The term "boasteth" is an archaic form of the verb "boast," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It generally refers to the act of speaking with excessive pride or self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities. In the biblical context, boasting is often portrayed negatively, as it reflects a reliance on self rather than on God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, boasting is frequently associated with arrogance and a lack of trust in God. For example, in Psalm 52:1 , David addresses the boastful nature of the wicked: "Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long." Here, boasting is linked to evil deeds and a disregard for God's enduring love and righteousness.

Proverbs also addresses the folly of boasting. Proverbs 27:1 warns, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." This verse highlights the uncertainty of life and the importance of humility, reminding believers that only God knows the future.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, boasting is often contrasted with the humility and dependence on God that should characterize a believer's life. The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the issue of boasting in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 1:31 , Paul writes, "Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'" This echoes Jeremiah 9:24, emphasizing that any boasting should be centered on God's attributes and works, not on human accomplishments.

Paul further elaborates on this theme in Ephesians 2:8-9 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Here, boasting is directly linked to the concept of salvation, underscoring that it is a gift from God and not something earned by human effort.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, boasting is seen as a manifestation of pride, which is considered a fundamental sin that separates humanity from God. Pride leads individuals to rely on their own strength and wisdom rather than acknowledging their dependence on God. This is why Scripture consistently calls believers to humility and to boast only in the Lord.

James 4:16 provides a stark warning: "As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil." This verse reinforces the idea that boasting, when rooted in self-centeredness, is contrary to the Christian life, which should be marked by humility and submission to God's will.

Practical Application

For believers, the biblical teaching on boasting serves as a reminder to cultivate humility and to recognize God's sovereignty in all aspects of life. It encourages Christians to shift their focus from self-glorification to glorifying God, acknowledging that all good things come from Him. By doing so, believers can foster a spirit of gratitude and reliance on God's grace and provision.

The Tongue.
... Preached April 28, 1850. THE TONGUE. "Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/i the tongue.htm

Eighth Commandment
... defraud the storekeeper? "It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but
when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.". On the other ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/eighth commandment.htm

Provoking Each Other to Love and Good Works.
... "Love suffers long and is kind; love envieth not, boasteth not herself, is not puffed
up; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxiv provoking each other to.htm

James iii. 3-8
... listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.
Behold how great a matter [forest] a little fire kindleth! ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james iii 8-mar.htm

The Power of the Holy Ghost
... who so maketh the sea to boil like a pot, that one would think the deep were hoary;
as for Behemoth, who drinketh up Jordan at a draught, and boasteth that he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the power of the holy.htm

Wisdom Brevities
... taketh a city. * * *. It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: But when
he is gone his way, then he boasteth. * * *. The words ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/wisdom brevities.htm

The Mighty Man
... "Why boasteth thou thyself in mischief, O Mighty Man" (Psa.52:1). This is another
Psalm which is devoted to a description of this fearful character. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/8 the mighty man.htm

Of the Diverse Motions of Nature and of Grace
... 14. "Nature rejoiceth in many friends and kinsfolk, she boasteth of noble place
and noble birth, she smileth on the powerful, flattereth the rich, applaudeth ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter liv of the diverse.htm

Sins, However Great and Detestable, Seem Trivial when we are ...
... this go, that such sins are not only not concealed, but are boasted of, and published
far and wide; and thus, as it is written, "The wicked boasteth of his ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 80 sins however great and.htm

Psalm LXXXVI.
... that is, unto the humble, and him that confesseth, unto him that is in need of mercy:
not unto him that is full, who lifteth up himself and boasteth, as if he ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxvi.htm

Boasteth (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Boasteth (5 Occurrences). James 3:5 Even so the
tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold ...
/b/boasteth.htm - 7k

Gift (148 Occurrences)
... In the Revised Version (British and American) "gift" is substituted in the text
of Genesis 33:11 for blessing, margin Hebrew "blessing"; "boasteth himself of ...
/g/gift.htm - 59k

Boastful (18 Occurrences)

/b/boastful.htm - 11k

Vaunteth (2 Occurrences)
... WBS). Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, And the
covetous renounceth, yea , contemneth Jehovah. (See JPS). ...
/v/vaunteth.htm - 6k

Vapours (5 Occurrences)
... word: (KJV). Proverbs 25:14 As clouds and wind without rain,'so is he that
boasteth himself of his gifts falsely. (See JPS). Jeremiah ...
/v/vapours.htm - 7k

Kindled (83 Occurrences)
... cold. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). James 3:5 So the tongue also is
a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how ...
/k/kindled.htm - 34k

Kindleth (9 Occurrences)
... Kindleth (9 Occurrences). James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth
great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ...
/k/kindleth.htm - 9k

Kindle (25 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEY DBY NAS RSV). James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ...
/k/kindle.htm - 15k

Renounceth (2 Occurrences)
... disciple. (ASV). Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire,
And the covetous renounceth, 'yea', contemneth Jehovah. (ASV). ...
/r/renounceth.htm - 6k

Member (20 Occurrences)
... "So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things" (James 3:5).
"The members" is equivalent with "the body" (which see; compare Psalm 139:16 ...
/m/member.htm - 17k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus