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I. BY THE TERM "GLORY," WHEN REFERRING TO GOD, WE ARE TO UNDERSTAND HIS ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES AND CHARACTER, especially as displayed in the works of creation, providence, and grace. It may serve to illustrate this definition, to consider that the glory of any human beings consists in the display of those parts of their conduct which are deemed worthy of admiration. Thus the false glory of warriors and conquerors has ever been sought to be promoted by the declaration and celebration of their deeds of valour; the glory of the beneficent, by the record of their acts of charity; and the glory of men of science by the name they acquire for the discoveries which they make. Those who desire to extend the glory of such persons effect their object by extending the knowledge of what has been accomplished by the subjects of their admiration; and in proportion to the degree of manifestation, is the amount of glory attained. So with respect to the Divine character, the glory in itself is infinite, because it consists in the uncreated excellency of infinite perfection; but the manifestation of the glory is increased or diminished according to our knowledge or ignorance of the attributes and acts and character of the most high God.

II. CONSIDER THIS GLORY AS THE END OF GOD IN CREATION, PROVIDENCE, AND GRACE, and how the creatures are made subservient thereto. It is quite conceivable that Jehovah might have continued to delight Himself alone, without putting forth any act of creative power; but it became His infinite goodness to communicate and reveal itself by giving being to various ranks of intelligent creatures. After He had created the angels, He might have paused for ages longer before He condescended to form the material world, or to people it with inferior beings. But it was His blessed will to increase the happiness of the angels, by increasing their knowledge of Himself; and therefore the command went forth, the earth arose out of chaos, and the morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy, at the new manifestation of the Divine glory. Wisdom and love and power were magnified by their being put forth into exercise. The glory of the Divine attributes doth shine brighter and brighter until the perfect day, and a fuller and fuller disclosure of them may be looked forward to, in the kingdom of God. They dwell, as in a fountain, in Jehovah; they streamed forth as a wide and rapidly increasing river in the works of creation and preserving Providence; but they spread into a searchless and unbounded ocean in the displays of redeeming grace.

III. NOTICE SOME OF THE PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT THUS UNDERSTOOD.

1. If our only true enjoyment is to be found in the knowledge of the glory of God, this fact affords a new argument for highly estimating that whereby this glory is revealed.

2. In order to carry out into our habitual conduct the precept of the inspired apostle, it is necessary that we cordially acquiesce in the design of God. As long as we adopt any other end, we are pursuing vanity and lies.

3. Diligently cultivate the use of those means which are fitted to increase our knowledge of God.

4. Before engaging in any pursuit, consider how it bears upon the great ultimate end of all things. God hath given you mental faculties, and you ought to employ them; but see that they are employed about those objects which tend to promote His glory. God hath given you affections, and these affections are not to lie dormant; but see that they are awake to objects becoming a pilgrim and a stranger upon earth. He permits you to enjoy intercourse with your fellow-men; but see that your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt. It is in the way of self-denial, of lowliness, of dependence, that fresh revelations of Divine beauty meet the traveller in his journey heavenward.

5. Consider the variety of ways in which we may advance the Divine glory.

(H. Craik.)

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KJV: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

WEB: Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.