A Deep Dive into the Glory of God

What does it mean to be glorified?

In biblical terms, to be 'glorified' signifies being exalted by God’s presence and power, as seen in Jesus’ prayer for the restoration of His divine glory in John 17:5.

The verse 'And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed' (John 17:5) underscores that 'glorified' refers to the manifestation of God’s honor and eternal authority. This concept ties to Jesus’ pre-incarnate state and His request for the Father to affirm His divine identity after His earthly mission. Theologically, it reflects how God’s glory is both His inherent radiance and the revelation of His character through acts of power and grace.

Scripture uses 'glorified' to mark pivotal moments where God’s purposes are fulfilled, such as in Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. This theme invites believers to consider how they, too, are called to share in this divine glory through faithfulness, though always mediated by Christ’s redemptive work.

Glorified in John 17:5

In John 17:5, Jesus explicitly prays for the Father to restore the divine glory He shared with Him before the world began.

Jesus’ prayer—'And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed' (John 17:5)—reflects His request to be reconstituted in the fullness of His pre-incarnate honor after the limitations of His earthly ministry. This glory, rooted in His eternal sonship, signifies both divine authority and the radiance of God’s presence. By asking for this restoration, Jesus affirms His mission’s completion and the necessity of the Father’s power to unveil His true identity. Theologically, this moment underscores that the incarnate Son, though temporarily veiled in human form, remains eternally united to the Father’s glory.

This restoration of glory, achieved through resurrection and ascension, reveals the unity of the Godhead and the fulfillment of Jesus’ redemptive purpose. It also points forward to how believers, through union with Christ, may one day share in this same glory. The interplay of humility and exaltation in this prayer deepens our understanding of God’s character and the rhythms of divine revelation.

Glorified and the Process of Salvation

The concept of being 'glorified' is deeply intertwined with the biblical narrative of salvation, culminating in the believer’s future transformation and the manifestation of God’s glory.

In Romans 8:30, Paul writes, 'And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified,' framing glorification as the final, irreversible stage of salvation. This verse underscores that to be glorified is to be fully conformed to the image of Christ, a process initiated at justification and completed in eternal life. The believer’s future glorification mirrors Christ’s own exaltation, as seen in His resurrection and ascension, where God’s redemptive power is ultimately revealed.

This theological trajectory shapes the Christian life, as believers anticipate the day when God’s glory will be fully unveiled in creation (Rom. 8:19-21). The hope of glorification motivates present faithfulness, reminding us that our current struggles are transient compared to the eternal weight of glory awaiting those in Christ.

The Trinity and the Concept of Glorified

The Trinitarian dimension of 'glorified' reveals the dynamic exchange of honor between the Father and Son, as seen in Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17:1-5.

In John 17:5, Jesus explicitly prays, 'And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed,' requesting the restoration of the divine glory he shared eternally with the Father. The Father, in turn, glorifies the Son through acts like the resurrection and ascension (John 17:1), affirming Jesus’ obedience and completed mission. This mutual sharing of glory underscores their inseparable unity while distinguishing their roles within the Godhead.

The interplay between the Father and Son’s glory in these verses highlights the Trinity’s relational harmony: each person reflects and receives glory in a cycle that affirms their co-equal, co-eternal nature. This dynamic challenges hierarchical understandings of the Trinity, instead emphasizing mutual submission and love. For believers, this Trinitarian pattern invites participation in God’s redemptive work, as we are called to reflect His glory through lives of faithful obedience and worship.

Why glorified Matters Today

Understanding 'glorified' shapes Christian hope, worship, and daily living by anchoring believers in the assurance of God’s redemptive promises.

This concept is particularly relevant now as believers navigate a world longing for meaning and permanence. The hope of future glorification (Rom. 8:30) reframes present struggles as transient, urging perseverance in faith. By worshiping a God whose glory is both eternal and relational, Christians are called to reflect His character through humble service and obedience.

Believers respond by aligning their lives with God’s purposes, trusting that their present faithfulness participates in His unfolding glory. The Trinitarian rhythm of mutual glorification (John 17:5) models how Christ’s exaltation invites humans to share in divine honor through union with Him.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of 'glorified,' explore key biblical moments where God's glory is revealed and how it shapes the redemptive narrative.

Exodus 33:18-34:35 records Moses' plea to see God's glory, illustrating how divine radiance both conceals and reveals God's character. Philippians 2:5-11 connects Christ's humble incarnation with His subsequent exaltation, while Revelation 21:23-27 envisions the eternal state where God's glory fully illuminates the new creation, affirming the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive purposes.