The word “glory” (and the verb “to glorify”) is often used in gatherings. It is used especially in prayers. What it means remains somewhat vague for many listeners. Therefore, we want to take up this expression briefly and explain it.

What it is about

The Greek word for “glory” originally means “opinion, reputation, radiance.” In biblical usage, it refers to what makes a person special. It refers to what distinguishes that person. The related verb “to glorify” therefore means this. It means making someone great, honoring them, and placing them in the right light. It is mostly used with reference to divine persons. Then God’s greatness becomes visible. It shows how beautiful and perfect God is. This includes God and the Lord Jesus. “Glory” has aptly been described as excellence made visible.

In the New Testament, glory has various facets. These include the eternal glory of God Himself. They include the glory of Christ as man and Son of God. They include the glory that believers share with Him now and in the future.

Christ glorified God the Father

The Lord Jesus glorified God the Father. He showed who God is. This happened throughout His entire life. It reached its climax at the cross. There, as the Son of Man, He glorified God (John 13:31). Where Adam failed, the Man from heaven did not fail. In addition, the Son glorified the Father on earth (John 17:4). Whoever saw the Son saw the Father (John 14:9). This means He revealed the Father’s nature perfectly. In His life, His service, and His work, God’s love and light became clearly visible. His mercy and holiness were also clearly visible. People could recognize Him. They could do so without ever seeing Him with their own eyes. He represented Him. He did so not only through words. He did so through His whole being.

The Son of Man is glorified

The life and death of our Lord not only show who God the Father is. It also shows how perfect Christ was as man. He Himself says with reference to the cross, “Now the Son of Man is glorified” (John 13:31). Everything God could expect from us humans was seen in the Man Jesus Christ. We never fulfilled it. It was visible in His life. It was visible especially in His death.

God glorifies the Son

After the Lord Jesus went the path of obedience to the cross, God glorified Him. That means He raised Him. He took Him up into heaven. He seated Him at His right hand (John 13:31–32; Philippians 2:9–11; Hebrews 2:9). This glory is God’s answer to the completed work at the cross. The One who was despised and rejected on earth now sits in power and honor in heaven. His glory is the visible expression of God’s approval of His work.

Our task: glorify God

Today, we are called to glorify God in our lives. Paul writes, “Therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20). He also writes, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory [literally: glory] of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). This means we make something of God visible in our lives. We honor Him through obedience to Him. We honor Him through love for one another. We honor Him through a life in the light. We honor Him through a testimony before the world. We reflect something of His beauty by becoming like Christ. This is also true. We cannot objectively make God’s nature greater. He is perfect. But we can make His nature recognizable to others.

Glory in the Future

We are called by glory and to glory (1 Peter 5:10; 2 Peter 1:3). We await the glory that Christ already possesses as man. He will share it with us in the coming kingdom (John 17:22). Believers will not only be witnesses. They will also be partakers of this glory (Romans 8:18; Colossians 3:4). But not only that. In the Father’s house, He shows us His glory (John 17:24). It is His eternal glory as Son. God has now also given it to Him as man.

Conclusion

Glory describes the visible greatness and excellence of God. Christ glorified God the Father by revealing Him perfectly. The Father glorified the Son by giving Him a place at His right hand. Today, we glorify God by reflecting His nature in our daily lives. We make Him great. In the future, we will share our Lord’s glory. We will behold it.

“Glory is the perfect unfolding of what God is—and glorifying means making this glory visible.” (According to W. Kelly, commentary on John 17)