GLORY

1. The glory of man is fading and temporary (1 Peter 1:24; cf. 1 Cor. 11:7, 15). 

2. God's essence is the basis of His glory. He deserves to be glorified because of who and what He is 
(cf. Rom. 15:9). 

3. The word for glory in Hebrew is “weight” (kabod, cf. 1 Sam. 4:18; 2 Sam. 14:26). A man of wealth, 
for instance, has “weight” in society because of his appearance, noble bearing, and dignity. 
This weight elicits respect and honor from others. Glory, then, is enjoyed by the rich (Gen. 13:2; 31:1), 
mighty warriors (1 Chron. 11:21), and high public officials (Gen. 45:13). 

4. The word for glory in Greek means “opinion, reputation, fame” (doxa). A reputation is the opinion 
people have of a person. To be famous is to have a reputation for extraordinary accomplishments. 
King Ahasuerus, for instance, clothed Mordecai with fame as a reward for saving his life by honoring 
him in the eyes of the people. 

Now it happened that Haman was found there, for he had come before the usual hour to make 
his request of him concerning the death of Mordecai. And so, when the servants said that Haman 
was before the court, he ordered them to call him in, and, when he came, said, "Knowing that you 
are the only friend loyal to me, I beg you to advise me how in a manner worthy of my magnanimity 
I should honour one greatly cherished by me." Thereupon Haman, reflecting that whatever opinion 
he gave he would be giving in his own behalf, since, he thought, he was the only one loved by the 
king, expressed that opinion which he believed to be the best and said, "If you wish to cover with 
glory the man whom you say you love (ei bouloio ton anthropon hon pheis agapan doxei peribalein), 
let him ride on horseback wearing the same dress as yourself, with a necklace of gold, and let one of 
your close friends precede him and proclaim throughout the whole city that this is the honour 
shown to him whom the king honours." Such, then, was the advice that Haman gave in the belief 
that this reward would come to him. But the king, being pleased with his counsel, said, "Go forth, 
for you have the horse and the robe and the chain, and look for the Jew Mordecai and give him 
these things and walk before his horse, proclaiming your news, for," he added, "since you are 
my close friend, you shall be the one to carry out those things about which you have given good 
counsel. This shall be his reward from us for having saved my life." When Haman heard these 
words, which were contrary to all his expectations, he was oppressed in spirit and stricken with 
helplessness, but went out, taking the horse and the purple robe and the necklace of gold; and, 
when he found Mordecai before the court clothed in sackcloth, he told him to take it off and put on 
the purple robe (Josephus, Antiquities 11.252–256). 

5. Angels glorify God (Luke 2:13–14). 

6. The primary purpose of the Church is to glorify the Father (Rom. 15:6; Eph. 3:21; 1 Pet. 4:11) 
and the Son (2 Thess. 1:10, 12). 

7. Giving thanks (Psa. 50:23) and bearing fruit (John 15:8) glorifies God. 

8. We have been glorified positionally (Rom. 8:30), may share God’s glory experientially by becoming 
more like Him, and will ultimately be glorified (Rom. 8:17; 2 Cor. 4:17). 

9. In glory we will sing a new song (Rev. 5:9–14), walk in a new body (1 Cor. 15:42–43; Phil. 3:21), 
live in a new home (Rev. 21:1–4), and work at a new job (Rev. 7:15).