:9; 2 Peter 1:17. Opposed to ἀτιμὶα dishonor 1 Corinthians 11:14, 1 Corinthians 11:15; 1 Corinthians 15:43; 2 Corinthians 6:8. With ζητέω toseek, 1 Thessalonians 2:6; John 5:44; John 7:18. With λαμβάνω toreceive, John 5:41, John 5:44. With δίδωμι togive, Luke 17:18; John 9:24. In the ascriptive phrase glory be to, Luke 2:14, and ascriptions in the Epistles. Compare Luke 14:10. 2. The glorious appearance which attracts the eye, Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:6; Luke 12:27. Hence parallel with εἰκών image μορφή form ὁμοίωμα likeness εἶδος appearancefigure, Romans 1:23; Psalm 17:15; Numbers 12:8. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- The glory of God is used of the aggregate of the divine attributes and coincides with His self-revelation, Exodus 33:22; compare πρόσωπον face Exodus 33:23. Hence the idea is prominent in the redemptive revelation (Isaiah 60:3; Romans 6:4; Romans 5:2). It expresses the form in which God reveals Himself in the economy of salvation (Romans 9:23; 1 Timothy 1:11; Ephesians 1:12). It is the means by which the redemptive work is carried on; for instance, in calling, 2 Peter 1:3; in raising up Christ and believers with Him to newness of life, Romans 6:4; in imparting strength to believers, Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:11; as the goal of Christian hope, Romans 5:2; Romans 8:18, Romans 8:21; Titus 2:13. It appears prominently in the work of Christ - the outraying of the Father's glory (Hebrews 1:3), especially in John. See John 1:14; John 2:11, etc. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- The sense of the phrase here is: they are coming short of the honor or approbation which God bestows. The point under discussion is the want of righteousness. Unbelievers, or mere legalists, do not approve themselves before God by the righteousness which is of the law. They come short of the approbation which is extended only to those who are justified by faith. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- [source]
A form of expression not found elsewhere in John, who commonly uses παρ ' αὐτοῦ . See on John 6:46. The phrase here points to the ultimate and not necessarily the immediate source of the message. Not only John, but others in earlier times had heard this message. Compare 1 Peter 1:10, 1 Peter 1:11. Ἁπό points to the source παρά to the giver. Thus, John 5:41, “ I receive not honor from ( παρά ) men.” They are not the bestowers of honor upon me.” John 5:44, “How can ye believe which receive honor from ( παρά ) one another;” the honor which men have to give, “and seek not the honor that cometh from ( παρά ) God;” the honor which God alone bestows. On the other hand, 1 John 3:22, “Whatsoever we ask we receive from ( ἀπό ) Him,” the ultimate source of our gifts. So Matthew 17:25: “Of ( ἀπό ) whom do the kings of the earth take custom - of ( ἀπό ) their own children or of ( ἀπό ) strangers?” What is the legitimate and ultimate source of revenue in states? [source]