What Does John 12:43 Mean in the King James?
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The same word names both kinds of praise: what changes is whose regard carries greater weight in you.
THE MEANING
The verse names the pull in you now: human approval and God’s regard compete, and the one you love more carries greater weight. When people’s approval governs you, even a conviction you hold can stay unspoken.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the lie that seeking people’s approval is harmless: their regard can outweigh your response to God.
THE ROOT
δόξαν
doxan
GROWS FROM
δοκέω / δόξα family (dok- / dox-)
δοκέω (dokeō) means to think, seem, or hold an opinion; δόξα (doxa) carries the sense of estimation or reputation, extending to honor and weight.
The same noun stands behind both instances of “praise,” so the verse compares the weight given to people’s regard with the weight given to God’s. The word holds both esteem and reputation: what others think can become the heaviest measure.
ALSO GROWS
dokeō: to think, seem, or hold an opinion
δοκέω
This branch reveals the judgment beneath “praise”: regard begins with what someone thinks or considers worthy.
doxazō: to honor or glorify
δοξάζω
This related verb shows praise as assigning honor and weight to someone.
THE PATTERN
Human regard becomes a trap when it outweighs the regard of God.
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.THE THREAD
How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?In John 12:43, both “praise” phrases translate δόξα (doxa, regard or weight); John 5:44 uses that same noun for honor received from one another and honor from God. The repeated word makes the competing sources of regard visible.
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