Abstract
Although an abundance of literature is available regarding the glory of Christ in the
Fourth Gospel, relatively little has been written on the glory of Christ’s followers in this
Gospel. John 17.21-23 is frequently cited to promote various causes with the assumption
that this text refers to church unity, but the theme of the glory that Christ has given to his
people to enable their unity has scarcely been noted, and there are many diverse
understandings of the nature of the oneness for which the Johannine Jesus prayed. What is the glory that Christ has given to believers? Diverse theories have been proposed, but
no clear, convincing answers have been offered by contemporary interpreters. In this
thesis, answers to the questions regarding the nature of the δόξα in 17.22-23 are found
primarily in Chapter 17 and in the Farewell Discourse(s), but contributions are garnered
from relevant passages in other sections of the Gospel as well. This is also true of the
question regarding the nature of oneness in 17.22-23. The following questions are
addressed: (1) Who are the people to whom Jesus has given δόξα in John 17.20-23?
(2) What is the δόξα that Jesus has given to his followers? (3) What is meant by oneness
of the believers in vv. 20-23? A survey of the lexicographical background of δόξα is
focused on the use of δόξα in the LXX, since NT usage usually follows that of the LXX.
The meaning of do,xa in the LXX, however, is partly dependent on its meaning in nonbiblical
Greek and partly on the meanings of the Hebrew words that δόξα renders in the
LXX. A consideration of the meanings of δόξα in the Greek OT is supplemented by an
inquiry into the δόξα of the Messiah and of God's People in the LXX. Δόξα in the
Apocrypha, glory in the OT Pseudepigrapha, and memra, yeqara, and shekinah in the
Targums are discussed in the sections that follow, since the intertestamental writings form
an important bridge between the OT and the NT. The survey of the lexicographical
background of δόξα concludes with a discussion of the meanings of δόξα in the NT.
Proceeding with the supposition that answers to the questions regarding the nature of the
gift of δόξα and of oneness in 17.22-23 are found primarily in Chapter 17 and in the
Farewell Discourse(s), the study of Chapter 17 begins first in 17.22-23 and its paragraph
(vv. 20-23), and radiates out from there into the rest of Chapter 17 and the Farewell
Discourse(s). Relevant passages in other sections of the Fourth Gospel are examined as
well. This study does not attempt to discuss every text in the Fourth Gospel that speaks
of δόξα or δόξαζω, but those that are most closely associated with the passage under
consideration are studied and discussed.
© University of Pretoria 2005
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