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Doing Everything in the Name of Jesus for God's Glory

The biblical concept of "doing everything in the name of Jesus for God's glory" encapsulates a comprehensive approach to Christian life, where all actions and words are directed toward honoring Christ and, through Him, God the Father [2, 12]. This principle is explicitly stated in Colossians 3:17, which instructs believers, "And everything, whatever you do in word or in work, do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father through Him" [2].

To act "in the name of the Lord Jesus" signifies more than a mere verbal invocation; it implies acting under His authority, as His representative, and in a manner consistent with His character and teachings [7, 12]. The "name" of Jesus itself carries profound theological weight, representing His person, power, and authority [6, 10]. For instance, the name of Jesus is that before which "every knee might bow—of beings in heaven, and on earth, and underground" [3]. Preaching and teaching "concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness" is an example of acting in His name [1]. Early Christians were baptized "in the name of the Lord Jesus," signifying their public profession of Christianity and belief in Him as Savior and Sovereign [7].

This comprehensive dedication extends to all aspects of life, encompassing both "word" and "work" [2, 12]. This means that even mundane activities are to be undertaken with a conscious awareness of Christ's presence and purpose [12]. The Methodist commentator Adam Clarke suggests that doing everything in Jesus' name means to "Begin with him, and end with him; invoke his name, and pray for his direction and support, in all that ye do" [12]. This perspective views every action as an opportunity to reflect Christ's nature and further His kingdom [12].

The ultimate goal of doing everything in the name of Jesus is the glory of God the Father [2]. God is inherently worthy of praise and glory due to His majesty, glory, excellency, greatness, holiness, wisdom, power, goodness, mercy, and loving-kindness [4]. Christ himself is also worthy of praise [4]. The glory of God is particularly manifested in the person of Christ, who is identified as "Jehovah of glory" and "Jehovah, for whose glory all things were created" [5]. The apostle Paul prays that the "God of our Lord Jesus," who is "the Father of glory," would grant believers a spirit of wisdom [8]. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, through John Chrysostom, speaks of being "filled unto all the fulness of God," understanding this as knowing how God is worshipped in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit [9].

The glorification of God through Christ is not only an end but also a means of spiritual growth and witness. When believers live in a manner that honors Christ, it leads to the glorification of "the name of the Lord Jesus Christ... in you" [11]. This glorification is achieved through the faith, patience, and good works of believers, which not only adorn the doctrine of God but also inspire others to glorify Him [11]. The earth is prophesied to be "filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord," specifically the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, encompassing His person, office, and the fullness of grace in Him [13]. This vision underscores the eschatological hope that all creation will ultimately acknowledge and reflect God's glory through Christ [6, 13].

Sources

  1. Acts “preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. -- Acts 28:31”
  2. Colossians “Colossians 3:17 (LITV) — And everything, whatever you do in word or in work, do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father through Him.”
  3. Philippians “Philippians 2:10 (Rotherham) — In order that, in the name of Jesus, every knee might bow—of beings in heaven, and on earth, and underground,—”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ is God — As Jehovah -- Isa 40:3; Mt 3:3. As Jehovah of glory -- Ps 24:7,10; 1Co 2:8; Jas 2:1. As Jehovah, our RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jer 23:5,6; 1Co 1:30. As Jehovah, above all -- Ps 97:9; Joh 3:31. As Jehovah, the First and the Last -- Isa 44:6; Re 1:17; Isa 48:12-16; Re 22:13. As Jehovah's Fellow and Equal -- Zec 13:7; Php 2:6. As Jehovah of Hosts -- Isa 6:1-3; Joh 12:41; Isa 8:13,14; 1Pe 2:8. As Jehovah, the Shepherd -- Isa 40:11; Heb 13:20. As Jehovah, for whose glory all things were created -- Pr 16:4; Col 1:16. As Jehovah, the Messenger of the covenant -- Mal ”
  6. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 72:19: And blessed be his glorious name for ever,.... Every name of Christ is glorious in itself, and precious to his people; "like ointment poured forth", as his name Messiah, to which the allusion is in Sol 1:3; his name Immanuel, God with us, Isa 7:14; Jehovah our righteousness, Jer 23:6; Jesus a Saviour; as well as what belongs to his royal dignity, King of kings, and Lord of lords; a name above every name that is named in this world, or that to come; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; as it will be, when his kingdom shall be from sea to sea, and from t”
  7. Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 10:48: To be baptized in the name of the Lord - That is, in the name of Jesus Christ; which implied their taking upon them the public profession of Christianity, and believing on Christ Jesus as their Savior and Sovereign; for, as they were baptized in his name, they professed thereby to be his disciples and followers. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days - They felt the necessity of farther instruction, and prayed him to continue his ministry a little longer among them; and to this he no doubt consented. This was properly speaking, the commencement of the Christian C”
  8. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:17: A fit prayer for all Christians. the God of our Lord Jesus--appropriate title here; as in Eph 1:20-22 he treats of God's raising Jesus to be Head over all things to the Church. Jesus Himself called the Father "My God" (Mat 27:46). the Father of glory--(Compare Act 7:2). The Father of that infinite glory which shines in the face of Christ, who is "the glory" (the true Shekinah); through whom also "the glory of the inheritance" (Eph 1:18) shall be ours (Joh 17:24; 2Co. 3:7-4:6). the spirit of wisdom--whose attribute is infinite wisdom and who wo”
  9. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: in spite of this probability, but in exceptional cases, like the present, we have ventured to demur.—G.A.] “That ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.” 82 What he means is this. Although the love of Christ lies above the reach of all human knowledge, yet shall ye know it, if ye shall have Christ dwelling in you, yea, not only shall know from Him this, but shall even “be filled unto all the fulness of God;” meaning by the “fulness of God,” either the knowledge how God is worshipped in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghos”
  10. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 89:15: In thy name shall they rejoice all the day,.... That know the joyful sound, and walk in the light of God's countenance, as they have reason to do; these will "rejoice" in the Lord himself, for his "name" is himself; in the perfections of his nature, as displayed in redemption and salvation by Christ; in him as the God of all grace, as their covenant God and Father in Christ, and the God of their salvation; and they will rejoice in Christ, in his name, in which is salvation, and therefore precious; in his person, blood, righteousness, sacrifice, and fitness; and that ”
  11. 2 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Thessalonians 1:12: That the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you,.... This is the end of the apostle's prayer, and which is answered by the fulfilment of the things prayed for; as the name of Christ and his Gospel are dishonoured, by the unbelief, cowardice and the unworthy walk of professors; so they are glorified in and by the saints, by their faith, patience, and good works in this world; which not only themselves adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, but cause others to glorify him likewise; and Christ will be glorified in them hereafter, by the glory whic”
  12. Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 3:17: Whatsoever ye do in word or deed - Let your words be right, and your actions upright. Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus - Begin with him, and end with him; invoke his name, and pray for his direction and support, in all that ye do; and thus every work will be crowned with all requisite success. Doing every thing in the name of God, and referring every thing to his glory, is as rational as it is pious. Could it be ever supposed that any person would begin a bad work in God's name? However, it is so. No people in the universe more strictly adhere to the letter ”
  13. Habakkuk (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Habakkuk 2:13: For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,.... Of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ; of the glory of his person, as the Son of God, and truly God; which is essential to him, and underived; the same with his Father's, and what transcends the glory of all created beings; and of the glory of his office as Mediator, which itself is glorious and honourable: and this his glory lies in his fitness for it; in his faithful performance of it, and the honour given him by his Father upon it; as well as in the fulness of grace in him, which makes”
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