John 7:18

Proof almost in the form of a syllogism that He does not speak of Himself. It applies to Christ alone. Human teachers who seek God's glory are not thereby secured from erroneous teaching. These verses (16 18) remind us, and might remind some of His hearers of an earlier discourse delivered in Jerusalem some seven months before: comp. John 5:19; John 5:30; John 5:37; John 5:44.

the same is true and therefore does not speak of himself, for whoever speaks what comes from himself is not true.

no unrighteousness is in him Or, unrighteousness is not in him. S. John does not say -falsehood" as we might expect, but uses a wider word which points out the moral root of the falsehood. Comp. John 8:46. Throughout S. John's writings the connexion between truth and righteousness, falsehood and unrighteousness is often brought before us. Hence his peculiar phrases -to dothe truth" (1 John 1:6), -to do a lie" (Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:15).

There is no need to suppose that anything is omitted between 18 and 19, though the transition is abrupt. Christ has answered them and now takes the offensive. He exposes the real meaning of their cavillings; they seek His life.