Definition:
The term "aggrandize" refers to the act of increasing the power, status, or wealth of an individual or entity. In a biblical context, it often pertains to the elevation of one's own position or the glorification of God.

Biblical Context:
The concept of aggrandizement can be seen throughout the Bible, both in the context of human ambition and the rightful exaltation of God. While humans often seek to aggrandize themselves, Scripture consistently emphasizes the importance of humility and the dangers of pride.

Human Ambition:
The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who sought to aggrandize themselves, often leading to their downfall. One notable example is the Tower of Babel, where humanity attempted to build a tower to reach the heavens and make a name for themselves. Genesis 11:4 states, "And they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.'" This act of self-aggrandizement resulted in God confusing their language and scattering them across the earth (Genesis 11:7-8).

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is another example. In Daniel 4:30 , he boasts, "Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" His pride leads to his temporary downfall, as God humbles him by driving him away from human society until he acknowledges God's sovereignty (Daniel 4:31-32).

Exaltation of God:
In contrast to human self-aggrandizement, the Bible calls for the exaltation of God. Believers are encouraged to glorify God in all things, recognizing His supreme authority and majesty. Psalm 34:3 invites, "Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together." This call to aggrandize God is a central theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing that true greatness belongs to Him alone.

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus teaching His followers to seek God's kingdom and righteousness above all else (Matthew 6:33). The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in 1 Corinthians 10:31 , "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God."

Warnings Against Self-Aggrandizement:
The Bible warns against the dangers of pride and self-aggrandizement. Proverbs 16:18 cautions, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." James 4:6 reminds believers, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"

Conclusion:
While the desire to aggrandize oneself is a common human inclination, Scripture consistently teaches that true honor and glory belong to God. Believers are called to live humbly, recognizing that any elevation of status or power should ultimately serve to glorify God and advance His kingdom.1. (v. t.) To make appear greater; to increase; as, to aggrandize one's authority, distress.

2. (v. t.) To make great or greater in power, rank, honor, or wealth; -- applied to persons, countries, etc.

3. (v. t.) To make appear great or greater; to exalt.

4. (v. i.) To increase or become great.

Let no one Deceive Himself, nor Put Forward the Pretext of Having ...
... found such property. For it is not lawful, even for a man who has found
anything, to aggrandize himself by it. For Deuteronomy says ...
/.../thaumaturgus/canonical epistle of gregory thaumaturgus/canon iv let no one.htm

Knowledge. Worship. Gratitude.
... Accursed is that man who heaps to himself knowledge till he becomes wise as Solomon,
and then prostitutes it to base ends by using it to aggrandize his wealth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/knowledge worship gratitude.htm

Behold, did not Achar the Son of Zara Transgress in the Accursed ...
... But he took what belonged to enemies; while these now take what belongs to brethren,
and aggrandize themselves with fatal gains. Footnotes: ...
/.../canonical epistle of gregory thaumaturgus/canon iii behold did not.htm

Christian Morals. Part iii.
... honours God, who imitates him; for what we virtuously imitate we approve and admire:
and since we delight not to imitate inferiors, we aggrandize and magnify ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part iii.htm

To the Right Hon. Henry Pelham, First Lord Commissioner of the ...
... Lorenzo, these are thoughts that make man Man, 110. The wise illumine,
aggrandize the great. ... Can place or lessen us, or aggrandize? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/to the right hon henry.htm

Answer to Mr. W's First Objection.
... This Mr. W. charges them with: To aggrandize the fame of their Master, as a worker
of miracles, he says, was the design of all the Evangelists, especially of ...
/.../section 1 answer to mr.htm

On the Holy Spirit
... he should frame a new world to himself in theory; sometimes by warm imaginations,
and sometimes by cool reasonings, endeavour to aggrandize his condition and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 141 on the holy.htm

[Greek: En Toyto Nika]
... And let us remember this, that whenever we fancy ourselves to be strong and powerful,
and think to aggrandize ourselves at our neighbour's expense, and to ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxiv greek en toyto.htm

Introductory Notice to the Decretals.
... Could it possibly happen that the Popes, to whom these epistles are so very favourable,
would never have cited and alleged them to aggrandize their own ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/introductory notice to the decretals.htm

Jews.
... these imaginary potentates, from the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, the
Jews have ever been strenuous in maintaining, partly to aggrandize their nation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/jews.htm

Aggrandize (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To make appear greater; to increase; as, to
aggrandize one's authority, distress. ...Aggrandize (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/aggrandize.htm - 7k

Unbecomingly (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Corinthians 13:5 She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize herself,
nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. (WEY NAS). ...
/u/unbecomingly.htm - 6k

Wrongs (26 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Corinthians 13:5 She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize
herself, nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. (WEY NIV). ...
/w/wrongs.htm - 13k

Passionate (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:5 She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize herself,
nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. (WEY). ...
/p/passionate.htm - 8k

Blaze (9 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Corinthians 13:5 She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize
herself, nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. (WEY). ...
/b/blaze.htm - 10k

Brood (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:5 She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize herself,
nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. (WEY). ...
/b/brood.htm - 13k

Aggravated (1 Occurrence)

/a/aggravated.htm - 6k

Aggaeus

/a/aggaeus.htm - 6k

Herself (121 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:5 She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize herself,
nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. (WEY). ...
/h/herself.htm - 36k

Anger (387 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 13:5 She does not behave unbecomingly, nor seek to aggrandize herself,
nor blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs. (WEY NIV). ...
/a/anger.htm - 54k

Aggrandize: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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