Lexical Summary kauchéma: Boast, boasting, glory, reason for boasting Original Word: καύχημα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance boasting, gloryingFrom kauchaomai; a boast (properly, the object; by implication, the act) in a good or a bad sense -- boasting, (whereof) to glory (of), glorying, rejoice(-ing). see GREEK kauchaomai HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2745 kaúxēma (a neuter noun) – boasting, focusing on the results of exulting/boasting (note the -ma suffix). This boasting (exulting) is always positive when it is in the Lord, and always negative when based on self. See 2744 (kauχaomai). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kauchaomai Definition a boast NASB Translation boast (3), boast about (1), boasting (3), proud (1), proud confidence (1), reason to be proud (1), reason to glory (1), something to boast about (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2745: καύχημακαύχημα, καυχήματος, τό (καυχάομαι), very rare in secular authors; the Sept. for תְּהִלָּה, praise, and תִּפְאֶרֶת, ornament, beauty; several times in Sirach: 1. that of which one glories or can glory, matter or ground of glorying: Romans 4:2; 1 Corinthians 9:15; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 2:16; τό καύχημα ἔχειν εἰς ἑαυτόν μόνον, his glorying confined to himself (R. V. in regard of himself alone), Galatians 6:4; τό καύχημα τῆς ἐλπίδος, the matter for glorying which hope gives, i. e. the hope, of which we glory, Hebrews 3:6. 2. As γέννημα, δίωγμα, θέλημα. ἴαμα, κήρυγμα (2 Timothy 4:17), κλαῦμα, πλήρωμα, φρόνημα, etc., are used for γέννησις, δίωξις, θέλησις, κτλ. (cf. Ellicott on Philippians 4:6), so also (which H. A. W. Meyer persists in denying (as respects the New Testament (see his note on Romans 4:2); so Ellicott and Lightfoot on Galatians 6:4; Lünem. on Heb. as above)) is καύχημα used for καύχησις (Pindar Isthm. 5, 65 (cf. Meyer on Philippians 1:26 note; on the apparent use of nouns in μά in an active sense see Lightfoot on Colossians, p. 257f)), a glorying, boasting: 1 Corinthians 5:6; Philippians 1:26; ὑπέρ τίνος (see καυχάομαι, under the end), 2 Corinthians 5:12; 2 Corinthians 9:3. Strong’s Greek 2745, καύχημα, describes that which gives a person a sense of glorying or exultant confidence. In the New Testament it appears exclusively in contexts that weigh the legitimacy of boasting before God and man. Eleven occurrences, all within the Pauline corpus and Hebrews, chart a progression from the repudiation of self-righteous pride to the celebration of Christ-centered triumph. Boasting Exposed and Emptied Romans 4:2 introduces the term by denying Abraham any ground for self-congratulation: “If Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God.” In like manner 1 Corinthians 5:6 rebukes a congregation whose moral laxity is masked by presumptuous pride: “Your boasting is not good.” Galatians 6:4 warns against comparative pride, urging every believer to “test his own work” so that any legitimate boast rests on personal faithfulness rather than rivalry. Together these passages eradicate human merit as a basis for glorying. Apostolic Boasting Re-defined Paul employs καύχημα positively when it is anchored in divine grace and apostolic stewardship. In 1 Corinthians 9:15 he prefers death to losing “my boast” of preaching free of charge, and in 9:16 he confesses, “I have no reason to boast” in merely fulfilling a divine obligation. Apostolic glorying, therefore, is the joyful acknowledgment that God’s assignment is being faithfully executed. Mutual Pride within the Body of Christ 2 Corinthians 1:14 and 2 Corinthians 5:12 speak of reciprocal boasting between Paul and the Corinthians, rooted not in outward appearance but in sincerity of heart. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 9:3 links καύχημα to the readiness of the Macedonians’ offering, illustrating how shared ministry accomplishments become a corporate joy. Such passages show that believers may take rightful pride in one another’s obedience so long as the credit ultimately ascends to God. Eschatological Orientation Several texts project καύχημα toward the final accounting before Christ. Philippians 1:26 envisions the Philippians’ “boasting in Christ Jesus” overflowing at Paul’s return, while Philippians 2:16 pictures Paul’s own future boast “on the day of Christ” that his labor was not in vain. This eschatological lens purifies present motives: glorying now must be sustainable when Christ evaluates all things. Confidence and Perseverance Hebrews 3:6 grounds communal identity in steadfast confidence: “We are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.” Here καύχημα is inseparable from perseverance; the privilege of belonging to God’s household is evidenced by an unwavering, vocal hope. Historical Background In the Greco-Roman world boasting was a social currency that established honor, lineage, and civic standing. By appropriating the vocabulary of public honor and turning it God-ward, the apostles subvert cultural expectations. What counted in Corinthian patronage networks or Roman citizenship registers is relativized; the only enduring boast is participation in the gospel and fidelity to Christ. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Self-Evaluation: Regular testing of one’s work (Galatians 6:4) guards against hollow pride. Theological Synthesis καύχημα traces a redemptive arc: human pride is emptied, Christ-centered confidence is established, and communal joy is nurtured as believers advance the gospel together. Any legitimate glorying is derivative—grounded in God’s grace, validated by faithful service, shared within the body, and vindicated “on the day of Christ.” Englishman's Concordance Romans 4:2 N-ANSGRK: ἐδικαιώθη ἔχει καύχημα ἀλλ' οὐ NAS: he has something to boast about, but not before KJV: he hath [whereof] to glory; but INT: was justified he has ground of boasting but not 1 Corinthians 5:6 N-NNS 1 Corinthians 9:15 N-ANS 1 Corinthians 9:16 N-NNS 2 Corinthians 1:14 N-NNS 2 Corinthians 5:12 N-GNS 2 Corinthians 9:3 N-NNS Galatians 6:4 N-ANS Philippians 1:26 N-NNS Philippians 2:16 N-ANS Hebrews 3:6 N-ANS Strong's Greek 2745 |
    |