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All Glory and Honor are Yours.

This is in response to a discussion I had with a couple of friends a day or two ago. I pray that it is helpful and thought provoking.

I looked up "glory" in the concordance and the same word is used 168 times. Within it's definition are 7 possible uses of the word. I'll list the ones that are applicable to what we are considering.

Doxa is the Greek word for glory. It is said to "primarily signify an opinion, estimate, and hence, the honor resulting from a good opinion."

In 2 Corinthians 3:18 and 4:6, the word is used as being "of the character and ways of God as exhibited through Christ to and through believers."

Doxazo is the Greek word for glorify which is defined as "to render glorious." It is found 62 times with 54 of those times used to mean glorifying God. It is used in Romans 8:30, 2 Corinthians 3:10 and 1 Peter 1:8 to mean "to do honor to, to make glorious." Romans 8:30 is one of special significance since it talks about the people that love God and are called according to His purpose. God makes us glorious and bestows honor upon us, but to me this is still different than being given glory in the divine sense.

John 17:1-2 says "When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, 'Father, the hour has come; glorify our Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.'" My study Bible notes reference the following two Scriptures that to me answer the question very clearly:

Isaiah 42:8 "I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols."
Isaiah 48:11 "For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another."

God does not give His glory to anyone else. All glory and honor are His.

Why were we created? We were created for God's own sake/purpose/end. What is that end? It brings Him glory. I don't see how you can go beyond that from the Scriptures that I've looked at.

With that being said, it is clear from Scripture that we share in the inheritance as heirs with Christ. The inheritance of eternal life is what we share in with and through Jesus. However, that inheritance is not glory in the sense that God is glorified. We are with Him in glory, but that glory is directed only to God who rightfully deserves all glory!

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