The topic of glory is found throughout the Bible. God’s glory is a central theme in Scripture. Glory is mentioned over 500 times in the Bible. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses about glory:
God’s Glory
The glory of God is the beauty, majesty, and perfection of who He is. multiple verses describe the glory of God:
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11)
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11)
“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.” (Psalm 148:13)
“And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'” (Isaiah 6:3)
The glory of God is perfect, brilliant, unlimited, and awe-inspiring. His glory reflects who He is – righteous, powerful, beautiful and eternal.
Glory of Jesus
Several verses speak about the glory of Jesus Christ, the Son of God:
“And 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.” (John 1:14)
“These things Isaiah said when he saw his glory and spoke of him.” (John 12:41)
“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.’” (John 17:1)
Jesus possesses the glory of God because He is God. His life demonstrated divine glory through signs, wonders and miracles.
Glory of Creation
God created everything to display His glory and splendor. The heavens declare God’s glory:
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
“Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26)
All of creation was designed to honor God and make His glory known. Natural wonders like mountains, stars, and oceans reflect the glory of their Creator.
Humanity’s Purpose
God created people in His image and likeness. Human beings are crowned with glory because we reflect God’s glory:
“You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:5)
Our highest purpose is to know God and make His glory shine in the world:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
We fulfill our design by living for God’s glory rather than our own.
Future Glory
God promises eternal glory for believers in heaven. One day God’s people will partake in boundless glory:
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)
“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4)
The glory we will experience with God forever far exceeds our present troubles. Future glory motivates faithfulness now.
Reflecting God’s Glory
While on earth, believers are called to reflect God’s glory to others. We manifest glory through righteous living:
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Living for God’s glory includes moral excellence, generosity, humility and serving others. Our lives can display God’s greatness.
Glory through Suffering
Even suffering can serve God’s glory. Christ’s suffering on the cross brought great glory to God. Believers’ trials also produce glory:
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)
God is glorified when believers endure hardship with grace and faith. Unjust suffering reveals God’s comfort and power.
Glorifying God
Bringing glory to God should be the ultimate aim of every believer. We glorify Him by praising Him, proclaiming Christ, and bearing good fruit through righteous living empowered by the Spirit. Our lives are not our own – we live for the glory of God.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-12)
Living for God’s glory includes using our gifts and abilities to make Him known, serve the church and spread the gospel.
Glory in Worship
The Psalms are filled with exhortations to worship God’s glory. We glorify God through worship and praise:
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” (Psalm 29:2)
“Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!” (Psalm 96:9)
Singing, prayer, Scripture reading, communion and other worship activities direct glory to God. He inhabits the praises of His people.
Glory of the Church
The New Testament describes the Church as the temple where God dwells in glory:
“And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’” (2 Corinthians 6:16)
“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21)
God’s presence in the Church displays His glory. Believers collectively manifest His glory to the world.
Heaven’s Glory
Heaven’s glory far surpasses anything we can imagine. It is a place of radiant beauty, joy and light:
“But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)
“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:23)
The glory of God illuminates all of heaven. Believers will dwell in perfect fellowship with the source of all glory.
Sharing in Glory
Through salvation in Christ, sinners are transformed from glory to glory:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
We participate in divine glory as we are conformed to Christ’s image. His glory in us fuels transformation.
Glory Revealed
At Christ’s second coming, the full manifestation of His glory will be displayed:
“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4)
“When he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed…” (2 Thessalonians 1:10)
The glory of Christ will be fully revealed at His return. Believers will share in the revealing of His glory.
Eternal Glory
The glory of God and believers will endure for eternity in the new creation:
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)
“But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)
The glory of heaven will never end or fade. We will enjoy ever-increasing glory forever with God.
These verses provide a broad overview of biblical teaching on glory. From beginning to end, Scripture reveals the unmatched glory of God and His plan to share His glory with His beloved people for eternity. The glory of God should be the supreme focus of every believer’s life.
Key points:
- The glory of God is the beauty and perfection of His divine nature.
- Jesus possesses the fullness of God’s glory.
- All creation displays God’s glory.
- Humanity was created to reflect God’s glory.
- There is future glory reserved for believers in heaven.
- Christians can glorify God now through worship, righteous living, using gifts, and even enduring trials.
- Heaven’s glory will be stunning and eternal.
- At Christ’s return, the fullness of His glory will be revealed.
- The glory of God should be the ultimate focus of our lives.