The Glory of God in the Gospel Message Explained
The glory of God is a central theme in the gospel message, referring to the manifestation of God's character, attributes, and perfections. According to John Gill, the glory of God is exhibited in the salvation, peace, and reconciliation of his people through Jesus Christ, reflecting the glory of all God's perfections, including wisdom, love, grace, mercy, holiness, and justice [7].
The gospel message itself is described as "glorious" and is associated with the glory of God [3]. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the gospel is referred to as "the glory of Christ, who is the image of God," indicating that the gospel is a revelation of God's glory through Christ [1]. The knowledge of the glory of God is said to be revealed through the gospel, as stated in 2 Corinthians 4:6, "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" [1].
The glory of God is also linked to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ is described as the "image of God" (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3) and is said to be "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14), exhibiting the glory of God [2, 4]. The incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are seen as a manifestation of God's glory, as stated in 1 Timothy 3:16, "God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" [5, 6].
The glory of God is not only a present reality but also a future hope for believers. According to Adam Clarke, the gospel message proclaims Christ in believers as "the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27), indicating that the glory of God is the ultimate destination and expectation of those who have received the gospel [9].
The patristic tradition also emphasizes the connection between the glory of God and the gospel message. Gregory Thaumaturgus is quoted as saying that the glory of the Gospel of Christ is imparted only to the sincere and genuine, highlighting the importance of a genuine response to the gospel in experiencing the glory of God [8].
The glory of God in the gospel message is thus a multifaceted concept that encompasses the manifestation of God's character, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the hope of future glory for believers.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory — God is, to his people -- Ps 3:3; Zec 2:5. Christ is, to his people -- Isa 60:1; Lu 2:32. The gospel ordained to be, to saints -- 1Co 2:7. Of the gospel, exceeds that of the law -- 2Co 3:9,10. The joy of saints is full of -- 1Pe 1:8. Spiritual Is given by God. -- Ps 84:11. Is given by Christ. -- Joh 17:22. Christ. -- Joh 17:22. Is the work of the Holy Spirit. -- 2Co 3:18. Eternal Procured by the death of Christ. -- Heb 2:10. Accompanies salvation by Christ. -- 2Ti 2:10. Inherited by saints. -- 1Sa 2:8; Ps 73:24; Pr 3:35; Col 3:4; 1Pe 5:10. Saints called to. --”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 3:16 — And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 3:16 (KJV) — And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 2:14: Glory to God in the highest,.... Which with the following words, are not to be considered as a wish, that so it might be, but as an affirmation, that so it was; for the glory of God is great in the salvation, peace, and reconciliation of his people by Jesus Christ, even the glory of all his perfections; of his wisdom and prudence in forming such a scheme; of his love, grace, and, mercy, the glory of which is his main view, and is hereby answered; and of his holiness, which is hereby honoured; and of his justice, which is fully satisfied; and of his power in the accompli”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 6: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius, Julius Africanus, Methodius, Arnobius — A FRAGMENT OF THE SAME DISPUTATION.[1] (part 3): but rather "lest the light of the glory of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ should shine unto them." For to hear the Gospel is a thing committed[1] to all; but the glory of the Gospel of Christ is imparted only to the sincere and genuine. For this reason the Lord spake in parables to those who were incapable of hearing, but to His disciples He explained these parables in private. For the illumination of the glory is for those who have been enlightened, while t”
- Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 1:27: The riches of the glory - God manifests to these how abundantly glorious this Gospel is among the Gentiles; and how effectual is this doctrine of Christ crucified to the salvation of multitudes. Which is Christ in you, the hope of glory - In this and the following verse there are several remarkable particulars: - I. We find here the sum and substance of the apostle's preaching. 1. He preached Christ, as the only Savior of sinners. 2. He proclaimed this Christ as being in them; for the design of the Gospel is to put men in possession of the Spirit and power of C”