Several letters in the New Testament end with a doxology—which literally means “a speaking of glory.” We refer to a doxology as a hymn or reading used in Christian worship to glorify God. One of my favorites is found at the end of Jude:

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

This short letter from Jude warned the churches in his audience about grave error and false teachers perverting the grace of God. It’s a letter to ponder, to push us to give thought to our own churches and teachings today. But Jude closes his disturbing letter with a beautiful doxology—with a hope found only in God our Savior and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jude’s doxology, worth looking upon again and again, reminds us that as our world grows darker, the Lord shines brighter than ever.

Jude in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Jordan Wozniak