Topical Encyclopedia
Definition:Conceit, in a biblical context, refers to an excessive appreciation of one's own worth or virtue. It is often associated with pride and self-centeredness, which are contrary to the humility and selflessness encouraged in Scripture.
Biblical References:The Bible addresses the issue of conceit in various passages, warning against the dangers of pride and self-exaltation.
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Proverbs 26:12 : "Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." This verse highlights the folly of being conceited, suggesting that self-perceived wisdom can lead to greater folly than that of a fool.
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Romans 12:3 : "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you." Here, the Apostle Paul advises believers to maintain a humble and realistic view of themselves, recognizing that their abilities and worth are gifts from God.
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Philippians 2:3 : "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." This passage encourages believers to act with humility and to prioritize the needs and interests of others over their own.
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Galatians 6:3 : "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." This verse warns against self-deception and the dangers of overestimating one's own importance.
Theological Insights:Conceit is often linked to the sin of pride, which is considered one of the seven deadly sins in Christian theology. Pride is seen as the root of many other sins, as it leads individuals to place themselves above God and others. The Bible consistently calls for humility, recognizing that all good things come from God and that human beings are dependent on His grace.
Practical Implications:Believers are encouraged to cultivate humility by acknowledging their limitations and relying on God's strength. This involves a conscious effort to serve others, seek God's will, and give Him glory for any accomplishments. The Christian community is called to support one another in this pursuit, fostering an environment where humility is valued and conceit is gently corrected.
Historical Context:Throughout church history, conceit has been a topic of concern among theologians and church leaders. The early church fathers, such as Augustine, wrote extensively on the dangers of pride and the importance of humility. The monastic tradition also emphasized humility as a key virtue, with many monastic rules including specific practices to combat pride and conceit.
Conclusion:While the Bible acknowledges the human tendency toward conceit, it provides clear guidance for overcoming this inclination through humility, service, and a proper understanding of one's relationship with God and others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Endowed with fancy or imagination.
2. (a.) Entertaining a flattering opinion of one's self; vain.
3. (a.) Curiously contrived or designed; fanciful.
Greek
5187. tuphoo -- to beconceited, foolish... to be
conceited, foolish. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: tuphoo Phonetic
Spelling: (toof-o'-o) Short Definition: I puff up, make haughty Definition: I
...2755. kenodoxos -- vainglorious
...conceited, boastful. From kenos and doxa; vainly glorifying, ie Self-conceited --
desirous of vain-glory. see GREEK kenos. see GREEK doxa....
5429. phronimos -- practically wise, sensible
... character; while sophos denotes practical skill or acumen; and sunetos indicates
rather intelligence or mental acquirement); in a bad senseconceited (also in...
5426. phroneo -- to have understanding, to think
... Word Origin from phren Definition to have understanding, to think NASB Word Usage
adopt...view (1),conceited* (1), concern (1), concerned (1), feel (1), have...
5309. hupselophroneo -- to be high-minded
... 5309 () only occurs in 1 Tim 6:17. Word Origin from hupselos and phroneo Definition
to be high-minded NASB Word Usageconceited (1). be proud, high-minded....
5308. hupselos -- high, lofty
... Word Origin from hupsos Definition high, lofty NASB Word Usageconceited* (1), exalted
(1), haughty (1), high (6), highly esteemed (1), uplifted (1). high....
Library
The Sin of Omission.
... This young man, though a moralist, was not a self-satisfied or a self-conceited
one.... But he was not aconceited and presumptuous Pharisee....
The Silence of Faith.
... Only the shallow and theconceited are unaware of their presence. Only
the shallow and theconceited pretend to explain them, and...
The Eternal Goodness
... His own righteousness was the selfish and self-conceited righteousness which he
had before his conversion, made up of forms, and ceremonies, and doctrines...
Recommendation.
... But that it should be only conceived andconceited as an elevation of nature to
a more clear light, in the matter of morality, wherein our Lord is only...
Revival in the Home
... "Love vaunteth not itself (does not boast) is not puffed up (is notconceited)."....
How "puffed up," that is,conceited, we so often are!...
Confusion.
... And next, and worst of all, self-conceited people. These are they of whom Solomon
says, "Seest thou a man who is wise in his own conceit?...
Felicitous Phrases
... compact, determinate, and engaging.conceited, commonplace, and uninspiring.... pert,
smirking, andconceited. pervading, searching, and saturating....
True Prudence
... No, my friends, the people who have real reason to be afraid are just those who
are not afraid"the self-conceited, self-satisfied souls; for the devil...
The Seven Champions of Christendom
... What the simple say I care not; what the spightful speak I pass not; only the censure
of theconceited I stand unto; that is the mark I aym at; whose good...
The Negative Side
... We cherish the hope that few who have read the above paragraphs are soconceited
as to suppose they have no need to examine or re-examine what the Scriptures...
Thesaurus
Conceited (14 Occurrences)... 3. (a.) Curiously contrived or designed; fanciful. Multi-Version Concordance
Conceited (14 Occurrences).
... Don't be
conceited, but fear; (WEB NAS).
...Conceit (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 6:4 he isconceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes,
and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions...
Boastful (18 Occurrences)
... Love is not forward and self-assertive, nor boastful andconceited.... Galatians 5:26
Let's not becomeconceited, provoking one another, and envying one another....
Arrogant (60 Occurrences)
... Don't beconceited, but fear; (See NIV).... Psalms 101:5 I will silence whoever secretly
slanders his neighbor. I won't tolerate one who is haughty andconceited....
Envy (56 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Galatians 5:26 Let's not become
conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another....
Quite (55 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Romans 11:20 True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you
stand by your faith. Don't beconceited, but fear; (See NAS)....
Vain (141 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having a high opinion
of one's own accomplishments with slight reason;conceited; puffed up...
Understands (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 6:4 he isconceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes,
and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions...
Unbelief (16 Occurrences)
... Romans 11:20 True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your
faith. Don't beconceited, but fear; (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Upsetting (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.)Conceited; assuming; as, an upsetting fellow.
Multi-Version Concordance Upsetting (3 Occurrences)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about conceit / being conceited? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (Philippians 2:3)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is false doctrine? | GotQuestions.orgConceited: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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