Beholding His Glory
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." - 2 Corinthians 3:18
This interactive exposition explores the profound biblical concept of Christ's glory. Journey through its definition, discover how it is revealed, learn the art of beholding it, and understand its power to transform.
The Grammar of Glory
What does the Bible mean by "glory"? It's not a vague idea, but a term of immense substance, referring to the perceptible manifestation of God's infinite worth. It is the external expression of His internal perfections.
Kabod (כָּבוֹד)
In the Old Testament, this Hebrew word literally means "heavy" or "weighty." It conveys the intrinsic substance, worth, and significance of God. It is His majestic being on display, like a brilliant, devouring fire.
Doxa (δόξα)
The New Testament uses this Greek word to signify the objective, manifest reality of God's splendor. It is the shining forth of His perfections, the visible radiance of His invisible essence.
Christ: The Locus of Glory
While God's glory is seen in creation, it is most perfectly and personally revealed in Jesus Christ. He is not just a reflection of glory; He is the glory of God incarnate.
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature." - Hebrews 1:3
The Prisms of Revelation
The singular light of Christ's glory is revealed through the various "prisms" of His life and work. Click on each prism to explore how a different facet of His glory was manifested.
The Act of Beholding
Beholding Christ's glory is not a passive glance but a deep, intentional act of faith. It is a spiritual discipline cultivated through God-ordained means.
The Means of Beholding
Scripture
The primary means. We read not for data, but to encounter the living Christ.
Prayer
The heart's response to the glory seen in the Word; communion with the one beheld.
Corporate Worship
Gathering as a body to corporately behold, praise, and proclaim His glory.
Ordinances
In the Lord's Supper, we tangibly remember and proclaim the glory of the cross.
The Mind of the Masters
The Inevitable Consequence
Beholding is not an end in itself. It is the means to a glorious end: the spiritual transformation of the beholder into the very image of Christ.
As we continually behold Christ's glory, the Holy Spirit works in us, transforming us "from one degree of glory to another." This is the engine of sanctification—a lifelong process of becoming more like the one we adore.
"The more we look to Jesus, the more we will look like Jesus."