Topical Bible: Boasting

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Topical Encyclopedia

Boasting, in the biblical context, refers to the act of speaking with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities. The Bible addresses boasting in various passages, often highlighting its spiritual implications and the attitude of the heart.

Old Testament Insights

In the Old Testament, boasting is frequently associated with pride and arrogance, which are seen as contrary to the humility that God desires. The prophet Jeremiah warns against boasting in human wisdom, strength, or riches, urging instead to boast in understanding and knowing the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving devotion, justice, and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things, declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

The Psalms also reflect on the futility of boasting in material wealth or power. Psalm 49:6-7 cautions, "They trust in their wealth and boast in great riches. No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God."

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to address the issue of boasting, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In his letters, Paul often contrasts boasting in human accomplishments with boasting in the Lord. In 1 Corinthians 1:31, he writes, "Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'" This echoes the Old Testament teaching that true boasting should be centered on God's character and deeds rather than human achievements.

Paul further elaborates on this theme in his letter to the Galatians, where he emphasizes boasting in the cross of Christ: "But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14). Here, Paul underscores that the only legitimate ground for boasting is the redemptive work of Christ, which brings salvation and transformation.

Warnings Against Boasting

James, the brother of Jesus, provides a stern warning against arrogant boasting about future plans, reminding believers of the uncertainty of life and the need to submit to God's will: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil" (James 4:13-16).

Boasting in Weakness

Interestingly, Paul also speaks of boasting in his weaknesses, as a way to highlight God's power and grace. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, he writes, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on boasting is clear: it is not the self-exaltation of human achievements that is commendable, but rather the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, grace, and power. Believers are encouraged to boast in the Lord and His works, recognizing that all good things come from Him and that true strength is found in reliance on His grace.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Boast.

2. (n.) The act of glorying or vaunting; vainglorious speaking; ostentatious display.

Greek

2746. kauchesis -- a boasting
... a boasting. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kauchesis Phonetic Spelling:
(kow'-khay-sis) Short Definition: the act of boasting, exultation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2746.htm - 6k

2746a. kauchesis -- a boasting
... 2746, 2746a. kauchesis. 2746b . a boasting. Transliteration: kauchesis Short
Definition: boasting. Word Origin from kauchaomai Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2746a.htm - 5k

2745. kauchema -- a boast
... a boast. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: kauchema Phonetic Spelling:
(kow'-khay-mah) Short Definition: a boasting Definition: a boasting; a ground ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2745.htm - 7k

212. alazoneia -- boastfulness
... boastfulness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: alazoneia Phonetic
Spelling: (al-ad-zon-i'-a) Short Definition: boasting, show, arrogant display ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/212.htm - 7k

213. alazon -- vagabond, hence an impostor, boaster
... Cognate: 213 (a masculine noun) -- properly, a wandering vagrant (vagabond),
boasting to anyone who is foolish enough to take him seriously! ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/213.htm - 7k

850a. aucheo -- to boast
... to boast. Transliteration: aucheo Short Definition: boasts. Word Origin from auche
(boasting) Definition to boast NASB Word Usage boasts (1). 850, 850a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/850a.htm - 5k

2755. kenodoxos -- vainglorious
... 2755 (from 2756 , "empty" and 1391 , "glory") -- properly, empty glory, ie driven
by personal " of grandeur"; "groundless conceit" (); boasting "where there is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2755.htm - 7k

2620. katakauchaomai -- to exult over
... 2744 , "boast, speak loudly") -- properly, boast , over-exalting one thing of another
which results in -- ie that unjustifiably grade by boasting with a sense ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2620.htm - 7k

2744. kauchaomai -- to boast
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition to boast NASB Word Usage boast (24),
boasted (1), boasting (3), boasts (2), exult (3), glory (2), take pride (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2744.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew

6350. pachazuth -- recklessness, extravagance
... 6349, 6350. pachazuth. 6351 . recklessness, extravagance. Transliteration:
pachazuth Phonetic Spelling: (pakh-az-ooth') Short Definition: boasting. ...
/hebrew/6350.htm - 6k

6310. peh -- mouth
... NASB Word Usage accord (1), accordance (1), accordance* (1), accorded (1), according
(9), according* (2), apt (1), beak (2), boast* (1), boasting (1), collar (1 ...
/hebrew/6310.htm - 7k

3513. kabad -- to be heavy, weighty, or burdensome
... Definition to be heavy, weighty, or burdensome NASB Word Usage abounding (1), achieve
honor (1), became fierce (1), became heavy (1), boasting (1), burdensome ...
/hebrew/3513.htm - 7k

Library

Whether Boasting is Opposed to the virtue of Truth?
... OF BOASTING (TWO ARTICLES) Whether boasting is opposed to the virtue of truth?
Objection 1: It seems that boasting is not opposed to the virtue of truth. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether boasting is opposed to.htm

Whether Boasting is a Mortal Sin?
... OF BOASTING (TWO ARTICLES) Whether boasting is a mortal sin? Objection 1: It seems
that boasting is a mortal sin. ... Therefore boasting is a mortal sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether boasting is a mortal.htm

Of Boasting (Two Articles)
... OF BOASTING (TWO ARTICLES). We must now consider boasting and irony, which
are parts of lying according to the Philosopher (Ethic. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of boasting two articles .htm

The Exclusion of Boasting.
... A Treatise on the spirit and the letter, Chapter 17."The Exclusion of Boasting.
Accordingly he says, "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 17 the exclusion of boasting.htm

Election Excludes Boasting, 1 Cor. 1 26-31.
... Hymns. Book 1. Hymn 1:96. Election excludes boasting, 1 Cor. 1. 26-31. 1
But few among the carnal wise, But few of noble race, Obtain ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 108333333 election excludes boasting.htm

Election Excludes Boasting. 1 Cor. 1:26-31.
... HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS IN THREE BOOKS. HYMN 96 Election excludes boasting.
1 Cor. 1:26-31. CM Election excludes boasting.1 Cor.1:26-31. ...
/.../the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 96 election excludes boasting.htm

Of Boasting.
... Section IX. Of Boasting. ... 5. But this Boasting, arrogant humor, though always bad,
yet is more or less so according to the Subject on which it works. ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section ix of boasting.htm

Whether Irony is a Less Grievous Sin than Boasting?
... the signification of the Greek {eironia}, whence it is derived: dissimulation of
one's own good points.] Whether irony is a less grievous sin than boasting? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether irony is a less.htm

How Far Christians Ought to be from Boasting, if they have done ...
... Book V. Chapter 18."How Far Christians Ought to Be from Boasting, If They Have Done
Anything for the Love of the Eternal Country, When the Romans Did Such ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 18 how far christians ought.htm

If, Then, You Really Intend to do an Act of Repentance for those ...
... of Didymus the seer, that he had Didymus as his initiator, that is, his preceptor
in the holy Scriptures; and the material for all this boasting was acquired ...
/.../11 if then you really.htm

Thesaurus

Boasting (42 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Boasting (42 Occurrences). ... (KJV WBS). Romans 1:22 While
boasting of their wisdom they became utter fools, (WEY). ...
/b/boasting.htm - 18k

Boast (86 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) Act of boasting; vaunting or bragging. 9. (n.) The cause of boasting; occasion
of pride or exultation, -- sometimes of laudable pride or exultation. ...
/b/boast.htm - 33k

Brag (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A boast or boasting; bragging; ostentatious pretense or self glorification. ...
6. (vi) Brisk; full of spirits; boasting; pretentious; conceited. ...
/b/brag.htm - 8k

Proud (96 Occurrences)
... Don't be wise in your own conceits. (See NIV). Romans 15:17 I have therefore my
boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God. (See RSV). ...
/p/proud.htm - 33k

Sphere (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:13 We, however, will not exceed due limits in our boasting, but
will keep within the limits of the sphere which God has assigned to us as a ...
/s/sphere.htm - 8k

Behalf (140 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 5:12 For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as
giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to ...
/b/behalf.htm - 37k

Nobody (21 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Corinthians 11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop
me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. (See NIV). ...
/n/nobody.htm - 12k

Boastful (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Given to, or full of, boasting; inclined to boast;
vaunting; vainglorious; self-praising. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/b/boastful.htm - 11k

Arrogance (30 Occurrences)
... riots; (See NAS NIV). James 4:16 But now you glory in your boasting. All
such boasting is evil. (See NAS RSV). Leviticus 26:19 and ...
/a/arrogance.htm - 15k

Sincerity (17 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that
in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of ...
/s/sincerity.htm - 14k

Resources

What does it mean to boast in the Lord? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that love does not boast (1 Corinthians 13:4)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Lo Debar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Boasting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Boasting (42 Occurrences)

Acts 5:36
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
(KJV WBS)

Romans 1:22
While boasting of their wisdom they became utter fools,
(WEY)

Romans 3:27
Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what manner of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
(WEB KJV WEY DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Romans 5:11
And not only 'so', but we are also boasting in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom now we did receive the reconciliation;
(YLT)

Romans 15:17
I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
(WEB YLT NAS)

1 Corinthians 1:29
to prevent any mortal man from boasting in the presence of God.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 5:6
Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump?
(WEB WEY DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 9:15
But I have used none of these things, and I don't write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.
(WEB RSV)

1 Corinthians 9:16
If I go on preaching the Good News, that is nothing for me to boast of; for the necessity is imposed upon me; and alas for me, if I fail to preach it!
(See RSV)

1 Corinthians 15:31
I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
(WEB DBY NAS)

2 Corinthians 1:12
For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
(WEB WEY DBY)

2 Corinthians 1:14
as also you acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
(WEB WEY)

2 Corinthians 5:12
For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart.
(WEB WEY DBY)

2 Corinthians 7:4
Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction.
(WEB NAS)

2 Corinthians 7:14
For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
(KJV WEY DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 8:24
Therefore show the proof of your love to them in front of the assemblies, and of our boasting on your behalf.
(WEB KJV WEY DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

2 Corinthians 9:2
for I have known your readiness of mind, which in your behalf I boast of to Macedonians, that Achaia hath been prepared a year ago, and the zeal of you did stir up the more part,
(See NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:3
But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,
(WEB KJV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:4
so that I won't by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident boasting.
(WEB KJV WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 10:13
We, however, will not exceed due limits in our boasting, but will keep within the limits of the sphere which God has assigned to us as a limit, which reaches even to you.
(WEY NIV)

2 Corinthians 10:15
not boasting beyond proper limits in other men's labors, but having hope that as your faith grows, we will be abundantly enlarged by you in our sphere of influence,
(WEB KJV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

2 Corinthians 10:16
and shall tell the Good News in the districts beyond you, not boasting in another man's sphere about work already done by him.
(WEY DBY RSV)

2 Corinthians 10:17
and he who is boasting -- in the Lord let him boast;
(YLT)

2 Corinthians 11:1
I wish you could have borne with a little foolish boasting on my part. Nay, do bear with me.
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 11:10
As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
(WEB KJV WEY DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

2 Corinthians 11:12
and what I do, I also will do, that I may cut off the occasion of those wishing an occasion, that in that which they boast they may be found according as we also;
(See NAS)

2 Corinthians 11:16
Again I say, may no one think me to be a fool; and if otherwise, even as a fool receive me, that I also a little may boast.
(See NIV)

2 Corinthians 11:17
That which I speak, I don't speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.
(WEB KJV WEY DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:1
To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
(See NAS NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:11
I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.
(WEB YLT)

Galatians 6:4
But let every man scrutinize his own conduct, and then he will find out, not with reference to another but with reference to himself, what he has to boast of.
(See NAS)

Philippians 1:26
that your boasting may abound in Christ Jesus through me by my presence again with you.
(DBY YLT)

1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? are not ye also before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
(DBY RSV)

James 4:16
But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil.
(WEB KJV WEY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn't the Father's, but is the world's.
(See NIV)

Judges 9:38
Then Zebul said to him, "Now where is your mouth, that you said,'Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?' Isn't this the people that you have despised? Go out now, please, and fight with them."
(See NAS)

2 Chronicles 25:19
Thou hast said, Lo, I have smitten Edom; and thy heart hath lifted thee up to boast; now, abide in thy house, why dost thou stir thyself up in evil, that thou hast fallen, thou, and Judah with thee?'
(See NAS)

Psalms 94:4
They utter -- they speak an old saw, All working iniquity do boast themselves.
(See NIV)

Psalms 97:7
Ashamed are all servants of a graven image, Those boasting themselves in idols, Bow yourselves to him, all ye gods.
(YLT)

Proverbs 25:14
Clouds and wind, and rain there is none, 'Is' a man boasting himself in a false gift.
(YLT)

Isaiah 10:12
For this cause it will be that, when the purpose of the Lord against Mount Zion and Jerusalem is complete, I will send punishment on the pride of the heart of the king of Assyria, and on the glory of his uplifted eyes.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 23:32
Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, says Yahweh, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I didn't send them, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, says Yahweh.
(WEB ASV DBY NAS)

Subtopics

Boasting

Boasting of Evil

Boasting: Ben-Hadad

Boasting: General Scriptures Concerning

Boasting: Goliath

Boasting: Sennacherib

Boasting: Spiritual

Boasting: The Disciples

Related Terms

Boast (86 Occurrences)

Brag (6 Occurrences)