by Ester yusufu | 7 April 2025 08:46 pm04
Understanding the difference between holiness and glory is vital in grasping the nature of God and His work in our lives. Though these words are often used together, they are not the same. Let’s explore what each means and how they relate to each other from a biblical and theological perspective.
Holiness refers to moral purity, separation from sin, and dedication to God. The Hebrew word for holy (qadosh) means “set apart.” In the New Testament, the Greek term hagios carries a similar meaning.
To be holy means to be pure, undefiled, and separated for God’s purposes. This applies both to physical things (like the temple or sacrifices) and to people who follow God.
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
— 1 Peter 1:14–15
A holy person is someone who has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus and chooses to live in obedience to God, rejecting sin.
Glory (Hebrew: kabod; Greek: doxa) refers to the visible or manifest beauty, brilliance, or greatness of God. It is the radiance that results from His nature and holiness. In simple terms, glory is what shines out from holiness—the visible or tangible expression of God’s perfection.
To illustrate: when gold is purified, it shines. That shine is its glory. Similarly, God’s holiness results in an overwhelming radiance—His glory.
“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother… and he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.”
— Matthew 17:1–2
Here, Jesus’ inner holiness was revealed outwardly as glory—a visible, radiant light.
We must understand this principle: Holiness comes first, and glory flows from it. You cannot have true glory without holiness. When someone is holy—cleansed from sin, walking in the Spirit, and separated for God—the glory of God becomes evident in their life, even if it’s not visible in a physical sense.
Jesus, being perfectly holy, revealed the glory of God in everything He did. Likewise, believers who pursue holiness reflect God’s glory in their lives.
“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
God’s glory is inseparable from His holiness. In Isaiah’s vision, the seraphim declare God’s holiness repeatedly—and then say the earth is full of His glory:
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”
— Isaiah 6:3
Here, the holiness of God is the foundation of His overwhelming glory. Even the angels hide their faces from His radiant presence (Isaiah 6:2), showing that His glory is awe-inspiring and powerful.
Absolutely. Through the sanctifying work of Christ and the Holy Spirit, believers are called to live holy lives—and in doing so, they reflect the glory of God in a dark world.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
— 1 Peter 2:9
And in the Old Testament:
“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
— Psalm 16:3
Holiness is not just possible—it is expected of all who belong to Christ. And through that holiness, God’s light (His glory) shines through us to the world.
Holiness is about being clean, pure, and set apart for God. Glory is the radiance that flows from that holiness. Without holiness, there can be no true glory. But if we walk in holiness, God’s glory will shine in us and through us.
Let us, therefore, pursue holiness—not just for personal piety, but that the glory of God might be revealed in our lives.
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
— Hebrews 12:14
May the Lord help us live holy lives that reflect His glory.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2025/04/07/whats-the-difference-between-holiness-and-glory/
Copyright ©2025 Wingu la Mashahidi unless otherwise noted.