soli Deo gloria
The English phrase "to God be the glory" is translated into Latin as soli Deo gloria.
soli Deo gloria is a common theological motto used to express that all honor belongs to God alone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Deo, which is the dative singular form of Deus meaning "to God" and gloria, which is the nominative singular form of the noun meaning "glory".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase soli Deo gloria, the words soli Deo are in the dative case to indicate the recipient of the glory, while gloria is the subject in the nominative case. The word Sit is the third person singular present subjunctive form of the verb esse, meaning "to be".
Did you know?
- The word gloria may share a distant root with the English verb 'ignore'. If they are related through Proto-Indo-European roots, it suggests that 'glory' and 'ignorance' both stem from concepts of 'knowledge' or 'knowing'.
- The phrase Soli Deo Gloria is one of the five 'Solae', the theological pillars of the Protestant Reformation used to challenge Catholic church traditions in the 16th century.
- Johann Sebastian Bach often signed his musical compositions with the abbreviation S.D.G. to dedicate his art to God.
Examples in context
- Soli Deo gloria in aeternum.To God alone be the glory forever.
- Omnia faciamus, soli Deo gloria.Let us do everything, to God alone be the glory.
- In hoc opere, soli Deo gloria.In this work, to God alone be the glory.
Example conversation
Two friends are admiring a beautiful cathedral.
- LuciusHaec ecclesia est vera pulchritudo.This church is a true beauty.
- ClaudiaIta est, soli Deo gloria.It is so, to God alone be the glory.
- Luciuslabor artificum est admirabilis.The work of the craftsmen is admirable.
- ClaudiaSed soli Deo gloria detur.But let the glory be given to God alone.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Deo, gloria, CC BY-SA 4.0.
