Definition and Concept
Outshining, in a biblical context, refers to the act of surpassing others in glory, brilliance, or excellence. This concept is often used metaphorically to describe the surpassing greatness of God, His works, and His chosen servants. The idea of outshining is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where God's glory and the righteousness of His people are depicted as a light that outshines darkness.

Biblical References

1. God's Glory
The Bible frequently describes God's glory as outshining all creation. In Psalm 19:1, it is written, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." This verse illustrates how God's creation itself outshines in declaring His majesty and power. Similarly, in Isaiah 60:1, the prophet calls upon Jerusalem to "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you," indicating that God's presence outshines all else.

2. Jesus Christ
Jesus is often depicted as the ultimate embodiment of outshining glory. In the New Testament, the transfiguration of Jesus is a significant event where His divine nature is revealed. Matthew 17:2 states, "There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." This moment signifies how Jesus outshines in His divine glory, surpassing the prophets and the law.

3. Believers as Light
Believers are called to reflect the light of Christ, outshining the darkness of the world. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus tells His followers, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." This passage encourages believers to live in such a way that their lives outshine the darkness, drawing others to God.

4. The Church
The Church, as the body of Christ, is also called to outshine in its mission and witness. Ephesians 5:8-9 exhorts believers, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth." The Church is to outshine by embodying the virtues of Christ and standing as a beacon of hope and truth in a fallen world.

5. Eternal Glory
The concept of outshining is also linked to the eternal glory that awaits believers. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul writes, "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison." This verse speaks to the future glory that will outshine present sufferings, offering hope and encouragement to the faithful.

Theological Implications
The theme of outshining in the Bible underscores the supremacy of God's glory and the transformative power of His presence in the lives of believers. It calls Christians to live in a manner that reflects God's light, surpassing the darkness of sin and the world. The concept also points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, where His glory will be fully revealed and outshine all else in the new creation.

The Lessons from Olivet
... And there, just before us, outshining everything in its beauty, is that sacred temple,
that was "forty and six years in building." Its white marble walls, its ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the lessons from olivet.htm

Diversities in Modes of Religious Development, and in The
... Only those secure possession of that precious pearl, outshining in beauty and splendor
all beside, who prize it above all else, and shun no pains, no cost to ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/ 1 diversities in modes.htm

Chapter i
... where the simple, absolute, and unchangeable mysteries of heavenly Truth lie hidden
in the dazzling obscurity of the secret Silence, outshining all brilliance ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter i.htm

Between the Two Appearings
... The twenty-sixth verse speaks of his unique manifestation already accomplished,
and the twenty-eighth verse promises the glorious second outshining, as it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/between the two appearings.htm

The Duty of Remembering the Poor
... see some of the finest specimens of the full development of Christianity in those
who are the very meanest in temporal circumstances; far outshining those whom ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the duty of remembering the.htm

"God with Us"
... the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father; He was "the
image of God," the image of His greatness and majesty, "the outshining of His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 1 god with us.htm

The King in his Beauty
... Our conception of the scene will be very different, as we think of that lustre from
His face, and that bright cloud, as outshining the blaze of a Syrian sun ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the king in his beauty.htm

Four Miracles
... peak to peak. We have reached a point at which St. Mark records a special
outshining of miraculous power. Four striking works follow ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 39 5 15 5 31 5 41.htm

The Saints of God in Yonder Realm,
... tr., John Brownlie 8.6.8.6.8.8. I. The saints of God in yonder realm,. Have crowns
of varied gem; Outshining far in brilliant sheen,. Earth's fairest diadem; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/the saints of god in.htm

The Death of Jesus
... But it is very different when we pass from the Divine consciousness to the hearing
of God toward Christ our representative, to the outshining or eclipse of His ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 15 33-41 the death of.htm

Outshining (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Outshining (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 1:3 Who, being
the outshining of his glory, the true image of his substance ...
/o/outshining.htm - 6k

Outset (1 Occurrence)

/o/outset.htm - 6k

Beholding (45 Occurrences)
... We cannot clearly and fully behold the outshining of spiritual grandeur in Christ
Jesus, but in the gospel God accommodates and adjusts the vision as we are ...
/b/beholding.htm - 21k

Stamp (25 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 1:3 Who, being the outshining of his glory, the true image of his substance,
supporting all things by the word of his power, having given himself as an ...
/s/stamp.htm - 16k

Supporting (31 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 1:3 Who, being the outshining of his glory, the true image of his substance,
supporting all things by the word of his power, having given himself as an ...
/s/supporting.htm - 16k

Offering (850 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 1:3 Who, being the outshining of his glory, the true image of his substance,
supporting all things by the word of his power, having given himself as an ...
/o/offering.htm - 39k

Outside (215 Occurrences)

/o/outside.htm - 36k

Light (2869 Occurrences)
... holiness, and thus a personal quality. It is the outshining of Deity. 3.
An Attribute of Holiness: (1) God. "God is light, and in ...
/l/light.htm - 31k

Clean (298 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 1:3 Who, being the outshining of his glory, the true image of his substance,
supporting all things by the word of his power, having given himself as an ...
/c/clean.htm - 44k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus