Start: Introduction to A Zero Fluff Bible Study on the Deity of Christ
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Lesson 9: Doxologies to Jesus
Welcome to Lesson 9 of A Zero Fluff Bible Study on the deity of Christ. This is the last lesson in our study! Thank you for joining me on this adventure. If you missed any of the earlier lessons, there are links above. Though this is the final lesson, it need not be the end of studying this aspect of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is always more to learn, and we must always seek to grow in our knowledge of Him.
“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
If you were with me for the previous lesson in this study, you may remember that the verse above was shared at the end of it. Besides fitting well with the context of my lesson wrap up, it also served as a segue into our fourth category of verses that show that Jesus is God. Like 2 Peter 3:18 above, this last category contains verses that have doxologies to Jesus. The above verse ends with a doxology, and we will look at it again in a bit.
As always, please take a moment to pray and get your Bible. Make sure to look up the following verses in context especially if you are unfamiliar with them. Seeing more of God’s word is always a blessing, and it is good practice for your discernment.
Doxologies defined
Doxologies are a special kind of praise or worship offered to God alone (never to men or angels). The following definition of a doxology is from the American Heritage Dictionary.
“An expression of praise to God, especially a short hymn sung as part of a Christian worship service.”[¹]
Doxologies can be found in different denominations’ traditions, but they are also found in the Bible. For our purposes, these are the ones we will focus on. Studying them can help us in our study of the deity of Christ, for the doxologies in the Bible that are offered to Jesus give evidence that He is God.
Following is another definition for doxologies. It is from The Trinity: Evidence and Issues by Dr. Robert Morey. If you would like a good place to head after finishing this study, his book would be an excellent choice to learn more. Dr. Morey’s definition of a doxology can apply to the biblical ones we are about to consider.
“A doxology is a spontaneous outburst of worship in which one ascribes glory, honor, and sovereignty to God.” [2]
It is not hard to understand why the writers of the books of the Bible sometimes burst out with worship to God. Through inspiration, they wrote precious truths about God’s sovereignty, power, and mercy. They wrote of His works and the gift of eternal life. How could they not sometimes erupt into praise and worship? They were undoubtedly saturated with thoughts of His goodness and filled with joy!
Here is some more helpful information about doxologies from Dr. Morey.
“All doxologies manifest the same literary pattern and grammatical structure. They all close with an “Amen” because they are prayers of praise and, thus, acts of worship. The vocabulary used in doxologies ascribe eternal sovereignty, glory, blessing, wisdom, might, power, thanksgiving, majesty, authority, honor, and dominion to God.” [3]
Doxologies to God
To get a good idea of what a biblical doxology looks like, let’s look at some to God or specifically God the Father.
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36) (SMALL CAPS is how the NASB renders OT references in the NT.)
Look at what precedes the doxology (in teal)! How could those marvelous truths not lead to an eruption of praise and worship?
Here are a couple more:
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3-5)
“Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Philippians 4:20)
Being that God is awesome and worthy of praise and worship, it is not surprising that there are even more doxologies in the Bible to Him. (See: Romans 16:27, Ephesians 3:21, 1 Timothy 6:16) I invite you to look for others.
Doxologies to Jesus
Now that we have seen the look and use of doxologies, we will recognize them when we see them directed towards Jesus. Let’s begin to examine the biblical record for doxologies to Jesus by revisiting the verse that this lesson started with.
“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
As I wrote above, this verse ends with a doxology, and it is to Jesus! Notice how similar the form is to the ones offered to God above. This was not a mistake. It was praise and worship offered to Jesus in a similar way as it was offered to God because Jesus is God!
Here are a couple of more examples of doxologies to Jesus.
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18)
“and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood– and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father–to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:5-6)
See also: Romans 9:5
Let’s take a close look at one more example. It is special, as it contains a doxology to both He “who sits on the throne” and Jesus! It is doxology dynamite!
“And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.’ And the four living creatures kept saying, ‘Amen.’ And the elders fell down and worshiped.” (Revelation 5:13-14)
What a scene in heaven! To really appreciate these verses at the end of Revelation 5, please read all of Revelation 4 and 5. Note the introduction and description of He who sits on the throne in Revelation 4:3. Notice the praise and worship He receives as God in Revelation 4:8-11. Then come back to Revelation 5:13-14 and notice that He and the Lamb are both praised and worshiped in doxology… together … equally! He who sits on the throne and the Lamb both praised and worshiped!
This and the other doxologies to Jesus only further solidify what we have seen over and over through this study, Jesus is God! No created being is worthy of the same praise and worship as He who sits on the throne, but Jesus is. No one is worthy of the same honor as the Father, but the Son is. And if you do not honor the Son thusly, you do not honor the Father! (John 5:23) I pray you do honor the Son because He is God. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen!
Last words
How fitting to end this study with words of praise and worship to “our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus”. (Titus 2:13) I pray you offer many doxologies to Him in your lifetime and for all of eternity!
Thank you again for doing this study with me. I hope it was a blessing. Remember, always grow in your knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10) Keep studying and learning more, for He is glorious!
“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)
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A Zero Fluff Bible Study on the Deity of Christ
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For those who would like a hard copy or prefer to work offline. These versions have been updated. They have been edited for grammatical improvements and include an added detailed outline of all the verses in the study!
Footnotes
[1] doxology, American Heritage Dictionary
[2] Morey, Robert. The Trinity. World Pub., 1996, p. 384.
[3] Morey 385.
Ministering in the spirit of Titus 2:3-5 and encouraging women to contend for the faith.
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Thank you for these lessons
You’re welcome, Margaret. Thank you for doing the study.
Will this be available for purchase? I would love to get hands on for studying. What a blessing it is to find your site. God bless
Hi Jo Ann, Welcome! Yes, Lord willing it will be available for purchase on Amazon in November.
*Update* It is available now.