Doxa
Definition
“a state of being bright, radiant, or magnificent”; “honor”; “majesty”
English Translation
Versions
glory
NASB; NIV; KJV; ESV; NLT
brilliance
NIV
brightness
NASB; ESV
intense
NLT
praise
NIV; ESV; NLT; KJV
honor
NIV; ESV; NLT; NASB
worship
KJV
splendor
NIV
celestial
NIV
angel
NASB
glorious
ESV
supernatural
NLT
dignities
KJV
pride
NLT
New Testament Occurrences
Gospels
42
Acts
4
Paul’s Letters
77
General Letters
26
Revelation
17
Total NT Uses
166
Doxa essentially describes manifestations of supernatural splendor or divine glory. In the Greek translation of the OT (LXX), doxa is the usual translation for the Hebrew word kabod, whose primary meaning relates to weight (being heavy, weighty, or impressive). God’s presence was manifested by a visible, luminous phenomenon referred to as His doxa, which rested in particular in the tabernacle or temple (Exod 40:34–35; 1 Kgs 8:11; Hag 2:7 LXX).
In the NT, doxa can also refer to the visible splendor or brightness of God’s presence (e.g. Rev 15:8; 21:11). Writing to the Romans, Paul uses doxa to describe the direct presence of God and the communion with Him that was forfeited by humanity at the fall (Rom 3:23).
Jesus is also described as manifesting doxa (John 1:14), and consequently, He can be ascribed as doxa (Heb 13:21). Doxa can also refer to an evil supernatural being (2 Pet 2:10), describe the visible manifestation of a benevolent angel (Rev 18:1), or refer to the wonder and greatness of heaven (1 Tim 3:16). God can display His doxa through amazing acts of power such as raising Christ from the dead (Rom 6:4).
To give God doxa means to acknowledge His status and give proper reverence and worship to Him, recognizing that He is worthy of honor and majesty (Luke 2:13–14). God’s displeasure and wrath could be revealed when His status was not properly acknowledged. For example, in Acts 12:20–23, an angel of the Lord struck King Herod Agrippa, killing him because he did not give doxa to God when the crowds hailed him as a god.
Paul informs us that as Christians, a veil has been lifted so we, unlike unbelievers, are able to gaze upon or contemplate the doxa of the Lord (2 Cor 3:15–16). Our focus on the doxa of the Lord—His image or divine splendor—aids our transformation into that same glorious image (2 Cor 3:18). Paul also recounts that a Christian’s resurrected body is transformed into a body of doxa; this body is in contrast to the former body of weakness, which is susceptible to disease, sinfulness, and death (Phil 3:21).
DAVID SEAL
Ekklēsia
Definition
Any public assembly or gathering of people in a political, religious, or informal sense.
English Translation
Versions
church
LEB; NASB; NIV; NLT; ESV; KJV; NRSV
assembly
LEB; NASB; NIV; NLT; ESV; KJV
congregation
LEB; ESV; NASB; NRSV
New Testament Occurrences
Gospels
3
Acts
23
Paul’s Letters
62
General Letters
6
Revelation
20
Total NT Uses
114
Ekklēsia (“assembly”) was the term applied to many types of public gatherings in the ancient Roman world, whether civil or religious. In Scripture, ekklēsia can refer both to assemblies of people in a nonreligious setting and to organized gatherings of the followers of Christ. For example, ekklēsia was used to designate a confused mob opposed to Paul’s message in Ephesus (Acts 19:32, 41). The same term was used to describe a regularly constituted legal assembly of the city (Acts 19:39). Elsewhere in Acts the word is used in the sense of “the people of God” or “the church,” both universally (e.g., Acts 8:3; 9:31) and locally (e.g., Acts 5:11; 8:1). Ekklēsia is also used to refer to the covenant people of God in the Old Testament, the assembly in the desert at the giving of the law (Acts 7:38).
Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012. Print.
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