Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 7:17

"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 (ASV)

“If any one chooses to do God’s will” means there must be a definite act of the human will in order to do God’s will—a settled, determined purpose to fulfill it. Spiritual understanding is not produced solely by learning facts or procedures; rather, it depends on obedience to known truth. Obedience to God’s known will develops discernment between falsehood and truth.