The Bible warns against self-glorification, vainglory, and pride, highlighting the importance of humility instead. This summary discusses the Bible’s message on boasting and self-promotion, its counsel on humility, the repercussions of boastful behavior, and ultimately, the importance of giving glory to God instead of oneself.
Who is Advised Against Boasting?
The Bible specifically advises followers against indulging in any form of boasting. It goes as far as incorporating several characters who embody this negative trait into its various narratives as cautionary tales. The downfall of these characters subsequently serves to underscore the detrimental consequences that boasting can have on one’s spiritual well-being and relationship with God.
What Does the Bible Teach About Boasting?
The Bible broadly discourages boasting. Noteworthy is that while the word ‘boasting’ often carries a negative connotation, the Bible differentiates between sinful boasting and righteous boasting. Self-boasting or bragging about one’s achievements, wealth, wisdom, or power is perceived as sinful boasting, as it stems from pride and self-glory. A negative view is taken to such boasting as it distracts from acknowledging God’s hand in providing these endowments. On the contrary, the Bible advocates for righteous boasting, which manifests as boasting about God’s love, kindness, justice, and righteousness. This form of boasting glorifies God, not oneself.
Where Else is Boasting Discussed in the Bible?
Boasting is a recurrent theme not only in the Old Testament but also in the New Testament of the Bible. It occurs as a topical sermon counseled by St. Paul, who himself was once boastful before his dramatic conversion. He centers his teachings on advising against boasting about worldly possessions while emphasizing the importance of finding joy and boasting about God’s grace and mercy. With a penitent heart, he aims to steer people towards humility and recognition of God’s magnanimity above all else.
Why Does the Bible Warn Against Boasting?
The Bible warns against boasting as it is seen as a manifestation of pride. Pride is regarded as the root cause of all sins in the Bible. Boasting often encourages the misplacement of value on worldly possessions and personal achievements, thereby diverting attention from God’s power, grace, and benevolence. The Bible sees boasting as an impedance to the formation of a genuine and humble relationship with God, making it a significant obstacle in one’s spiritual journey.
When Can Boasting be Perceived as Righteous?
The Bible acknowledges that boasting is not entirely negative. The act becomes righteous when the focus shifts from self to God. Boasting in the Bible becomes righteous when used to magnify and glorify God’s goodness, mercy, and love. One of the most central messages of the Bible is gratitude towards God, and when boasting is used to heighten the awareness and appreciation of God’s merciful nature, it turns into an act of righteousness.
How Should Followers Respond to Boasting?
The Bible advises followers to respond to boasting by redirecting the focus to God’s greatness and mercy instead of one’s own capabilities or achievements. The emphasis is placed on humility, as this virtue is celebrated in the Bible and seen as pleasing to God. A humble heart is encouraged in the Bible, as humility allows one to recognize their dependence on God, thereby fortifying their relationship with Him.
Below is the full list of bible verses on boasting (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Boasting
James 4:16
“16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”
Proverbs 27:2
“2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
Jeremiah 9:23
“23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:”
2 Timothy 3:1-5
“1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Related Themes: Manipulation Gossip Narcissism Pride
Proverbs 27:1
“1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
Related Themes: Procrastination Bragging Tomorrow Fortune
1 Corinthians 4:7
“7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”
Psalm 94:4
“4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?”
Related Themes: Arrogance
Ephesians 2:8
“8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Related Themes: Faith Grace Life Pride Repentance
2 Corinthians 11:30
“30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.”
James 3:5
“5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
Ephesians 2:8-9
“8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Related Themes: Faith Grace Life Pride Repentance
2 Corinthians 10:12-18
“12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.”
Related Themes: Pride Respect Self Respect Morality
1 Corinthians 1:31
“31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
Related Themes: Bragging
Proverbs 25:14
“14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24
“23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
Galatians 6:14
“14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Bragging Glorification
James 4:13-16
“13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Frustration Time Tomorrow Future
Isaiah 10:15
“15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Technology
Jeremiah 9:24
“24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
Philippians 2:3
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Respecting Your Parents
Psalm 34:2
“2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.”
Related Themes: Humility
Romans 12:3
“3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Romans 3:27
“27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”
Proverbs 11:2
“2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
“9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
1 John 2:16
“16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Romans 11:17-21
“17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”
Related Themes: Pride
1 Corinthians 13:4
“4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”
