Philippians 4:20

May glory be given to God our Father forever and ever. Amen.

That God is both the Father of Paul, a Jew, and the gentile recipients of this letter is the reality that Jesus brought to light, for as many as believe in him would become children of God, as many as believe in His name.

But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children— children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God. (John 1:12-13)

And the glory goes to the Father because He is the one who does these things.

God is not a bystander in history, either of creation or salvation; He is the one who stirred history in the direction He wants as a display of His greatness.

He is the one who set into motion the coming together of all nations under the banner of Christ, after the rebellion in the garden of Eden.

The prophets were the bridge between the law given to Moses and the reality that Jesus would inaugurate.

They spoke against the falling away of Israel and rebuked that nation, which all came to pass. In the midst of that, we have words about the new reality God would bring about, which became foundational scriptures for the church. They laid the template for explaining that Christ is the Messiah and that we now need to bow to Him and believe in Him. It was hidden as a mystery, and the apostles and prophets revealed it.

When reading this, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ (which was not disclosed to people in former generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit), (Ephesians 3:4-5)

Paul also said the scriptures/the Old Testament contained gems that made Timothy wise for salvation.

and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)

So these prophets spoke, and their words came to pass, including Jesus stepping on the earth and saying the scriptures were written about Him (John 5:39). And people who followed him proclaimed the truth using the scriptures. Paul also argued that Jesus was the Christ (the promised King-Savior-Prophet-Priest-Divine One in the flesh) according to the scriptures, and hinged everything on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead.

This clearly is glory to the Father, who set the stage and put the players in motion. But to what end?

To me—less than the least of all the saints—this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ and to enlighten everyone about God’s secret plan—the mystery that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things. The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access to God by way of Christ’s faithfulness. (Ephesians 3:8-12)

God laid all these out, and we are players in the eternal grand scheme of things where the church becomes a way for God to communicate who He is to principalities and powers.

With that understanding, we can begin to grasp the idea of Paul’s heart overflowing with praise to God.

This is not the only time Paul’s pen will spill out in praise to God.

But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. Now to the eternal King, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen. (1 Timothy 1:16-17)

That was also in the context of the intersection between us and the divine, small us in intersecting with God’s eternal plans.

In the Timothy passage, God’s patience leads Paul to declare glory to God. And in this focus verse, the immediate issue was the glorious riches of Christ that are ours in Christ.

And also:

Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

All of them are about God and man finally becoming allies, about God’s condescension, and about God loving us and choosing us in Christ from eternity. They are about our special spiritual status and our connection with the divine.

There is overflowing joy in that, there is joy eternal in that, because of awe at the display of eternal wisdom and power, all centered on Christ.

When darkness was over the face of the earth, God spoke, " Let there be light. But that was not the end.

For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

That surely is glory to God because He is the cause. We are the new creature because God is creating something new. God is also at work in us now (Phil. 2:13). The Father is not seated on a couch somewhere in heaven, but He is active right now.

He initiated the old creation as a revelation of who he is to man with his physical provision, and the new creation is a revelation of who he is with his spiritual provision for the fallen man.

All glory to our Father forever and ever. Amen.