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I. THE TRUE MEANING OF THE PHRASE.

1. The glory of God is —

(1) The essence, person, or majesty of God; i.e., God Himself, who is the fountain of glory (2 Peter 1:17).

(2) The manifestation of God's perfections (Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 11:7). And because in every one of the Divine perfections there is something distinctly worthy of praise, it is not unprequent to call any one of those perfections the glory of God.

(a)  The Divine power (Psalm 19:1; John 11:4, 40).

(b)  The Divine mercy and goodness as the attributes wherein God chiefly delights (James 2:13, "Mercy glorieth over judgment"; see also Romans 9:23; Ephesians 3:16). These are also called the glory of Christ (John 1:14). And even the glory of a man (Proverbs 19:11; see also Ephesians 1:14; Romans 11:32).

2. The glorifying God is(1) The acknowledgment which creatures make again to God —

(a) In worshipping (Psalm 29:1; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 19:7); and because the heathen gave this to others instead of the true God St. Paul charges them (Romans 1:21) with knowing God but glorifying Him not as God.

(b) By thanks particularly returned for special benefits received (Luke 17:18).

(c) By acknowledgment of His government and supreme dominion in the world (Philippians 2:11; Revelation 11:13). Belshazzar, for neglecting this, was reproved by Daniel (Daniel 5:22). And Herod, in Acts 12:23.

(2) Confession of past sins with true humiliation (Joshua 7:19).

(3) Actual repentance, and forsaking of sin, by real amendment (Revelation 16:9).

(4) Habitual holiness (1 Corinthians 6:20; Philippians 1:11). In a word: whatever tends to the true honour of religion, to its promotion among men, are the things which promote the glory of God. Hence the apostles, in their exhortations to the practice of any virtue, urge this argument — that it will be to the glory of God (Romans 15:5; and text; see also Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11; Titus 2:10).

II. WHAT IT IS THAT IS REQUIRED OF MEN IN PRACTICE IN ORDER TO THEIR SATISFYING THE PRECEPT. He who will in all things promote the glory of God, must —

1. Show forth the sense he has of God upon his mind, by acts directly religious (Hebrews 10:24; Psalm 107:31; Revelation 5:13).

2. Resolve against being at any time guilty of any action which is sinful (Romans 2:23; Numbers 15:30; Isaiah 5:24; 1 Corinthians 10:22).

3. In all actions of moment, although not directly religious, expressly intend the glory of God as the main end.

4. The same in the smallest and most inconsiderable actions of life. The Scripture represents all, even irrational and the very inanimate creatures (Psalm 148:2, etc.) as glorifying God, because they act regularly, according to the nature He has given them, and by His command. Much more, then, may even the most common actions of men be justly said to be done to the glory of God, when they are done, as becomes men and Christians. Conclusion:(1) The text rebukes those who, far from doing all things to the glory of God, do, on the contrary, dishonour Him by open sin.

(2) Those who, though they do not dishonour God by acts directly irreligious, yet are careless and negligent in matters of religion.

(3) Such as have indeed a zeal for religion, but not according to knowledge, placing the main stress on ceremonies unworthy of God; or in opinions and notions, which through their obscurity or their disagreeableness to the everlasting gospel, hinder, instead of promoting, the glory of God.

(4) Even the best of men have need to be admonished, to be more and more deligent in all their actions, to do everything to the glory of God: not with a superstitious anxiety or burdensome preciseness, but with a cheerful application of everything that occurs in life, to the promoting of truth and virtue among men.

(S. Clarke, D.D.)

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KJV: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

WEB: Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.