Soli Deo Gloria

The words on the merch are these: soli deo gloria. The small label under them is the Message Merch™ logo.

They are Latin, and they mean “Glory to God alone.”

Where the words come from

The phrase is not a verse, but the idea runs all through the Bible. Paul wrote:

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36 (KJV)

A line of history

Soli Deo Gloria became a motto of the Protestant Reformation. Later writers grouped it with four other “alone” phrases, known as the five solas.

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote the initials S.D.G. at the end of many of his scores. At the top of many, he wrote J.J., for Jesu juva, “Jesus, help.” He asked for help when he started and gave God the credit when he finished.

What it means

Everything good comes from God, so the credit goes back to him. That covers the big things and the ordinary ones: work, music, meals, a kind word. It is a way of saying, “This is not about me.”

What it does not mean

It does not mean people or their work do not matter. God made us, and he cares what we do. The point is who gets the glory, not whether the work is worth doing.

What to say if someone asks

“It’s Latin for ‘Glory to God alone.’ Whatever I do, the credit goes to him.”

If they want more, you can tell them about Bach signing his music S.D.G., or read them 1 Corinthians 10:31.

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