Greek
δόξα
doxa
Glory
The Greek word for glory — the visible, weighty manifestation of God's presence and excellence. Christ is 'the brightness of his glory [doxa]' (Hebrews 1:3), and believers are being transformed into the same doxa (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Doxa (δόξα) is the Greek word for glory, splendor, honor, or majesty. In Classical Greek, doxa meant opinion or reputation. In Jewish Greek (the Septuagint), it translated the Hebrew kabod — weight, heaviness, the visible manifestation of God's presence. This connection gave doxa a deeper biblical meaning — God's manifested presence and excellence. The English word 'doxology' (an expression of glory to God) and 'orthodox' (right glory / right opinion) come from doxa.
Doxa appears about 165 times in the NT. Major uses. (1) The glory of God himself. Romans 11:36 — 'to whom be glory for ever.' Revelation 4:11 — 'thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory.' (2) Christ's glory. John 1:14 — 'we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.' Hebrews 1:3 — 'the brightness of his glory.' (3) The glory of the resurrection body. 1 Corinthians 15:43 — 'It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory.' (4) Believers transformed into Christ's glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18 — 'we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory.' (5) The shekinah glory at the transfiguration. Luke 9:31-32 — Moses and Elijah appeared 'in glory.' Peter, James, and John 'saw his glory.' (6) The final hope. Romans 8:18 — 'the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.' (7) Doxology — closing prayers of praise. Ephesians 3:21 — 'Unto him be glory in the church.'
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.”
“We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory.”
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things.”
Live for God's glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31 — 'whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Behold Christ's glory in Scripture; be transformed by what you behold (2 Cor 3:18). Hope for the glory yet to be revealed in believers (Romans 8:18). Make God's glory your highest aim.
Doxa (δόξα) is the Greek word for glory — the visible, weighty manifestation of God's presence and excellence. In the Septuagint it translates Hebrew kabod (weight). In the NT it refers to God's glory, Christ's glory, the glory of the resurrection, and the transformation of believers into Christ's likeness (2 Cor 3:18).
God's glory is the visible manifestation of his presence and excellence. It appeared as the shekinah cloud in the OT (Exodus 40:34-35). It dwells in Christ (John 1:14; Hebrews 1:3). It will fill the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:23). To glorify God is to display and acknowledge his weighty excellence.
2 Corinthians 3:18 — 'we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory.' By beholding Christ in Scripture and Spirit, believers are progressively transformed into his likeness. Glory is not just future but also being formed now.
1 Corinthians 10:31 — 'whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Every act of life — meal, work, marriage, service — can be done for God's glory by being done in faith, gratitude, and obedience. Christian life is fundamentally for God's glory.