Effulgence refers to a radiant splendor or brilliance, often used to describe the shining forth of divine glory. In biblical terms, effulgence is closely associated with the manifestation of God's presence and the revelation of His nature through Jesus Christ. The concept is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's holiness and majesty, as well as His desire to reveal Himself to humanity.

Biblical References

The term "effulgence" is not directly used in most English translations of the Bible, but the concept is vividly illustrated in several passages. One of the most significant references is found in the New Testament, in the book of Hebrews:

· Hebrews 1:3 : "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

In this passage, the "radiance of God’s glory" is often understood as the effulgence of God, with Jesus Christ being the perfect and visible expression of God's divine nature. The Greek word used here, "apaugasma," conveys the idea of a shining forth or outshining, emphasizing the divine light and glory that emanates from Christ.

Old Testament Imagery

The Old Testament also provides imagery that aligns with the concept of effulgence, particularly in descriptions of God's presence:

· Exodus 34:29-30 : "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him."

Here, the radiance of Moses' face after encountering God on Mount Sinai serves as a reflection of God's glory. This effulgence was so intense that it instilled fear in the Israelites, highlighting the overwhelming and awe-inspiring nature of divine glory.

Theological Significance

Effulgence, as a theological concept, underscores the belief in Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God. Through Christ, the invisible God becomes visible, and His glory is made manifest to the world. This is central to the Christian understanding of the incarnation, where the divine and human natures are united in the person of Jesus.

The effulgence of God's glory also points to the transformative power of His presence. Just as Moses' face shone after being in God's presence, believers are called to reflect God's glory in their lives. This transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit, who enables Christians to grow in holiness and become more like Christ.

Related Concepts

· Glory: Often associated with effulgence, glory refers to the weightiness and majesty of God's presence. It is a central theme throughout Scripture, highlighting God's supreme authority and holiness.

· Light: In biblical symbolism, light represents truth, purity, and divine revelation. Jesus is described as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), signifying His role in dispelling spiritual darkness and revealing God's truth.

· Transfiguration: The event of Jesus' transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8) is a powerful demonstration of effulgence, where His divine glory is momentarily revealed to Peter, James, and John, affirming His identity as the Son of God.

Effulgence, therefore, is a profound expression of God's self-revelation and the transformative impact of His presence in the lives of believers. Through Christ, the effulgence of God's glory is made accessible, inviting all to partake in the divine light and life.(n.) Splendor; great luster or brightness; extreme brilliancy; a flood of light.541. apaugasma -- radiance
... brightness, radiance. From a compound of apo and augazo; an off-flash, ie Effulgence --
brightness. see GREEK apo. see GREEK augazo. (apaugasma) -- 1 Occurrence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/541.htm - 7k

John i. 9
... introduced? None at all. For He is an Effulgence: but an effulgence is included
in the idea of the nature whose effulgence it is. For ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily vii john i 9.htm

The Revelation in a Son.
... at the end of these days spoken unto us in His Son, Whom He appointed Heir of all
things, through Whom also He made the worlds; Who being the effulgence of His ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter i the revelation in.htm

Index.
... Christ, the coming of, 195; a spotless victim, 156; death of, 37, 93; return of,
188; as creator, 9; the effulgence of God's glory, 12; as theocratic king, 26 ...
/.../edwards/the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/index 2.htm

Regarding the Things Said Concerning Christ.
... one another, as, I am in the Father and the Father in Me [2541] ; and the inseparable
foundation [2542] , as, for instance, the Word, Wisdom, Power, Effulgence ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xviii regarding the things said.htm

Hid in Light
... night falls. The effulgence of the face is such that they that stand in it
are lost and hid, like the lark in the blue sky. 'A glorious ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/hid in light.htm

John Chapter xvii. 1-5.
... perfected. Then will be effected the full effulgence of God, because then
the completed glory, as expressed in Greek by doxa. For ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cv john chapter xvii.htm

Introduction.
... 8. The Son of God is also called the "image" and "effulgence" and "expression"
[of God], for these names have disclosed the Father's incomprehensible and ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction 4.htm

Gregory Again Discusses the Generation of the Only-Begotten, and ...
... nor the force of the term "Son" admits time, matter, place, or affection, so here
too the Scripture employing only the illustration of effulgence and the ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 9 gregory again discusses.htm

Concerning the Holy Trinity.
... we shew that His birth is without time or beginning: for the Son of God was not
brought into being out of nothing [1498] , He that is the effulgence of the ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter viii concerning the holy trinity.htm

The Fear of God.
... in the empyrean of undisturbed perfection; the girdle under his breast, golden between
the snow and the brass;"what were they all but the effulgence of his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the fear of god.htm

Effulgence (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Splendor; great luster or brightness; extreme brilliancy;
a flood of light. Multi-Version Concordance Effulgence (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/effulgence.htm - 6k

Image (126 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 4:4); "who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all
creation" (Colossians 1:15); and once in He: "who being the effulgence of his ...
/i/image.htm - 60k

Efforts (11 Occurrences)

/e/efforts.htm - 9k

Light (2869 Occurrences)
... them.... all the night with a light of fire." Supernatural was the effulgence
at Christ's transfiguration that made "his garments.... ...
/l/light.htm - 31k

Glistering (3 Occurrences)
... It occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. For once the Divine effulgence
shone through the veil of the humiliation (compare John 1:14). ...
/g/glistering.htm - 8k

Radiancy (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality of being radiant; brilliancy; effulgence;
vivid brightness; as, the radiance of the sun. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/r/radiancy.htm - 6k

Expression (17 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Hebrews 1:3 who being the effulgence of his glory and the expression of his
substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, having made by ...
/e/expression.htm - 12k

Effulgent (1 Occurrence)

/e/effulgent.htm - 6k

Brightness (36 Occurrences)
... brit'-nes: Used by the King James Version in Hebrews 1:3 for "effulgence of his
glory," as in the Revised Version (British and American) and the American ...
/b/brightness.htm - 18k

Greatness (63 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 1:3 who being the effulgence of his glory and the expression of his substance,
and upholding all things by the word of his power, having made by ...
/g/greatness.htm - 35k

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