24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory 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 24–25 (ESV)
Jude concludes his epistle with one of the most poignant doxologies contained in Scripture. A doxology is an expression of praise to God. “In the Christian church, we often hear them sung or chanted. They are a tradition that has meaning and importance for all Christians. Since the early church, doxologies have been a way for Christians to express their love and thankfulness for what God has done in their lives,” explains one author.
The are several doxologies contained in the Scriptures. Here is but a brief sampling.
10 “Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” (1 Chronicles 29:10–13 (ESV)
33 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, for who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33–36 (ESV)
20 “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV)
The concluding verse in Jude’s epistle contains the same theme contained in all doxologies. Jude is filled with an expression of praise to the Lord God Almighty.
Jude wrote, “To the only God.” Jude echoed the theme contained throughout the Scriptures. This is the truth the God of the Bible is the one, true God of heaven and earth. There is none other.
6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. 7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. 8 Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.” (Isaiah 44:6–8 (ESV)
“5 I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, 6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:5–6 (ESV)
Next, this one, true God is “our Savior.” Savior (σωτῆρι; soteri) means deliver. God delivers sinners from the penalty, power and eventual presence of sin by grace alone, through God-given faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.
The sinner’s salvation is “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” How has God chosen to deliver sinners from the ravages sin and hell? God the Father did so through the virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary atonement, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ; the second person of the Trinity. In Christ alone is the believer’s only hope.
Jude’s response was a climax of praise to God. “To the only God…be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Glory (δόξα; doxa) refers to praise and honor. Majesty (μεγαλωσύνη; megalosyne) is greatness. Dominion (κράτος; kratos) is strength and power. Authority (ἐξουσία; exousia) is the liberty and right to exercise strength and power. These attributes of God existed before time began, and will continue to exist for all eternity.
“The doxology offers “glory, majesty, dominion, and authority” to God through Jesus Christ, who as the God-man is our mediator now and forever. Let us then be quick always to offer praises to the Lord of glory through His only begotten Son,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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