John 7:18

Amharic New Standard Translation (አማርኛ አዲሱ መደበኛ ትርጉም) 2005

ከገዛ ራሱ የሚናገር የገዛ ራሱን ክብር ይፈልጋል፤ የላኪውን ክብር የሚፈልግ ግን እውነተኛ ነው፤ ሐሰትም የለበትም።

What Does This Mean?

In this verse from John's Gospel, Jesus is speaking and he says that someone who speaks only about themselves cares more about their own fame. But if they speak to glorify the one who sent them, then what they say is true and good.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a friend who always talks about how great they are at playing video games. That's not very nice, right? Now think about your friend talking about how awesome their parents are because that’s where they learned to play well. That’s much nicer! Jesus is saying it’s better when we talk about what God wants us to say.

Historical Background

This verse comes from the Gospel of John, written around 90-100 AD by an anonymous author believed to be the disciple John. It was written for early Christian communities in Asia Minor who needed guidance on living a faithful life amidst persecution and misunderstandings about Jesus' teachings.

Living It Out Today

Imagine you're giving a speech at work and decide to focus less on your achievements and more on how great your company is and what it stands for, much like this verse suggests. This not only reflects well on the company but also on you as someone who cares about something bigger than just yourself.

Topics

• glory
• truth
• righteousness
• selflessness
• faithfulness
• servant leadership

Related Verses

• John 5:30
• John 8:29
• 1 Corinthians 10:31
• Isaiah 42:8
• Matthew 6:3

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this verse mean that we should never talk about our accomplishments?

No, the verse suggests a balance. It's important to remember that true glory comes from recognizing and praising the source of all good things, which includes acknowledging God in your achievements.

How can I know if I am seeking my own glory or God’s?

Reflect on your motives. If you find yourself boasting about personal achievements without giving credit to others or to God, you might be seeking your own glory. Seeking God's glory involves acknowledging His role in all that we do.

What does it mean by 'no unrighteousness is in him'?

This phrase emphasizes the purity of a person who seeks to glorify others, particularly God. It means such a person’s actions are aligned with righteousness and not driven by selfish motives.

How can this verse guide our interactions in social media?

On social media, we can apply this principle by sharing content that brings glory to God or others, rather than focusing on self-promotion. It's about lifting up others and giving credit where it’s due.