Glorifying God in the New Testament

     The primary Greek words used for ‘glorify’ in the New Testament are doxa and doxazo with multiple synonyms including ‘honor’, ‘magnify’, ‘praise’, ‘dignify’, and ‘worship.’

     The angels of heaven would glorify God as they announced the birth of His Son.

     “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’”  Luke 2:13-14

     God would be glorified by His Son and then by the church.

     The display of godly behavior by Jesus’ followers would glorify their heavenly Father while bringing others into the kingdom of God.

     “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

     Jesus glorified His Father by healing many.

     “So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.”  Matthew 15:31

     God would be glorified by the fruit produced by Jesus’ disciples.

     “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”  John 15:8

     Jesus would also be glorified by His death.

   

     Just as the birth of God’s Son brought glory to God, so would the death of His Son.  The following words were prayed by Jesus just prior to His death.

     “I have glorified You on the earth.  I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.  And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”

John 17:4-5

     The deity of Jesus was displayed as the Father and Son glorified each other by working together for the good of their chosen.

     Peter was told that he would glorify God by suffering death for the cause of Jesus.

     “This He spoke, signifying by what death he (Peter) would glorify God…”  John 21:19

     But before his death, God would use Peter in wonderful ways.  Peter was very bold when speaking the truth about Christ to the Jews, and as such he and John were persecuted greatly. 

     Peter had just healed a lame man in the name of Jesus Christ.  This act was witnessed by many including the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees who wanted to silence Peter and John.

     They; however, had to exercise care because the multitude had also witnessed the healing miracle and many believed the words of Peter and John.

     The Jews had to admit that they could find nothing to justify punishing them.

     “So when they had further threatened them (Peter and John), they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.”  Acts 4:21

             

     Then Peter spoke of several other examples of giving glory to God.  He explained that godly behavior among non-believing gentiles would subsequently cause them to glorify God.

     “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims…having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”  1 Peter 2:12

     Honorable behavior of believers in the presence of gentiles would cause them to imitate their conduct for redemption, therefore, glorifying God.

     “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.  If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Peter 4:11

   

      Peter taught that there was glory in suffering for Christ’s sake; however, if one suffered for something he had done requiring chastisement, there was no glory in that.

     “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”  1 Peter 4:15-16

     Thus the gift of suffering for Christ’s sake would bring Glory to the Father.