to whom
This phrase refers to God the Father, as mentioned in the preceding verse. In the context of Galatians, Paul is emphasizing the centrality of God in the gospel message. The Greek word "ὅς" (hos) is a relative pronoun that connects the previous thought to the current one, underscoring the relationship between the gospel and God. This highlights the divine origin and authority of the message Paul is preaching, reminding readers that the gospel is not a human invention but a revelation from God Himself.

be the glory
The Greek word for "glory" is "δόξα" (doxa), which conveys the idea of honor, praise, and splendor. In a biblical context, glory is often associated with the divine presence and majesty of God. By attributing glory to God, Paul is acknowledging His supreme worthiness and the ultimate purpose of all creation—to glorify Him. This phrase serves as a doxology, a short hymn of praise, which is a common feature in Paul's writings, reflecting his deep reverence and worship of God.

forever and ever
The Greek phrase "εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων" (eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn) is a strong expression of eternity. It literally translates to "unto the ages of the ages," emphasizing the unending nature of God's glory. This phrase is used throughout the New Testament to convey the concept of eternal duration, reinforcing the idea that God's glory is not temporary or fleeting but everlasting. It serves as a reminder of the eternal nature of God's kingdom and His unchanging character.

Amen
The word "Amen" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "truly" or "so be it." It is a declaration of affirmation and agreement, often used at the end of prayers or doxologies to express certainty and trust in God's promises. In the context of Galatians 1:5, "Amen" serves as a seal of Paul's declaration, affirming the truth of God's eternal glory. It invites the reader to join in this affirmation, uniting believers in a shared acknowledgment of God's majesty and sovereignty.

(5) Glory.--Perhaps, properly, the glory--i.e., the divine glory: that pre-eminent glory with which no other can compare.

If this is the case, then it would be better to supply "is" than "be." His own peculiar glory does belong to God, and therefore the Christian ascribes it to Him as that which is already His; he does not pray for it as something unfulfilled, as, e.g., he prays for the coming of God's kingdom.

In the insertion of this brief doxology the mind of the Apostle obeys an involuntary impulse of reverential awe. For a similar ascription in the same parenthetic form, comp. Romans 9:5.

For ever and ever.--Literally, for ages of ages, a Hebraising expression for infinite time. Commonly, time was divided only into two great world-periods; but the second is, as it were, multiplied indefinitely--"for all possible ages."

Verse 5. - To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (ῶ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων Ἀμήν). This doxology is not introduced as merely a reverential closing up of the greeting, before the writer hastens on to the subsequent words of rebuke. It is rather an indignant tender of homage to the Most High, flashing forth from a loyal, filial heart; confronting and seeking, so far as it thus may, to redress the wrong done to "our God and Father" by the Judaizing spirit uprearing itself among the Galatians. It is similar in tone to the indignant doxology in Romans 1:25. This view of its origin explains the fact that, as connected with a greeting, such doxology is found only in this of all St. Paul's Epistles. The indignation which pervades the tone of the whole passage favours the suppletion of ἔστω rather than of ἐστίν. Perhaps, indeed ἔστω is in general the more natural suppletion. In 1 Peter 4:11, where ἐστὶν is added by the writer, we have not so much a direct ascription of praise as an affirmation that to God belongs or is due the glory of our performing our several duties with reference to this end. In like manner in the (most probably interpolated) doxology at the close of the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:13, "For thine is the kingdom," etc., the ascription of praise is not so much expressed as implied. Viewed in themselves, the words simply state the truth which constitutes the ground for our addressing to "our Father" our praises and our petitions. The article is most commonly prefixed to δόξα in such ascriptions of praise, whether δόξα stands alone, as Romans 11:36; Romans 16:27; Ephesians 3:21; Philippians 4:20; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 13:21; 2 Peter 3:18; or in conjunction with other nouns, as 1 Peter 4:11; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 7:12. It is wanting in Luke 2:14; Luke 19:38; 1 Timothy 1:17; Jude 1:25. When the article is added it marks the noun as expressing its notion viewed absolutely, in its entirety or universality: q.d. "Whatever glory is to be ascribed anywhere, be it ascribed to him." Thus ἡ δόξα is equivalent to "all glory." For ever and ever; literally, into the aions of the aions; apparently a form of expression adopted to denote intensification or superlativeness, like "holy of holies" (cf. Winer, 'Gram. N. T.,' § 36, 2). It is used where especial intensity is wished to be added to the notion of long undetermined duration; as Revelation 14:11; Revelation 15:7; Revelation 22:5, etc. The same notion is expressed, only with not the same passionate earnestness, by the phrase, "into the aions," in Luke 1:33; Romans 1:25; Romans 9:5; Romans 11:36, etc.; and by "into the aion," in Matthew 21:19; John 6:51, 58, etc. Possibly there is a reference of contrast to" this present aidn" of ver. 4. This, however, is doubtful; for in ver. 4 aion points to a particular condition of affairs subsisting in this aion rather than to a mere mode of duration, which latter is alone in view here. The like observation applies to Ephesians 2:2 compared with ver. 7.

Parallel Commentaries ...


to whom [be]
ᾧ (hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

glory
δόξα (doxa)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.

forever
αἰῶνας (aiōnas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.

[and]
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ever.
αἰώνων (aiōnōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 165: From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.

Amen.
ἀμήν (amēn)
Hebrew Word
Strong's 281: Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.


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NT Letters: Galatians 1:5 To whom be the glory forever (Gal. Ga)