Ἰωάννην 7:17

Greek Modern Translation

Εαν τις θελη να καμη το θελημα αυτου, θελει γνωρισει περι της διδαχης, αν ηναι εκ του Θεου η αν εγω λαλω απ' εμαυτου.

Parallel Translations

Byzantine/Majority Text
εαν τις θελη το θελημα αυτου ποιειν γνωσεται περι της διδαχης ποτερον εκ του θεου εστιν η εγω απ εμαυτου λαλω

SBL Greek New Testament (2010)
ἐάν τις θέλῃ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιεῖν, γνώσεται περὶ τῆς διδαχῆς πότερον ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν ἢ ἐγὼ ἀπ ἐμαυτοῦ λαλῶ.

Tischendorf 8th Edition
ἐάν τις θέλῃ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ποιεῖν, γνώσεται περὶ τῆς διδαχῆς πότερον ἐκ θεοῦ ἐστὶν ἢ ἐγὼ ἀπ’ ἐμαυτοῦ λαλῶ.

Textus Receptus (1550/1894)
εαν τις θελη το θελημα αυτου ποιειν γνωσεται περι της διδαχης ποτερον εκ του θεου εστιν η εγω απ εμαυτου λαλω

Westcott/Hort UBS4 (1881)
εαν τιρ θελη το θελημα αυτου ποιειν γνωσεται περι τηρ διδαχηρ ποτερον εκ του θεου εστιν η εγω απ εμαυτου λαλω

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

John 1:46-49, John 8:31, John 8:32, John 8:43, John 8:47, Psalms 25:8, Psalms 25:9, Psalms 25:12, Psalms 119:10, Psalms 119:101, Psalms 119:102, Isaiah 35:8, Jeremiah 31:33, Jeremiah 31:34, Hosea 6:3, Micah 4:2, Malachi 4:2, Matthew 6:22, Luke 8:15, Acts 10:1-6, Acts 11:13, Acts 11:14, Acts 17:11, Philippians 3:15, Philippians 3:16

Reciprocal: Numbers 9:8 - I will 1 Kings 10:3 - told her Psalms 24:5 - receive Psalms 25:14 - secret Psalms 50:23 - to him Psalms 85:9 - Surely Psalms 119:34 - Give me Psalms 119:166 - and done Proverbs 4:2 - good Proverbs 8:9 - General Proverbs 11:3 - The integrity Proverbs 17:24 - before Proverbs 28:5 - General Isaiah 2:3 - he will teach Isaiah 56:1 - Keep Isaiah 59:21 - my words Jeremiah 50:5 - ask Daniel 12:10 - but the wise Matthew 6:10 - Thy will Matthew 7:21 - that Matthew 13:11 - Because Mark 3:35 - do Mark 4:2 - in his Mark 4:8 - fell John 2:9 - but John 3:19 - because John 8:12 - shall have John 9:31 - and doeth John 9:37 - Thou John 17:7 - they John 18:37 - Every Acts 10:6 - he shall Acts 17:12 - many Acts 18:26 - expounded 1 Corinthians 2:15 - judgeth 2 Corinthians 6:8 - as Ephesians 5:17 - understanding Colossians 1:9 - of his 1 Thessalonians 4:3 - this 1 Timothy 4:6 - good doctrine Hebrews 10:36 - after Hebrews 13:21 - to do 1 Peter 4:2 - the will 1 John 2:17 - but 2 John 1:9 - the doctrine

Gill's Notes on the Bible

If any man will do his will,.... Meaning, not one that perfectly fulfils the law, which is the good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God; for there is no man that does this, or can do it; nor is it so said here, "if any man do his will", but "if any man will do" it; that is, is desirous of doing it; who has it wrought in him both to will and do, of the good pleasure of God, by his grace and Spirit; with whom to will is present, though, he has not power to perform, and so is a spiritual man; and who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, which is one branch of the will of God; and who depends upon the Spirit and grace of God, and acts from a principle of love to God, and in the exercise of faith on Christ:

he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself; not a man of mere natural knowledge and learning, or a man of theory and speculation, is a judge of doctrine; but he that leans not to his own understanding, and implores the assistance of the Divine Spirit, and who is for reducing doctrine into practice: he knows by the efficacy of the doctrine upon his heart, and the influence it has on his life and conversation; by its coming not in word only, but in power; and by its working effectually in him, whether it is divine or human, of God or of man.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

If any man will do his will - Literally, if any man wills or is willing to do the will of God. If there is a disposition in anyone to do that will, though he should not be able perfectly to keep His commandments. To do the will of God is to obey His commandments; to yield our hearts and lives to His requirements. A disposition to do His will is a readiness to yield our intellects, our feelings, and all that we have entirely to Him, to be governed according to His pleasure.

He shall know - He shall have evidence, in the very attempt to do the will of God, of the truth of the doctrine. This evidence is internal, and to the individual it is satisfactory and conclusive. It is of two kinds.

1. He will find that the doctrines which Jesus taught are such as commend themselves to his reason and conscience, and such as are consistent with all that we know of the perfections of God. His doctrines commend themselves to us as fitted to make us pure and happy, and of course they are such as must be from God.

2. An honest desire to obey God will lead a man to embrace the great doctrines of the Bible. He will find that his heart is depraved and inclined to evil, and he will see and feel the truth of the doctrine of depravity; he will find that he is a sinner and needs to be born again; he will learn his own weakness, and see his need of a Saviour, of an atonement, and of pardoning mercy; he will feel that he is polluted, and needs the purifying influence of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, we may learn:

1. That an honest effort to obey God is the easiest way to become acquainted with the doctrines of the Bible.
2. Those who make such an effort will not cavil at any of the doctrines of the Scriptures.
3. This is evidence of the truth of revelation which every person can apply to his own case.
4. It is such evidence as to lead to certainty. No one who has ever made an honest effort to live a pious life, and to do all the will of God, has ever had any doubt of the truth of the Saviour’s doctrines, or any doubt that his religion is true and is suited to the nature of man. They only doubt the truth of religion who wish to live in sin.
5. We see the goodness of God in giving us evidence of his truth that may be within every man’s reach. It does not require great learning to be a Christian, and to be convinced of the truth of the Bible. It requires an honest heart, and a willingness to obey God.

Whether it be of God - Whether it be divine.

Or whether I speak of myself - Of myself without being commissioned or directed by God.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse John 7:17. If any man wilt do his will, c.] I will give you a sure rule by which ye may judge of my doctrine: If you really wish to do the will of God, begin the practice of it and take my doctrine, and apply it to all that you know God requires of man; and if you find one of my precepts contrary to the nature, perfections, and glory of God, or to the present or eternal welfare of men, then ye shall be at liberty to assert that my doctrine is human and erroneous, and God has not sent me. But if, on the contrary, ye find that the sum and substance of my preaching is, That men shall love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and their neighbour as themselves; and that this doctrine must bring glory to God in the highest, while it produces peace and good will among men; then acknowledge that God has visited you, and receive me as the Messiah promised to your fathers.