Though Paul had hoped to preach in the marketplaces of Rome, he instead finds himself chained to Roman soldiers under house arrest for two years. His reach is limited; he can only speak to those immediately around him. Yet, rather than discouraged or defeated, we see Paul filled with triumphant praise for God. Despite his hardships, he reaches a crescendo of praise in this verse. This same focus on God’s glory is one we need, especially in the face of our own challenges. So, let’s dive into Philippians 4:20, answering five questions to uncover its meaning.

And the concept of Soli Deo Gloria—“to God’s glory alone”—summarizes the heart of this verse. This Reformation cry reminds us that God alone deserves the credit and honor for all of life. Every blessing we enjoy and every work we accomplish stems from His grace. To glorify God alone means we direct all our praise, love, and service to Him, acknowledging His sovereignty over every part of life.

1. What is the Glory of God?

Philippians 4:20 “Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever.”

In this, Paul points us toward God’s glory, which has two aspects: intrinsic glory and ascribed glory.

—God’s intrinsic glory, found in verse 19, refers to His inherent, eternal greatness—His holiness, sovereignty, wisdom, and love that are unchanging and complete. This glory isn’t given by anyone; it simply is, as seen in verses like Isaiah 6:3, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

—In contrast, ascribed glory is what we offer back to God in response to His greatness. As seen in Psalm 29:2, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness,” we are called to honor God, reflecting His glory through praise and obedience.

Our acknowledgment of His majesty becomes the fruit of understanding His nature. While we cannot add to His intrinsic glory, we reflect His light in our worship, humility, and gratitude.

2. Who is to be Glorified?

Paul directs us specifically to “our God and Father” in this verse, singling out the first person of the Trinity as the ultimate source of every blessing.

Though glory is given to the Son and Spirit elsewhere in Scripture, here Paul emphasizes God the Father. God is praised as the source of all our provisions, the One who sent the Son and applies His grace by the Spirit. He is, as Ephesians 1:3 states, “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing.”

Throughout Philippians, Paul reveals the Father’s many roles:

—Giver of grace (Philippians 1:2),

—Worker of salvation (Philippians 1:6),

— and Exalter of Christ (Philippians 2:9-11).

Each title points us back to the Father’s active love, calling us to honor Him as the source of grace, strength, peace, and joy.

Romans 11:36 also declares, “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!”

We owe Him our heartfelt praise because everything we have flows from His boundless goodness.

3. Who Should Give Glory to God?

In saying “our God and Father,” Paul shifts from “my” (Philippians 4:19) to “our,” inviting every believer to share in giving glory.

This simple word change shows that glorifying God is a corporate call—a privilege for the entire family of God. We’re not meant to worship in isolation; rather, our praise is a shared expression of gratitude and honor toward God, uniting all who believe in Him (Heb. 10:24-25; Rev. 7:9).

Psalm 115:1 echoes this, “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

Our glory-giving is communal, joining believers worldwide to declare God’s greatness. As redeemed members of His body, we’re called to lift our voices together, giving thanks and proclaiming His goodness.

Hebrews 13:15 encourages, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”

4. How Long Should We Glorify God?

Paul’s phrase, “forever and ever,” signals that our praise to God is endless. Worship is not reserved for Sunday mornings; it is meant to fill our lives each day and will continue into eternity. This constant praise is a powerful reminder that our relationship with God isn’t bound by time or circumstance.

As Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Paul shows that even in prison, he finds cause to glorify God. His circumstances don’t dictate his joy, and neither should ours. Worship is a constant way of life, and our gratitude should overflow even in trials.

Revelation 5:13 gives us a glimpse of heaven’s worship: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

This is the eternal anthem of heaven, and our praise on earth is simply a prelude to the worship we will enjoy forever.

5. How Strong Should Our Praise Be?

Paul concludes Philippians 4:20 with a strong “Amen,” a word signifying certainty and wholehearted agreement.

This “Amen” is not just an ending; it’s a powerful affirmation of faith. In all circumstances, Paul’s praise is filled with deep conviction, as we should also be emboldened in our worship. Our “Amen” should reflect trust, as seen in Psalm 73:26, “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

This strong, vibrant “Amen” reminds us that praise should come from a faith filled with confidence and joy, not doubt or uncertainty. Rather than being a question mark, our lives should be an exclamation point, proclaiming God’s glory with passion and assurance.

In 2 Corinthians 1:20, Paul says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

This is the bold, assured response of one who trusts fully in God’s faithfulness.

So, let’s commit to glorifying God in every season, in every challenge, and with every part of our lives. This is the call of Philippians 4:20, and it is both our duty and our joy. May our hearts be steadfast, our faith strong, and our lives a living “Amen” to the glory of God.