What other scriptures caution against self-boasting and prideful behavior? Framing Paul’s Concern in 2 Corinthians 11:16 “I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But even if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.” Paul resorts to “foolish” boasting only to expose false teachers; elsewhere, Scripture consistently urges us to reject self-promotion. Old Testament Calls to Humility • Proverbs 27:2 — “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” • Proverbs 16:18 — “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” • Proverbs 25:27 — “It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.” • Jeremiah 9:23-24 — “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom… but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me.” • Psalm 138:6 — “Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.” • Obadiah 1:3 — “The pride of your heart has deceived you…” Words of Jesus on Exalting and Humbling • Matthew 23:12 — “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” • Luke 18:14 — “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” • Matthew 6:1 — “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them…” (vv. 2-4 continue the warning on hidden generosity.) • Luke 14:11 — identical principle echoed at the banquet parable. Apostolic Guidance for the Church • Romans 12:3 — “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment.” • 1 Corinthians 4:7 — “What do you have that you did not receive? … Why do you boast as though you did not?” • 1 Corinthians 1:29-31 — “…so that no one may boast in His presence… ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’” • Ephesians 2:8-9 — “It is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” • Galatians 6:14 — “But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” • Philippians 2:3 — “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” • James 4:6 — “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” • James 4:10 — “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” • 1 Peter 5:5-6 — “Clothe yourselves with humility… Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.” The Boast God Welcomes • Jeremiah 9:24 and 1 Corinthians 1:31 unite in teaching: the only legitimate boasting is in knowing the LORD and in the saving cross of Christ. • Galatians 6:14 exemplifies this Christ-centered boast, turning attention away from self and toward the Redeemer. Living the Lesson Scripture forms a unanimous choir: pride invites God’s opposition; humility attracts His favor. By choosing to magnify the Lord instead of ourselves, we walk safely, reflect Christ, and give the watching world a true picture of His grace. |
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