That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Parallel translations
- WEB to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:
- BSB in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory.
- NKJV that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
- NASB to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
- NLT God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The purpose is that those who first hoped in Christ would live to the praise of God's glory. It restates that God's glory is the end of salvation.
Overview
Paul repeats the refrain 'to the praise of his glory,' the recurring goal of God's saving acts. 'We who had before hoped in Christ' likely refers to Jewish believers like Paul who first received the gospel. The verse keeps worship at the center: God saves a people in order to display and be praised for his glory.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- Eph 1:6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
- Jer 17:5–7Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
- Eph 1:13–14In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
- Jer 23:6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
- Isa 42:1–4Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
- Isa 12:2Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
- Isa 45:23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
- Eph 3:21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
- Ps 146:3–5Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
- 2 Th 2:13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
- Isa 11:10And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
- Jas 1:18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
- Ps 2:12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
- Matt 12:18–21Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
- Eph 2:7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
- Isa 32:1–2Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
- Isa 45:25In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
- John 14:1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
- Rom 15:12–13And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
- 1 Pet 1:21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
- 2 Tim 1:12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
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Christ at the center
Every spiritual blessing is 'in Christ,' the head over all things for the church, in whom Jew and Gentile are made one new man by his blood.
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Original language
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