Divine and human glory

Human glory in the creation

Human glory as God’s intention

Hebrews 2:5–18 (ESV)

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him,

or the son of man, that you care for him?

You made him for a little while lower than the angels;

you have crowned him with glory and honor,

putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers;

in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

See also Ps 8:4–5

People are created in God’s image

Genesis 5:1 ESV

This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.

See also Ge 1:26–27; Ge 9:6; 1 Co 11:7; Jas 3:9

Human beings have precedence over the rest of creation

Matthew 6:26 ESV

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

See also Mt 10:29–31; Mt 12:12

Human responsibility for creation

Genesis 2:19–20 ESV

Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.

See also Ge 1:28; Ps 8:6–8; Heb 2:8; Jas 3:7

Human glory diminished after the fall

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

See also Ge 5:3; Ec 7:29; Ro 5:12

Glory is restored to redeemed humanity by the death of Jesus Christ

Romans 8:30 ESV

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

See also Ro 9:23; 1 Co 15:47–49; Col 3:10

Spiritual glory is divinely given

John 17:22 ESV

The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,

See also Ps 84:11; 2 Co 3:18

Glorification when Jesus Christ returns

Colossians 3:4 ESV

When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

See also Ro 8:18; Php 3:21; 1 Th 2:20; 1 Jn 3:2

The imperfect nature of human glory

1 Peter 1:24–25 ESV

for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

See also Is 40:6–8; Ps 49:10–11; Ps 49:16–17; Ps 103:15; 2 Co 3:7–8; 2 Co 3:10; 2 Co 3:13

Human glory is given and taken by God

Psalm 82:6–7 ESV

I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”

See also Ex 9:16; 1 Ki 3:13; Je 27:6–7; Da 2:37–39; Da 4:29–31; Da 4:36; Jn 19:11; Ro 13:1

The temporary nature of the glory of the wicked

Philippians 3:19 ESV

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

See also Is 5:15; Lk 16:25; Re 18:14–17

The temptation associated with human glory

Matthew 4:8–9 ESV

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

See also 2 Ti 4:10; 1 Jn 2:15

The uniqueness of God’s glory

Job 40:9–10 God shows Job the impossibility of human beings attaining the perfection of God’s glory.

See also Ex 15:11; 1 Ch 16:24–28; Is 42:8; Is 48:11

God’s glory revealed to human beings

Exodus 24:17 ESV

Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.

See also Ex 16:10; Ps 26:8; Eze 1:25–28; Lk 2:9; Ac 7:55

Glory is not to be sought from other human beings but from God

Matthew 6:2 ESV

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

See also Je 9:23–24; Ho 4:7; Jn 5:41–44; Php 3:3; 1 Th 2:4–6; Jas 4:16

It is a human duty to glorify God

Psalm 34:3 ESV

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

See also Ps 63:3; Ps 86:12; Da 4:37; Ro 15:6; Ga 1:3–5