** This response is biblically sound, answers the question asked, explains the verses in question with clarity, provides a helpful summary, and maintains a genuinely kind tone.**
Question: I am doing a bible study of Romans. I had a question about Romans 8:17 which says we will share in His glory. I read the article from “Got Questions – What does it mean to be co-heirs with Christ?” Then I read your article – Why will God not give His glory to another? (Isaiah 42:8) ? The article states, “He will not share it (His glory) with anyone”. Since the bible does not contradict itself I was hoping you could help shed light on this for me. Thank you and God bless!
Profile: Male, North America, 56–65, Christian
Answered by: William Glaze, who has been a volunteer with us since February, 2018.
Answer: Greetings My Friend,
Thank you for your question dealing with the tension between Isaiah 42:8 and Romans 8:17. You are absolutely right when you say that the Bible does not contradict itself. As we examine these texts, we see that they are perfectly in line with each other.
The key issue here is context. Context deals with the background to the verse under consideration.
Context: The Nature of God
Isaiah 42:8 says, “I am the Lord; that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praised to graven images” (Isa. 42:8). Within the very nature of God resides His power, beauty, brilliance and splendor, this is His glory. Because it resides within His nature, it cannot be shared with anyone else. This is something that is only reserved for the Most-High God. This is the glory referred to in Isaiah.
Context: The Millennial Reign of Christ
Romans 8:17 says, “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ—if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” During the Millennial reign of Christ when He is seated on the Throne in Jerusalem, He will reign on this earth and be lifted-up and glorified. Believers will reign with Him and share in His glory (Rev. 20:4, 6; 22:5). During this time, Christ will be the king who reigns on Mount Zion and receive the earth as His inheritance (Ps. 2:6-9). Believers will be co-heirs with Christ in the fact that they will reign with Him–this is what it means to be co-heirs with Him.
The distinction between these two verses is that one refers to the glory of God that is a part of His nature which He cannot share (Isa. 42:8). The other refers to the glory of Christ when He sits on His earthly Throne and believers rule and reign with Him; that glory can be shared (Rom. 8:17).
Blessings!
