The Greek word doxázō, represented by G1392, means to render (or esteem) glorious. Appearing 71 times across 54 unique verses, it is derived from the word δόξα (glory) and carries a wide application, including to glorify, make glorious, honour, or magnify.
The nuanced semantic development of G1392 from its root G1391 bears closer examination. While G1391 (dóxa) in classical Greek often denoted opinion or reputation, its usage in the Septuagint and New Testament evolved to signify inherent splendor, majesty, and divine radiance. Consequently, doxázō moves beyond merely holding a good opinion about someone; it actively involves the recognition, declaration, and manifestation of that intrinsic worth and magnificent nature. It implies a qualitative enhancement or an open acknowledgment of supreme honor, often reflecting a visible display of greatness or power.
This active attribution of glory can be understood as both an inherent quality revealed and an honor bestowed. When God doxázōs, He reveals His own splendor or elevates another to a state of honor and majesty, such as the Father glorifying the Son. When humanity doxázōs God, it is an act of worshipful acknowledgment, where believers articulate and live out the truth of God's supreme excellence, thereby making His glory evident to others, rather than adding to His infinite being. This dynamic interplay underscores doxázō as a potent verb of exaltation and manifest recognition.
In scripture, G1392 is used in several primary ways. Believers are called to glorify God through their actions, such as their good works Matthew 5:16, honest living 1 Peter 2:12, and bearing spiritual fruit John 15:8. People also glorify God in response to His miraculous power, such as after witnessing healings (Mark 2:12, Luke 17:15) or the forgiveness of sins Matthew 9:8. The term also describes the unique, reciprocal relationship between the Father and the Son, where Jesus prays to the Father to glorify Him so that the Son may in turn glorify the Father John 17:1.
Beyond individual acts of worship or miraculous responses, G1392 describes the glorification of God's divine message and His chosen instruments. The Apostle Paul requests prayer that "the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified" 2 Thessalonians 3:1, indicating that the gospel itself is an entity that can receive and manifest glory through its unhindered spread and transformative power. Similarly, the Gentiles, upon hearing the good news, "glorified the word of the Lord" Acts 13:48, recognizing its divine origin and saving efficacy. This extends to God being glorified in His servants, as seen when believers "glorified God in me" Galatians 1:24 in response to Paul's conversion and ministry, highlighting that a transformed life lived in obedience can serve as a conduit for God's glory.
G1392 is used to describe the glorification of Christ through specific events leading to His exaltation, particularly His suffering and death. Jesus' statement that "the hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified" John 12:23 refers to His crucifixion, which, though appearing as defeat, was the ultimate act of obedience that brought glory to God and led to His own resurrection and ascension. This paradoxical glorification through suffering is also extended to believers, where even being "reproached for the name of Christ" results in their being "glorified" 1 Peter 4:14, as the Spirit of glory rests upon them, and their suffering points to Christ's own path to exaltation.
Several related words provide a fuller understanding of glory and honor:
- G1391 dóxa (glory): As the root of G1392, this word signifies glory as very apparent, honor, or praise. It is used to describe the "glory of God" John 11:4 and the Father as the "Father of glory" Ephesians 1:17.
- G134 ainéō (to praise): This verb for praise is often used in conjunction with G1392. The shepherds, for example, returned from the nativity "glorifying and praising God" Luke 2:20.
- G136 aînos (praise): This noun for praise is also closely linked. After a blind man was healed, he was "glorifying God," and the people who saw it "gave praise unto God" Luke 18:43.
- G4352 proskynéō (worship): This word for worship as prostrate homage is connected to glorifying God's name, as all nations will one day come and "worship before thee" and "glorify thy name" Revelation 15:4.
- G1380 dokéō (to seem, to think): As the foundational verb from which G1391 (dóxa) derives, dokéō initially conveyed the idea of forming an opinion or estimation. This connection illuminates G1392 as the act of actively giving or ascribing a high estimation, moving from internal thought to outward declaration of worth and splendor.
- G1411 dýnamis (power, might): This noun often describes the inherent ability or miraculous power of God, which, when manifested, frequently elicits the act of G1392. The display of divine dýnamis provides the compelling reason for creation and humanity to glorify God.
The theological weight of G1392 is significant and multifaceted.
- The Purpose of Christian Life: Believers are commanded to glorify God in their bodies and spirits, which belong to Him 1 Corinthians 6:20. This can be accomplished through specific actions like ministry 1 Peter 4:11 or even in suffering 1 Peter 4:16.
- Divine Glorification: The term is central to understanding the relationship within the Trinity. The Father glorifies the Son John 8:54, the Son glorifies the Father John 17:4, and the Spirit is sent to glorify the Son John 16:14. The glorification of Jesus is a pivotal event in redemptive history John 7:39.
- Salvation and Glorification: G1392 describes the final step in God's plan of salvation. Those whom God predestined, called, and justified, He also glorified Romans 8:30.
- Rightful vs. Illegitimate Glory: The Bible contrasts rightfully glorifying God with the sin of self-glorification, as seen in those who seek glory from men Matthew 6:2 or in Christ, who did not glorify Himself to become high priest Hebrews 5:5.
- Glorification of God's Word and Gospel: The act of G1392 extends to the divine message itself, where the unhindered proclamation and acceptance of the gospel lead to the glorification of the Lord's word 2 Thessalonians 3:1, and by extension, God Himself. This highlights the inherent power and majesty of God's truth, which is affirmed and exalted when it is received and transforms lives Acts 13:48.
- Glorification Through Suffering: A profound theological dimension of G1392 is its application to suffering, particularly in the life of Christ and His followers. Jesus' own path to glory involved His crucifixion John 12:23, and believers are similarly promised that if they suffer "as a Christian," they should "glorify God on this behalf" 1 Peter 4:16, recognizing that such suffering aligns them with Christ and ultimately brings honor to God. This paradox reveals a deeper understanding of divine glory, often manifested not in worldly triumph but in faithful endurance.
G1392 is a profoundly significant term that encapsulates the active process of rendering or esteeming as glorious, a concept rooted in the inherent majesty of God. It moves beyond simple praise to signify a recognition and articulation of ultimate honor. This verb describes the fundamental purpose of human existence, calling believers to glorify God through righteous living, good works, and bearing spiritual fruit, thus making His character and power evident to the world.
The term further illuminates the reciprocal and intricate relationships within the Godhead, where the Father glorifies the Son, the Son glorifies the Father, and the Spirit glorifies the Son, revealing a dynamic of mutual exaltation and shared divine splendor. Crucially, doxázō also traces the redemptive arc, from the glorification of Jesus through His suffering and resurrection—a pivotal event in salvation history—to the ultimate glorification of all those whom God has predestined, called, and justified.
G1392 applies to the powerful impact of God's word, which is glorified as it spreads and transforms lives, and extends to the paradoxical glorification experienced by believers who suffer for Christ's name. This stands in stark contrast to the illegitimate self-glorification found in those who seek human praise or worldly acclaim, emphasizing that true glory emanates from and belongs to God alone.
In essence, G1392 is a comprehensive descriptor for attributing, manifesting, or receiving divine honor and splendor. Whether through the active worship of creation, the divine economy of the Trinity, or the ultimate destiny of the redeemed, to doxázō is to acknowledge and exalt the supreme worth and inherent glory of God in every facet of existence.
TRV