Revelation 4:11

KJV

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou art {G1488} worthy {G514}, O Lord {G2962}, to receive {G2983} glory {G1391} and {G2532} honour {G5092} and {G2532} power {G1411}: for {G3754} thou {G4771} hast created {G2936} all things {G3956}, and {G2532} for {G1223} thy {G4675} pleasure {G2307} they are {G1526} and {G2532} were created {G2936}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“You are worthy, Adonai Eloheinu,
to have glory, honor and power,
because you created all things —
yes, because of your will they were created
and came into being!”

Berean Standard Bible

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and came to be.”

American Standard Version

Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 4:11 presents the climactic declaration of worship from the twenty-four elders in John's heavenly vision, articulating the profound and foundational reasons for God's supreme worthiness. This verse serves as a magnificent doxology, acknowledging God's absolute sovereignty and His unparalleled role as the magnificent Creator of all things, whose divine pleasure is the ultimate purpose and sustaining force behind all existence. It encapsulates the essence of heavenly adoration directed towards the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 4:11 stands as the crescendo of worship in the heavenly throne room vision described in [Revelation 4](/revelation/4 "Revelation 4 - The Heavenly Throne Room"). The chapter opens with John being invited into heaven ([Revelation 4:1](/revelation/4-1 "Revelation 4:1 - John's Heavenly Invitation")), where he immediately encounters the awe-inspiring majesty of God seated on His throne, surrounded by a rainbow, lightning, thunder, and seven lamps of fire. Around the throne are twenty-four elders clothed in white and crowned with gold, and four living creatures full of eyes. The four living creatures initiate ceaseless praise ([Revelation 4:8](/revelation/4-8 "Revelation 4:8 - Holy, Holy, Holy")), which then prompts the twenty-four elders to fall down, cast their crowns before the throne, and join in the adoration, culminating in the declaration of [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - The Elders' Doxology"). This verse thus serves as the theological justification for the worship witnessed, setting the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan in subsequent chapters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Revelation was written by John, likely while exiled on the island of Patmos, to seven churches in Asia Minor ([Revelation 1:4](/revelation/1-4 "Revelation 1:4 - To the Seven Churches")). These churches were facing various pressures, including Roman persecution, internal heresies, and societal temptations to compromise their faith. In this context, the vision of God's unshakeable sovereignty and worthiness in [Revelation 4](/revelation/4 "Revelation 4 - God's Sovereign Throne") would have been immensely encouraging and strengthening. It reminded believers that despite earthly turmoil, a powerful and glorious God was in ultimate control, worthy of all worship and trust. The imagery of a throne room, elders, and crowns would have resonated with Roman imperial court imagery, but here, the ultimate authority is unequivocally God, not Caesar, challenging the prevailing imperial cult.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Revelation and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Absolute Authority**, as He is depicted as the one on the throne, the Creator of all things. This reinforces the truth that God is the ultimate ruler, deserving of all power and honor, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Psalm 93:1](/psalms/93-1 "Psalm 93:1 - The Lord Reigns")). Another crucial theme is **Worship**, portraying it as the natural and appropriate response to God's inherent worthiness and creative acts. The ceaseless worship in heaven serves as a model for earthly worship, emphasizing its centrality to the Christian life. Finally, the verse highlights the **Purpose of Creation**, asserting that all things exist "for thy pleasure," underscoring that creation is not accidental but a deliberate act of God's will, designed to bring Him glory and delight, a concept found from [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") to the New Testament ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created by Him")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Worthy (Greek, _áxios'_):** This term (G514) signifies being deserving, comparable, or suitable, as if drawing praise. In this context, it asserts God's intrinsic and inherent right to receive the highest forms of adoration, glory, honor, and power. His very nature and His actions, particularly His act of creation, establish Him as uniquely qualified to be the sole object of ultimate worship.
* **Created (Greek, _ktízō'_):** This verb (G2936) means to fabricate, found, or form originally. It highlights God's unique role as the originator and architect of all existence. The use of both "hast created" (aorist, completed past action) and "were created" (aorist passive, emphasizing the result) underscores the totality and finality of God's creative work, establishing Him as the ultimate source of everything.
* **Pleasure (Greek, _thélēma'_):** While often translated as "will" or "desire," _thélēma_ (G2307) in this verse emphasizes God's sovereign purpose, determination, and delight in His creative act. It reveals that creation was not a necessity or an accident, but an expression of God's good and perfect volition, bringing Him satisfaction and fulfilling His divine intent. The universe exists because it pleased God for it to exist.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power:"** This opening clause is a direct address and declaration of God's inherent merit. The "Lord" (G2962, _kýrios'_) signifies His supreme authority and mastery. The elders declare that God is uniquely qualified ("worthy," G514, _áxios'_) to be the recipient of "glory" (G1391, _dóxa'_), which speaks to His manifest splendor and majesty; "honour" (G5092, _timḗ'_), referring to the high esteem and value due to Him; and "power" (G1411, _dýnamis'_), acknowledging His omnipotence and ability to do all things. These three attributes represent the full spectrum of divine praise and recognition.
* **"for thou hast created all things,"** This clause provides the primary justification for God's worthiness. The conjunction "for" (G3754, _hóti'_) introduces the reason. God's act of creating "all things" (G3956, _pâs'_)—the entire cosmos, visible and invisible—establishes His unique position as the ultimate source and sustainer of existence. His creative power is the fundamental basis for His claim to universal worship.
* **"and for thy pleasure they are and were created."** This final clause reveals the profound purpose behind God's creation. The phrase "for thy pleasure" (G1223, _diá'_ + G2307, _thélēma'_) signifies that creation originated from and exists for God's sovereign will and delight. The repetition of "they are and were created" (G1526, _eisí'_ + G2936, _ktízō'_) emphasizes both the ongoing existence ("are") and the initial act of creation ("were created") as being entirely purposed by God's good pleasure. This means the universe and everything within it exists to manifest God's glory and bring Him satisfaction.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 4:11 is rich with **Doxology**, a formal expression of praise to God, which is its primary literary function. The verse employs **Repetition** ("created" appears twice) to emphasize God's role as the sole Creator and the ultimate purpose of His creation. The use of the **Triad** of "glory and honour and power" is a common biblical device that signifies completeness and totality, indicating that God is worthy of every conceivable form of adoration and authority. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Justification**, providing the theological rationale ("for thou hast created all things") for the worship being offered, moving beyond mere emotional praise to a reasoned declaration of God's inherent worth. The entire scene in [Revelation 4](/revelation/4 "Revelation 4 - The Throne Room Vision") is a powerful example of **Symbolism**, with the throne, elders, and living creatures all representing aspects of God's majesty and the heavenly court, culminating in this declaration of His absolute supremacy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 4:11 is a foundational statement of biblical theology, anchoring our understanding of God's nature and the purpose of existence. It unequivocally establishes God as the sovereign Creator, whose inherent worthiness demands and receives universal worship. This truth underpins the entire biblical narrative, from the initial act of creation in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") to the consummation of all things in the new heavens and new earth. The verse teaches that God's pleasure is not merely a byproduct but the ultimate *reason* for creation, meaning all things exist to bring Him glory and satisfaction. This theological bedrock provides meaning and purpose to human existence, reminding us that our lives find their highest calling when lived in alignment with God's will and for His praise. It refutes any notion of an accidental universe or a God who is distant or disengaged, instead presenting a God who is intimately involved as the source and sustainer of all that is.

* [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory")
* [Romans 11:36](/romans/11-36 "Romans 11:36 - From Him and Through Him and To Him Are All Things")
* [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - God Works All Things According to His Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 4:11 calls us to a profound reorientation of our perspective, shifting our focus from self-centered concerns to God's supreme worthiness and His ultimate pleasure. When we grasp that all things, including ourselves, exist "for thy pleasure," it transforms our understanding of purpose, suffering, and joy. Our lives are not random occurrences but intentional expressions of God's good will, designed to bring Him glory. This truth inspires genuine worship that is not contingent on circumstances but rooted in God's unchanging character as Creator and Sovereign. It encourages us to live lives that reflect His design, finding our deepest satisfaction in aligning our desires with His and participating in His ongoing work in the world. Recognizing God's absolute power and authority as the Creator provides immense comfort and stability in a chaotic world, reminding us that He is in control and His purposes will prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that you were created "for God's pleasure" impact your sense of purpose and meaning in life?**
* **In what ways does recognizing God as the Creator of "all things" deepen your worship and gratitude?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to live more intentionally for God's pleasure, rather than your own?**
* **How does the heavenly scene of worship in Revelation 4 challenge or inspire your personal and corporate worship practices?**

### FAQ
**Why is God declared "worthy" in this verse, and what does that mean for us?**

Answer: God is declared "worthy" (Greek: _áxios_) in [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - God is Worthy") because He inherently possesses all the attributes that demand ultimate adoration, honor, and power. The primary reason given is His role as the Creator of "all things." This means His worthiness is not earned or bestowed by creation, but is an intrinsic quality of His divine being. For us, this declaration serves as the foundational truth for all true worship. It means our worship should be rooted in who God is—His character, His power, His majesty—rather than solely on what He does for us. It calls us to acknowledge His absolute supremacy and to direct our lives, thoughts, and actions towards His glory, recognizing that He alone is deserving of ultimate praise.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - The Creator's Worthiness") focuses on God the Father as the Creator, the New Testament consistently reveals that the Son, Jesus Christ, was intimately involved in and is the agent of all creation. [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator") explicitly states, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." Similarly, [John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him") declares, "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." Therefore, the worthiness ascribed to the Creator in [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - Worthy is the Creator") is ultimately shared by Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's glory and the means by which God's pleasure in creation is realized. As the Creator, Sustainer, and ultimate purpose of all things, Jesus is worthy of the same "glory and honour and power" that the elders ascribe to God on the throne, a truth powerfully affirmed later in Revelation when the Lamb also receives worship ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - Worthy is the Lamb")). He is the one through whom God's creative purpose finds its ultimate expression and fulfillment, ensuring that creation indeed exists for God's eternal pleasure.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Colossians 1:16

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Colossians 1:17

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Revelation 5:12

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Isaiah 40:28

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.

Proverbs 16:4

¶ The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

John 1:1

¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:3

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.