Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:The term "boastful" refers to an attitude or behavior characterized by excessive pride and self-glorification. In the biblical context, boasting is often associated with arrogance and a lack of humility before God. It is considered a sin because it elevates the self above others and, more importantly, above God.
Biblical References:1.
Old Testament:·
Proverbs 27:1-2 : "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips." This passage warns against self-praise and presumption about the future, emphasizing the unpredictability of life and the importance of humility.
·
Psalm 10:3 : "For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD." Here, boasting is linked with wickedness and a heart that is not aligned with God's will.
2.
New Testament:·
James 4:16 : "As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil." James condemns boasting as evil, particularly when it stems from prideful intentions and self-reliance rather than dependence on God.
·
1 Corinthians 1:31 : "Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'" This verse redirects the focus of boasting from self to God, encouraging believers to find their worth and pride in their relationship with the Lord rather than in personal achievements.
Theological Implications:Boasting is often seen as a manifestation of pride, which is one of the seven deadly sins. It reflects a heart that is not fully submitted to God and His sovereignty. The Bible consistently teaches that all good things come from God, and thus, any boasting should be directed towards His glory and not one's own accomplishments.
Moral and Ethical Considerations:From a moral standpoint, boasting is discouraged because it can lead to division, envy, and strife among individuals. It undermines the Christian virtues of humility, gratitude, and love. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently admonishes believers to live in humility and to consider others better than themselves (
Philippians 2:3).
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of humility and gratitude, recognizing that all talents, successes, and blessings are gifts from God. Instead of boasting in personal achievements, Christians are called to boast in the Lord, acknowledging His work in their lives and giving Him the glory for all things.
Contrast with Godly Boasting:While human boasting is condemned, the Bible does make a distinction for boasting in the Lord. This form of boasting is not about self-exaltation but about exalting God and His deeds. It is an expression of faith and trust in God's power and goodness, as seen in passages like
Jeremiah 9:23-24 : "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."
Conclusion:The Bible's teaching on boastfulness serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and the recognition of God's sovereignty in all aspects of life. By redirecting any inclination to boast towards God, believers can maintain a proper perspective on their achievements and their relationship with the Creator.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Given to, or full of, boasting; inclined to boast; vaunting; vainglorious; self-praising.
Greek
2755. kenodoxos -- vainglorious... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: kenodoxos Phonetic Spelling:
(ken-od'-ox-os) Short Definition: vainglorious Definition: vainglorious,
boastful.
...5246. huperogkos -- of excessive weight or size
... size. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: huperogkos Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-er'-ong-kos) Short Definition: immoderate,boastful Definition: immoderate...
213. alazon -- vagabond, hence an impostor, boaster
... it.]. Word Origin from ale (wandering) Definition vagabond, hence an impostor,
boaster NASB Word Usageboastful (2). boaster. From...
212. alazoneia -- boastfulness
... etc.). Word Origin from alazon Definition boastfulness NASB Word Usage arrogance
(1),boastful pride (1). boasting, pride, arrogance....
Strong's Hebrew
1984b. halal -- to beboastful, to praise... 1984a, 1984b. halal. 1985 . to be
boastful, to praise. Transliteration:
halal Short Definition: praise. Word Origin a prim. root
...7229. rab -- great
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to rab Definition great NASB Word Usageboastful
(1), captain (1), chief (3), great (15), large (2), larger (1)....
6286. paar -- to beautify, glorify
... root Definition to beautify, glorify NASB Word Usage adorn (1), beautify (2), become
boastful (1), boast (1), glorified (4), glorify (1), honor (1), show my...
Library
O, Death, be not ThouBoastful, Over the Just
... Hymn LXVIII. O, Death, be not thouboastful, over the just. 1. Man., O,
Death, be not thouboastful, over the just: the sons of thy...
But Now, Since My Pleading Has Steered Its Course Out of These...
... wound with the point of my pen some Luscius Lanuvinus or an Asinius Pollio of the
race of the Cornelii, if I repel the attacks of a man ofboastful and curious...
On Sandals and Simplicity
... The great misfortune of the modern English is not at all that they are moreboastful
than other people (they are not); it is that they areboastful about those...
Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the...
... [While the testimony then before the court might be used to show that Jesus was
recklesslyboastful, it was insufficient to justify a sentence of blasphemy....
Letter vi. To Salvius: a Complaint that the Country People were...
... In like manner, let it delight theboastful soldier after his term of service is
completed, to hang up his trophies, and patiently to bear the burden of age....
Christ the Bread of Life.
... vitality. He goes forth to his workboastful of his strength.... strength? How long
can he live on theboastful supply of his physical manhood?...
On the Different Functions of Modesty. ...
... [120] He desires that this should be first, and, as it were, lead the way of prayers
to come, so that the sinner's prayer may not beboastful, but veiled, as...
But we must Follow Our Preacher, who Can Only Turn Away with...
... march of the present generation with the next that shall follow it; yea, there is
no end of the succession of surging generations, eachboastful of itself, and...
The Fig-Tree.
... Graphic picture ofboastful and vaunting Israel!... Fig-trees were they, too"naked stems,
fruitless and leafless; but then they made noboastful pretensions....
Deliverance from Assyria
... Theboastful Assyrian, while used by God for a season as the rod of His anger
for the punishment of the nations, was not always to prevail....
Thesaurus
Boastful (18 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Boastful (18 Occurrences).
... Love knows neither envy nor
jealousy. Love is not forward and self-assertive, nor
boastful and conceited.
...Glorious (91 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Eager for glory or distinction; haughty;boastful; ostentatious;
vainglorious. 3. (n.) Ecstatic; hilarious; elated with drink. Int....
Parents (27 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty,boastful, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV...
Arrogant (60 Occurrences)
... Arrogant (60 Occurrences). Romans 1:30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty,
boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (See NAS NIV)....
Haughty (35 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY). Romans 1:30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty,boastful,
inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (WEB WEY ASV RSV)....
Disobedient (30 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty,boastful, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Boast (86 Occurrences)
... Boaster (alazon, "a braggart") occurs in the King James Version (Romans 1:30 2 Timothy
3:2); the Revised Version (British and American) has "boastful."....
Boastfully (6 Occurrences)
Vainglorious (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Feeling or indicating vainglory; elated by vanity;
boastful. Multi-Version Concordance Vainglorious (1 Occurrence)....
Ungrateful (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:2 for men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money,boastful, arrogant,
evil speakers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, profane, (DBY NAS RSV NIV...
Resources
What is the little horn in the book of Daniel? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Sennacherib in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the super-apostles Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:5? | GotQuestions.orgBoastful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
