October 06, 2022 – Thursday
Jude 1:24-25 NIV
24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—
25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Jude 1:24-25 NASB
24 Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25 CJB
24 Now, to the one who can keep you from falling and set you without defect and full of joy in the presence of his Sh’khinah — 25 to God alone, our Deliverer, through Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord — be glory, majesty, power and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.
Comment
This came up today as a memory of mine on Facebook from October 5, 2013, nine years ago. In the NIV it has a heading of Doxology. In the CEB (Common English Bible) it has a heading of Blessing. The CEV (Contemporary English Version) gives it a heading of Final Prayer which it is. The LEB (Lexham English Bible) has a heading of Benediction. The NKJV has a heading of Glory to God. The TLV (Tree of Life Version, a Messianic Jewish translation) has a heading Hymn to God our Savior. Many versions have no heading at all, but the most common headings were Benediction, Final Prayer, and Doxology.
I mention all the different headings as while they are not scriptural, they are placed there to help the reader have an understanding of what follows. Sometimes a heading helps, other times not so much. Since I use the NIV as my primary Bible, I asked myself, What is a doxology? I mean I had heard the term many times, but never thought to examine it and find out what it actually meant.
There are a number of definitions, but the one that seemed to best fit what the verses say is the following: A brief formula for expressing praise or glory to God. Doxologies generally contain two elements, an ascription of praise to God (usually referred to in third person) and an expression of His infinite nature. The term “doxology” (“word of glory”) itself is not found in the Bible, but both the Old and New Testaments contain many doxological passages using this formula. (Holman Bible Dictionary) Then I had to look up ascription found in the definition. Its definition is, a statement ascribing something, esp. praise to the Deity.
Clearly the final two verses above fit the definition as God is praised and His infinite nature is addressed (all ages, now and forevermore). I have come to think of doxologies as verses we may wish to comment to memory as they both praise God and describe His nature. For me this one really fits as it has the Father and the Son both praised and described.
Bottom Line: Do you have a favorite doxology in the Bible? A list of New Testament doxologies may be found here. Ours is number 21.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Let us always praise You and acknowledge Your infinite nature as well as that of Your Son. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek