You’ve probably heard the word “glory” used in church or read it in the Bible.
But what does it really mean? Glory is actually a complex idea in Scripture with some surprising meanings.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at the original words behind “glory” and what they tell us.
You’ll see how glory is tied to God’s presence and reputation.
We’ll explore how human glory contrasts with God’s glory.
And we’ll consider what it means when the Bible says we fall short of God’s glory.
Get ready to gain some fresh insight into this rich biblical theme.
God’s glory is a central thread running all through the Bible.
A deeper understanding will enrich your faith.
So let’s dive in and uncover the biblical meaning of glory.
Defining Glory in the Bible
Glory is one of the most important concepts in the Bible.
God’s glory refers to His honor, power, and beauty.
According to the Bible, God’s glory is the visible manifestation of His character and presence.
God’s Glory in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, God’s glory was often represented as a bright light or cloud.
For example, God’s glory appeared as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night as the Israelites traveled through the wilderness.
When Moses went up on Mount Sinai, the glory of the Lord descended on the mountain in the form of a cloud.
The Glory of Jesus
In the New Testament, the glory of God is revealed in Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of John says that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus revealed God’s glory through His miracles, teaching, death, and resurrection.
Glory for Believers
As followers of Christ, God’s glory dwells in us.
We glorify God by living lives that reflect His character and point others to Him.
The Bible calls believers to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Our ultimate hope is that we will share in Christ’s glory in heaven.
Overall, the biblical meaning of glory refers to the radiant beauty, splendor, and honor of God’s presence.
It is a manifestation of His love, grace, and power.
For believers, God’s glory calls us to reflect His light to the world.
Glory of God in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, God’s glory is a visible manifestation of His presence.
When Moses went up Mount Sinai, the glory of the Lord descended in the form of a cloud.
The same happened when the tabernacle was built.
God’s glory filled the tabernacle, showing He dwelled there.
The Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant represented God’s throne on earth.
When the ark was placed in the tabernacle, God’s glory rested upon it.
The ark showed that God was with His people.
God’s Presence in the Temple
When Solomon built the temple, the glory of the Lord filled it.
God’s presence dwelled there, and His glory was a sign of His holiness.
The temple was where God met His people, so His glory had to fill it.
God’s Glory Departs
Due to the sins of Judah, God’s glory departed from the temple before the exile.
God’s glory left because of the people’s unfaithfulness and disobedience.
The loss of God’s glory was a tragedy, showing the separation of God from His people due to their sins.
In the Old Testament, the glory of God represented His holy and majestic presence.
When God’s glory filled the tabernacle and temple, it showed He dwelled among His people.
But when the glory departed, it signified God’s absence due to sin.
God’s glory is a visible reminder of His holiness, sovereignty, and relationship with His people.
Glory of God Revealed Through Jesus in the New Testament
In the New Testament, the glory of God is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is said to be “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3).
When Jesus performed miracles, like turning water into wine or healing the sick, the gospel writers often said the disciples “saw his glory” (John 2:11).
Jesus Reveals the Glory of God in His Teachings
Through parables and sermons, Jesus revealed the true nature of God’s kingdom and glory.
He taught his disciples the Beatitudes, showing them a vision of life in God’s kingdom that was very different from the world they knew.
He described God as a loving father who lavishes grace and mercy on his children.
Jesus’ teachings were a glimpse into the very heart and glory of God.
The Transfiguration Reveals Jesus’ Glory
At the transfiguration, Jesus’ disciples Peter, James and John saw Jesus transformed into a being of dazzling white light as he spoke with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:2).
God’s voice boomed from heaven, saying “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.
Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5).
This vision of Jesus’ glory confirmed that he was God’s Son and showed his disciples his divine nature and glory.
The Crucifixion Reveals the Glory of God’s Love
The crucifixion seemed like Jesus’ darkest hour, yet it revealed God’s glory in the most powerful way.
As Jesus died on the cross, God’s love for humanity was on full display.
Jesus willingly sacrificed himself to atone for the sins of the world and restore people’s relationship with God.
At the cross, “God’s love was revealed among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).
The crucifixion revealed the glory of God’s deep, sacrificial love.
Through Jesus’ life, teachings, transfiguration and death, the glory of God was revealed in a fuller way than ever before.
Jesus showed the world the radiance of God’s glory and the exact likeness of his being.
How Followers of Christ Obtain Glory
Live for God’s Glory, Not Your Own
As Christians, we are called to live for God’s glory, not our own.
This means humbling ourselves, dying to our selfish desires, and obeying God’s will for our lives.
When we live with the goal of bringing God glory in all we do, He will honor us in return.
As Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.
My Father will honor the one who serves me.” (John 12:26)
Spread the Gospel
We obtain glory by spreading the good news of Christ to those who have not yet heard it.
Jesus commanded us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) When we share the gospel with others, we store up treasures in heaven and spread God’s glory.
Use Your Gifts to Serve Others
God has given each of us spiritual gifts to build up the church and advance His kingdom.
When we use our gifts to serve others, we bring glory to God through our service.
As Peter wrote, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10) Whether it’s teaching, leadership, mercy, or another gift, use it for God’s glory.
Endure Suffering for Christ
Perhaps one of the greatest ways we can obtain glory as Christians is by enduring suffering for the sake of Christ.
When we face trials, hardships, and persecutions because of our faith, God is glorified.
As Peter wrote, “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name…if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (1 Peter 4:16) Our suffering and endurance bring glory to God and rewards in heaven.
In all these ways, faithful followers of Christ can spread God’s glory and obtain glory for themselves in return.
We live for His glory, spread the gospel, serve others with our gifts, and endure suffering – all to make His name known.
Our reward is eternal glory in His presence.
Practical Ways to Glorify God in Your Life
As Christians, we are called to glorify God in all areas of our lives.
This means reflecting His character through our thoughts, words, and deeds each day.
Here are some practical ways you can glorify God:
Serve others
Look for opportunities to serve the people around you with kindness and compassion.
Helping others in need glorifies God by demonstrating His love.
You can serve in your local church, volunteer in your community, or simply help out family and friends in small ways each day.
Live righteously
Strive to live a righteous life that honors God in all you do.
Treat others with love, honesty and respect.
Practice forgiveness and humility.
Avoid gossip and harmful speech.
Live with integrity at work or school.
The way you conduct yourself each day brings glory to God.
Give thanks
Develop an attitude of gratitude.
Praise and thank God each day for who He is and what He has done in your life.
Thank Him for the big and little blessings.
A heart of gratitude glorifies God because it acknowledges His goodness, provision and grace.
Share your faith
As you build relationships with others, look for opportunities to share your faith in a loving and compassionate way.
Talk about how God has worked in your own life.
Share the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus.
Making disciples and spreading the good news of Jesus brings glory to God.
Glorifying God with your life is a matter of surrendering each day to His will and purpose.
Look for practical ways to serve, love, give thanks and share your faith with others.
In doing so, you’ll reflect God’s amazing grace, goodness and love to the world around you.