John 7:17

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.

If {G1437} any man {G5100} will {G2309} do {G4160} his {G846} will {G2307}, he shall know {G1097} of {G4012} the doctrine {G1322}, whether {G4220} it be {G2076} of {G1537} God {G2316}, or {G2228} whether I {G1473} speak {G2980} of {G575} myself {G1683}.

If anyone wants to do his will, he will know whether my teaching is from God or I speak on my own.

If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.

If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.

John 7:17 (KJV) presents a profound principle regarding spiritual discernment: "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself." This verse is part of Jesus’ discourse during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, where His teachings and identity were under intense scrutiny.

Context

During the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus was teaching in the Temple, astonishing many with His wisdom. The people debated His authority and the origin of His teachings. In John 7:16, Jesus clarifies that His doctrine is not His own, but from Him who sent Him. Verse 17 then offers a practical method for anyone to ascertain the divine source of His message, addressing the skepticism of the crowd and offering a path to genuine understanding.

Key Themes

  • Obedience as a Prerequisite for Spiritual Understanding: The verse establishes a direct link between a willingness to obey God’s will and the ability to discern spiritual truth. It suggests that genuine understanding of divine doctrine is not merely an intellectual exercise but an experiential one, rooted in practical commitment. This echoes the sentiment found in James 1:22, which urges believers to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only."
  • The Divine Source of Jesus' Teaching: At its core, the verse addresses the critical question of whether Jesus' teachings are human or divine. Jesus asserts that a person genuinely committed to God's will can recognize the divine authority behind His words, affirming His connection to the Father and the authenticity of His message.
  • Experiential Knowledge: The promise "he shall know" implies more than mere intellectual assent. It speaks of a deep, personal, and experiential knowledge that comes from living out the principles of God's will. This kind of spiritual wisdom is distinct from academic knowledge, providing internal conviction about the truth of Christ's doctrine.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "will do" in the KJV translation of "If any man will do his will" comes from the Greek word thelei poiein (θέλει ποιεῖν), which more accurately means "desires to do" or "is willing to do." This highlights the crucial element of inclination and readiness of heart towards obedience, rather than just the capacity to perform an action. It's about a sincere desire to align with God's purposes. The term "doctrine" is from the Greek didachē (διδαχή), referring to teaching or instruction, emphasizing the content of Jesus' proclamation.

Practical Application

John 7:17 offers a powerful challenge and encouragement for believers today. It teaches that true spiritual discernment often follows active faith and obedience, rather than preceding it. If you seek to understand God's truth, especially concerning the claims of Christ, commit to doing God's will as you understand it. As you step out in obedience, clarity and conviction about the divine origin of Jesus' teachings will follow. This principle encourages us to move beyond intellectual skepticism to a posture of active engagement with God's word, promising that a sincere heart seeking to obey will ultimately recognize divine truth and the authority of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 8:31

    ¶ Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;

  • John 8:32

    And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

  • Jeremiah 31:33

    But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  • Jeremiah 31:34

    And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

  • John 8:43

    Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word.

  • John 8:47

    He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God.

  • Philippians 3:15

    ¶ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
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