The NT Greek word “doxa” means “glory”, so a doxology is composed of written or spoken words that glorify God. Not Jesus Christ per se, but his Father. The doxologies in the NT are offered “to” God “through” Jesus Christ our Lord. God is our Saviour through Jesus Christ, just as He is our Healer and the source of everything else needed by us in this life through him. Here are two doxologies:
Romans 16:26-27 “…But has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith — to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” (ESV) Note, “to” God “through” Jesus.
Jude 1:24-25 “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (ESV) Again, “to” God “through” Jesus.
God glorified Himself in His Son and then glorified His Son in His own, i.e. the Father’s, glory. When the time drew near for Jesus to be offered on the Cross, he prayed: “Father, glorify Your Name!” Then a voice from heaven said: “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (John 1:28)
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in Himself…” (John 13:31-32) God does not share His glory with anyone; the Father glorifies Himself in the Son and the Son is glorified in the Father. In Revelation, chapter 4, the Father is glorified in heaven as the Creator, and in chapter 5, the Son is glorified as the Redeemer. Each is glorified for a different reason.
There are few things in the Christian life as exhilarating and as satisfying as lifting your heart to the Lord and offering Him a doxology — spontaneously! Other doxologies in the NT are found in Romans 11:36, Galatians1:5, Ephesians 3:21, Philippians 4:20, 1Timothy 1:17, 2 Timothy 4:18, Hebrews 13:21, 1Peter 4:11, and Revelation 1:6, 5:13 & 7:12.
Don’t be surprised if pure worship in your native tongue or in unknown tongues — worship that will take you to a level higher than what you’ve so far known is sure to follow!
More gloriologies, please!