Lexical Summary alazoneia: Boastfulness, arrogance, pride Original Word: ἀλαζονεία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance boasting, pride, arrogance.From alazon; braggadocio, i.e. (by implication) self-confidence -- boasting, pride. see GREEK alazon HELPS Word-studies 212 alazoneía (a feminine noun derived from alē, "wandering, roaming") – properly, a vagabond ("quack"), making empty boasts about having "cures" to rid people of all their ills (even by producing "wonders," etc.). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alazón Definition boastfulness NASB Translation arrogance (1), boastful pride (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 212: ἀλαζονείαἀλαζονεία, and ἀλαζονία (which spelling, not uncommon in later Greek, T WH adopt (see Iota)), ἀλαζονείας, ἡ (from ἀλαζονεύομαι, i. e. to act the ἀλαζών, which see); a. in secular writings (from Aristophanes down) generally empty, bragqart talk sometimes also empty display in act, swagger. For illustration see Xenophon, Cyril 2, 2, 12; mem. 1, 7; Aristotle, eth. Nic. 4, 13, p. 1127, Bekker edition; (also Trench, § xxix.), b. "an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human riqhts:" 2 Macc. 9:8; Wis. 5:8. c. an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthly things, (R. V. vaunting): James 4:16 (where the plural has reference to the various occasions on which this presumption shows itself; (cf. Winers Grammar, § 27, 3; Buttmann, 77 (67))); τοῦ βίου, display in one's style of living, (R. V. vainglory), 1 John 2:16. The term denotes boastful self-confidence that parades its resources, achievements, or plans as if independent of God. It is not simple rejoicing in what the Lord has done (cf. Psalm 34:2) but an inflated, self-originated pride that assumes autonomy and demands admiration. Occurrences in the New Testament 1 John 2:16 lists it as one of three characteristics of “the world,” alongside “the desire of the flesh” and “the desire of the eyes,” underscoring its systemic opposition to the Father. James 4:16 rebukes businesspeople who map out future profits without reference to God: “As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil”. The plural form James uses suggests habitual patterns rather than an isolated lapse. Theological Significance 1. Root-sin: From Eden forward, humanity’s fall involved an appetite to “be like God” (Genesis 3:5). That impulse grows into the pride John and James condemn. Historical and Cultural Background Greco-Roman society valued public honor. Orators, patrons, and philosophers cultivated reputations through self-promotion. Cynic and Stoic writers mocked blatant braggarts, yet social climbing was endemic. Into this milieu, the apostles saw disciples adopting worldly postures. James addresses merchants who assume control over time and profit; John addresses church members tempted by status within the broader culture. Their warnings cut against prevailing social currents. Intertextual Echoes • Isaiah 14:13-15 against the king of Babylon—an archetype of self-exalting hubris. These passages reveal a canonical trajectory: arrogant boasting attracts swift judgment and is incompatible with covenant fidelity. Pastoral and Practical Implications 1. Planning: Scripture commends prudent planning (Proverbs 21:5) yet insists plans be held in submission to “If the Lord wills” (James 4:15). Eschatological Warning and Hope The world’s boastful pride is “passing away” (1 John 2:17). Final judgment will expose every empty brag (Matthew 12:36). Conversely, humble believers will “shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43). Walking in the footsteps of the meek and lowly Christ, the Church anticipates the day when “the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted” (Isaiah 2:17). Englishman's Concordance James 4:16 N-DFPGRK: ἐν ταῖς ἀλαζονείαις ὑμῶν πᾶσα NAS: But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all KJV: in your boastings: all such INT: in the arrogance of you all 1 John 2:16 N-NFS Strong's Greek 212 |
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