Estimated Read Time: 9 minutes

Supporting Texts: 1 Chronicles 16:24, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Kings 8:10–11, Exodus 16:7, Exodus 33:18–19, Exodus 34:5–7, Exodus 40:34–35, Hebrews 1:3, Isaiah 6:3, John 1:14, John 17:3, Luke 2:9, Matthew 5:16, Philippians 4:19, Proverbs 3:5–6, Psalm 19:1, Psalm 29:2, Psalm 73:25–26, Revelation 21:23, Romans 3:23, Romans 8:17–18, Romans 10:9–10.

At our Wednesday night services for the past year or so, we've been doing a series that we call "Got Questions." During these Wednesday nights, we do our best to answer the questions our people submit. Every now and then, we receive a question like this—one that seems simple yet carries profound meaning that we may never fully comprehend.
What is the question?

What is glory?

It's probably a word that all of us in Christendom take for granted, right alongside questions like, "What is holy?" (A question we have also fielded, and one I'll probably write a follow-up article on at sometime.)

When you read verses like these:

Exodus 16:7 – "...and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against the LORD. For what are we, that you grumble against us?"

Luke 2:9 – "And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear."

Do you ever find yourself wondering, what does glory mean? And what does it mean to see God's glory or even be surrounded by it?

Let's start defining Glory by both its Hebrew and Greek word. 

In Hebrew, the word is kabod (kah-BODE). It is a word that specifically describes God Himself. It conveys the ideas of substance, importance, and weight. It describes that which carries weight, both physically and in influence.

1 Kings 8:10–11 – [10] And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD, [11] so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD."

This passage beautifully conveys the sense of the word. At the dedication of the Temple, the glory of the Lord filled His house to such an extent that the priests could not stand to minister. This was not merely an emotional or spiritual experience. it was certainly a physical experience. Due to God's presence they were literally unable to perform their duties. Likewise, after the completion of the Tabernacle, Moses himself could not enter because God's glory filled it. God's manifested presence in both of these cases tangibly interrupted the ordinary function of worship.

Writing this brings to my remembrance times during both corporate and personal worship when I have literally felt the weight of the Lord's presence. During worship services, with my hands raised, my head bowed, and tears flowing, I have experienced moments when His presence felt overwhelming, even at times bringing me to my knees in worship. Other times, while walking down the road in prayer, as is a custom of mine, I have suddenly become aware of a presence far greater than myself walking beside me.

These are moments when I have personally and physically experienced the glory of the Lord.

Yet this idea of weightiness goes even deeper. It also conveys the richness, power, authority, and majesty of the One who possesses such glory. This reminds me of Philippians 4:19, where Paul says that God "shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Throughout the Old Testament, we repeatedly encounter manifestations of God's presence: the burning bush, the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day, and the vision of the Lord seated upon His throne in Isaiah 6.

From these passages, we can understand that glory describes both God Himself and His manifested presence.

However, it goes even further.

When Moses asked to see God's glory in Exodus 33:18–19, God answered by proclaiming His own character in Exodus 34:5–7, revealing Himself as gracious, merciful, longsuffering, and abounding in steadfast love. In doing so, God revealed that His glory is not only His presence but also His moral perfection and holy character.

In the Old Testament, God's glory is described as both who He is (Isa. 6:3) and His manifested presence (Ex. 40:34–35). What of the the New Testament and its use of the Greek word doxa that is translated glory?

Note: Doxa is also the word chosen by the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) to translate kabod.

The word doxa literally means "to think." From this comes the ideas of opinion, reputation, honor, and praise. It describes what people think about someone and the honor that is rightly attributed to them. It is from this word that we get our word "Doxology." A word that  refers to a short hymn of praise often added to the end of certain New Testament books and liturgical psalms and hymns. The word itself combines two Greek elements: doxa (glory) and logia (words or speech). Literally this translates to, “words of glory” or “speaking glory.”

This Greek concept beautifully complements the Hebrew idea of kabod. First it describes God's glory as who He is and His manifested presence, then it extends to our response of praise and proclaimation when we recognize His Glory.  

After all, what is there not to praise God for?

Psalm 19 tells us that, "creation declares the glory of God." We can (and should) praise Him for His creative power.

Even more though, we praise Him for Christ and His work of redemption.

John 1:14 tells us that the Word became flesh, and we beheld His glory. Hebrews 1:3 describes Christ as "the radiance of the glory of God."

Because of Christ, we no longer fear falling short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Instead, we look forward to being glorified with Him (Rom. 8:17–18). One day we shall appear with Him in glory, and God's glory will illuminate the New Creation itself (Rev. 21:23).

Because of Christ, we no longer worry about judgment, but rather have the hope of new creation and of being in His prescence where we shall behold His manifested glory with our own eyes, and we will praise Him forever for His glorious work of redemption.

What then is Glory?

In theological terms it encompasses both what God displays (His general attributes and manifested presence) and what creation offers in response. The concept operates on two levels:

• Excellence and praiseworthiness that God sets forth visibly
• The honor and adoration that believers express in return.

1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

How, then, can we consistently glorify God so that others may know Him and behold His glory through the redemption accomplished by Christ?

• Know Him (John 17:3)
• Worship Him (Psalm 29:2)
• Obey Him (1 Corinthians 10:31)
• Trust Him (Proverbs 3:5–6)
• Declare Him (1 Chronicles 16:24)
• Serve Him (Matthew 5:16)
• Enjoy Him (Psalm 73:25–26)

As noted above, the first and greatest way to glorify God is to know Him. That begins by acknowledging that we have sinned and fall short of His glory (Rom. 3:23). But if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Rom. 10:9–10), you shall be saved. One day, you too will be glorified with Him (Rom. 8:17–18).

One day we will all stand physically before Him and gaze upon His radiance (Heb. 1:3), for He Himself will be the light of all things (Rev. 21:23).

Until then, learn His Word and His ways. Dedicate your life to Him, and declare His glorious work of salvation to others.

If you do these things, you will glorify God.

God Bless!