NASB
(New American Standard Bible)
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.
be glory, majesty, dominion and authority,
before all time and now and forever. Amen.
NLT
(New Living Translation)
All glory to him who alone is God,
our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time,
and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time,
and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
We reached the last verse in the book of Jude. He finishes with an incredible description of our Creator and His Son. There are many words to digest in this meaty verse. Here's what stands out to me.
You may want to dig in and draw your own conclusions
by reading some commentaries at Biblegateway.com or BlueLetterBible.org.
- to the only God our Savior - Jude uses the word μόνος mónos here, which translates He who alone is God, though when traced back to the root word, μένω ménō, we find a primary verb which means: to stay (in a given state, relation or expectancy). It also means to abide, to be held, remain, kept continually. While I couldn't find an exact reference to this particular verse, θεός theós when translated means God, the Creator and owner of all things; as well as referring to the supreme being who owns and sustains all things. σωτήρ sōtḗr, the author of our salvation through Jesus Christ, is from the primary σώζω sṓzō which means to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to rescue.
- be glory, majesty, dominion and authority - δόξα dóxa, or glory, is the kingly majesty which belongs to Him who is the supreme ruler. Majesty is μεγαλωσύνη megalōsýnē in Greek. We have to trace its roots a bit to fully understand this word. μέγας mégas the root of majesty translates to great, predicated of rank, as of persons, eminent for ability, virture, authority, power and of things which overstep the province of a created being. κράτος krátos is the Greek word for dominion. It translates as power, might, mighty in power. ἐξουσία exousía, is authority. Jude used this word as the power of Him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed.
- before all time and now and forever - I think this phrase is self-explanatory. The words in Greek translate the same into English. God: He Is, He Was, He Always Will Be.
This is a lot to take in, isn't it? Let's re-write so we might fully understand what Jude is telling us.
To He, Who alone is God,
the Creator and owner of all things,
the Author of Salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ,
be the kingly majesty which belongs to Him,
Who is the supreme ruler, great, mighty in power,
and Whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed,
before all time and now and forever.
Are you beginning to see He is quite indescribable? We can give all the illustrious words and accolades, yet we cannot fully describe Him. You know what I love best about this verse? The "AMEN" at the end. Amen means so be it, or it is Truth. You can firmly believe all these descriptions are truly Who He Is.
This Awesome God...He so loves you.
AMEN.
What stood out most to you in this verse?
