Charles Ellicott Commentary John 7:18

"He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him." — John 7:18 (ASV)

He that speaketh of himself.—Again the words repeat the thoughts of the earlier discourse. (See Notes on John 5:41-44.) They contrast His position and that of His hearers. Professional teachers, they sought glory from one another, and regarded their teaching as from themselves, the special honor of their caste. In the pride of their own knowledge they were unwilling to seek the glory of God, and so lacked the capacity to know and receive His teaching.

He sought the will of Him who sent Him, and therefore was true, in harmony with the eternal will of God. The effect of the submission of His will to the Father’s, and His seeking in word and work the Father’s glory, was that there was no possibility of unrighteousness in Him. This emphasis on truth and righteousness refers to the charges which they were plotting against Him, and which have already been expressed in the murmuring of the multitude (John 7:12). The words are clearly to be explained with special reference to their position and His, but the general form of the expressions, "He that speaketh of himself ..." "He that seeketh His glory ..." show that this is not the exclusive reference. They, too, apply to every man who speaks of himself, and to every man who seeks the glory of Him who sent Him.