Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6100 Aspects of sin  »  6121 boasting

Negatively, conceitedly praising oneself. Positively, trusting and exulting in who God is, and what he has done.

Boasting condemned

1 John 2:16 See also Psalm 10:2-6; Psalm 12:3-4; Psalm 52:1; Psalm 94:4; Habakkuk 1:10-11; Romans 1:29-30; 2 Timothy 3:1-2

Boasting exposed as folly

Proverbs 27:1 See also Judges 9:38-40; Proverbs 25:14; 1 Corinthians 3:18-23; James 4:13-16

Salvation by faith means no-one can boast about human merit

Ephesians 2:8-9 See also Luke 18:9-14; Romans 2:17-24; Romans 3:27; Romans 11:17-21; Galatians 6:14

Examples of foolish boasting

Isaiah 10:12-14 See also Isaiah 37:24-25; Daniel 4:28-30 Nebuchadnezzar; Daniel 7:8,11; Daniel 11:36; Acts 8:9-10 Simon the sorcerer; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 the antichrist; 2 Peter 2:17-18

Legitimate boasting

Boasting in God

Jeremiah 9:23-24 See also 1 Samuel 2:1-3; Psalm 34:2; Psalm 44:8; 1 Corinthians 1:27-31; Jeremiah 9:24; 2 Corinthians 10:7-18; Hebrews 3:6

Boasting in the results of ministry

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 See also Romans 15:17-19; 1 Corinthians 15:31; 2 Corinthians 8:24-9:3

Boasting in the conduct of ministry

2 Corinthians 1:12-14 See also 1 Corinthians 9:15; 2 Corinthians 11:7-12; 2 Timothy 3:10-11

See also

5173  outward appearance
5550  speech, negative
5575  talk, idle
5793  arrogance
5813  conceit
5813  conceit
5961  superiority
8710  atheism
8802  pride
8824  self-righteousness
9115  antichrist, the