The Glory of God in Salvation and Redemption Theology
The glory of God is a central theme in salvation and redemption theology, emphasizing God's majesty and excellence in the process of redeeming humanity. According to Psalm 21:5, "His glory is great in thy salvation" [2], highlighting the connection between God's glory and the salvation of His people.
In the biblical narrative, God's glory is exhibited in various aspects, including His majesty, power, and holiness [1]. The glory of God is also closely tied to Christ, who is described as the "brightness of God's glory" (Heb 1:3). As the mediator of salvation, Christ's work is seen as a manifestation of God's glory, with His death and resurrection being a demonstration of God's power and wisdom [3].
The salvation of believers is also associated with the glory of God. According to Ephesians 2:5-6, believers are "made alive together with Christ" and "raised up together with him", sharing in His resurrection and glory [5, 8]. This union with Christ is seen as a source of glory for believers, who are described as being "created anew in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:10) [6].
The glory of God is not only a present reality but also a future hope for believers. According to Colossians 3:4, believers will be "manifested with Christ in glory" [7]. The ultimate goal of salvation is to bring glory to God, with believers being called to live a life that honors Him (Eph 4:24) [9].
Different traditions interpret the glory of God in salvation and redemption theology in similar ways. For instance, John Gill comments on Psalm 21:5, noting that the glory of the King Messiah is great in the Lord's salvation of him and his people [10]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown observe that the declaration of God's glory is for the extension of His knowledge and perfections in the world [11].
The glory of God is thus a multifaceted concept that encompasses His majesty, power, and holiness, as well as His work in salvation and redemption. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, God's glory is "exhibited in Christ" and "accompanies salvation by Christ" [4]. The biblical emphasis on God's glory underscores its significance in understanding the nature of salvation and redemption.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
- Psalms “Psalms 21:5 (ASV) — His glory is great in thy salvation: Honor and majesty dost thou lay upon him.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory — God is, to his people -- Ps 3:3; Zec 2:5. Christ is, to his people -- Isa 60:1; Lu 2:32. The gospel ordained to be, to saints -- 1Co 2:7. Of the gospel, exceeds that of the law -- 2Co 3:9,10. The joy of saints is full of -- 1Pe 1:8. Spiritual Is given by God. -- Ps 84:11. Is given by Christ. -- Joh 17:22. Christ. -- Joh 17:22. Is the work of the Holy Spirit. -- 2Co 3:18. Eternal Procured by the death of Christ. -- Heb 2:10. Accompanies salvation by Christ. -- 2Ti 2:10. Inherited by saints. -- 1Sa 2:8; Ps 73:24; Pr 3:35; Col 3:4; 1Pe 5:10. Saints called to. --”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 21:5: His glory is great in thy salvation,.... That is, the glory of the King Messiah is great in the Lord's salvation of him; delivering him from all his troubles and sorrows, and out of the hands of all his enemies, when he was raised from the dead, and was set at the right hand of God, and crowned with glory and honour: or the sense is, that his glory is great in the salvation of his people by him; it was his glory as Mediator to be appointed to be the Lord's salvation to them; and it being effected by him declares the glory and greatness of his person; and the nature of”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 145:11: The declaration of God's glory is for the extension of His knowledge and perfections in the world.”