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Glorifying God "In THe Church" Nov 12
Eph 3:21 reads, "Unto Him be Glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
Years ago when I first started preaching, this passage was frequently used to emphasize the importance of the church, and it seems to me to reference the local church, the organized congregation. I even used it myself in that regard.
Than I read R.L. Whiteside, which commentary I still have, who set me straight on this. Showing me the passage referred to the universal body of Christ, to saints, distributively, (Eph 3:10,15). All the promises of God are in Christ, unto God's glory, (2 Cor 1:20).
Faithful service to God through Christ includes both collective work, and that done by us individually and God is glorified in both ways.
When the "whole church comes together" (1 Cor 14:23-25) teaching maybe done by which the unbeliever is made to glorify God. The "church" at Phillipi sent assistance to Paul by which God was glorified (Phil 4:18). And certainly God is glorified when the church relieves those who are "widows indeed" (1Tim 5:16). even though the word glory is not attached to these passages in this case.
But one is foolish indeed who denies that saints may glorify God in service not related to collective (or congregational) activities. In 1 Cor 10, Paul discusses the eating of meats that came from animals slain as pagan sacrifices. In such matters, not remotley related to congregational activity, Paul says, "Whether therefore you eat, or drink, whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God" (vs 3) note-saints, members of the universal church, acting distributively, may glorify God. For further confirmation see Titus 2:5,10; 1 Peter 2:12; Col 3:17.
In reality, many brethren have allowed "party" pride and a sectarian conception of the church to warp their thinking on this subject. They speak of "giving the church the glory." They are confused, when trying to stipulate the "work of the church" because they do not distinguish between the universal church and the local church, nor do they see that the church may act distributively, or in the case of the local church collectively.
Add to this the absurd conclusion that "whatever Christians may do, the organized church, out of its treasury, may do" and the resulting mess is enough to make a grown man cry.
The thanksgiving of many, for the work of Paul, gave glory to God (2 Cor 4:15). The message of the churches, bearing assistance to the needy saints in Jerusalem, glorified God (2 Cor 8:19,23). And the Philipians were "filled with the fruits of righteousness" unto the glory of God (Phil 1:11). Serve God faithfully, and the glory will take care of itself.
Steve Corbett