12:43

For: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For here means “because.” It introduces a reason why these Jews did not want to be thrown out of the synagogue.

they loved praise from men more than praise from God: The word they refers to the believers who did not confess that they believed in Jesus. They wanted people to accept and praise them more than they wanted God to praise them. They cared more about what people said about them than what God said about them. Consider how it is natural to make this comparison. For example:

they loved human praise more than the praise of God (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
They were more concerned to have the approval of men than to have the approval of God. (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

In some languages it may be natural to make this comparison using opposite or contrasting statements. For example:

They wanted people to praise them and/but they did not care if God praised them.
-or-
The praise of humans was important to them; the praise of God did not matter.

praise from men: This phrase here means “the glory that humans give” or “honor/praise from other people.” See Key Biblical Terms Glory 3. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

what people thought of them (God’s Word)

praise from God: This phrase refers to the honor and praise that God gives to a person who does what pleases him. See Key Biblical Terms Glory 3. It is recommended that you translate praise here the same way that you translated it in “praise from men” just above.

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