What Does Philippians 4:20 Mean?

Now to our God and Father let there be weight for the ages of the ages. Amen.

Philippians 4:20 · SDV

Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.

Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.

This verse in the King James

King James wording

King James Version

Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

THE KEY

“Glory” carries the sense of weight: this verse names God as the weight that remains through every age.

THE MEANING

God’s weight does not fade as ages pass; the one named as God is also our Father. “Amen” gives this praise the force of a settled yes.

THE ROOT

δόξα

doxa

GROWS FROM

δοκέω

dokeō

To seem, be regarded, or hold an opinion; the word family develops toward reputation and honor.

Greek doxa carries the sense of recognized honor; the Hebrew word ⁨כָּבוֹד⁩ (kavod, “weight”) gives that honor its weight-bearing dimension. Here, glory is more than decoration: God’s weight endures through every age.

ALSO GROWS

doxazō: to honor, glorify

δοξάζω

This verb makes doxa an act of giving honor, showing that the verse names what is due to God.

endoxos: held in honor, glorious

ἔνδοξος

This word describes recognized standing, revealing the weight of reputation carried by doxa.

THE PATTERN

God’s weight and honor are recognized across the ages and throughout creation.

A Psalm of David. Give to the LORD, you sons of the mighty; give to the LORD weight and strength.

Psalm 29:1 · SDVThe verse joins glory with strength, presenting the LORD’s honor as something weighty.

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the end that God is given weight.

1 Corinthians 10:31 · SDVThe same word, doxa, names the honor that belongs to God across the ordinary actions of life.

And every created thing in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, and all that is in them, I hear them saying, Blessing, and honor, and weight, and power, be to the one who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb, into the ages of the ages.

Revelation 5:13 · SDVThe praise of every creature gathers into glory and power given to God and the Lamb through the ages.

THE THREAD

For our light pressure, which is for a moment, works for us a heavy weight, the weight of the ages, overflowing measure upon measure.

2 Corinthians 4:17 · SDV

This verse places weight directly beside glory, making explicit the weight-bearing sense carried by doxa. Its contrast between what lasts for a moment and the weight of glory opens Philippians’ “for ever and ever” further.

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