In the biblical context, a "boaster" is someone who speaks with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about their achievements, possessions, or abilities. The Bible frequently addresses the issue of boasting, often highlighting it as a negative trait that is contrary to the humility and reliance on God that believers are called to exhibit.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides several insights into the nature and consequences of boasting. In the wisdom literature, boasting is often associated with folly and pride. Proverbs 27:1-2 advises, "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 underscores the unpredictability of life and the importance of humility.

The Psalms also address boasting, often in the context of the wicked. Psalm 10:3 states, "For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD." Here, boasting is linked with a rejection of God and a focus on selfish desires.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues to address the issue of boasting, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Romans 3:27 , Paul writes, "Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith." Paul emphasizes that salvation and righteousness come through faith in Jesus Christ, not through human effort or achievement, thus leaving no room for boasting.

In 1 Corinthians 1:31 , Paul further instructs, "Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'" This directive encourages believers to redirect any sense of pride or accomplishment towards glorifying God rather than themselves.

James 4:16 also warns against boasting, stating, "As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil." This passage highlights the sinful nature of boasting when it stems from arrogance and self-reliance.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, boasting is often seen as a manifestation of pride, which is considered one of the seven deadly sins. Pride leads individuals to elevate themselves above others and, more importantly, above God. The biblical narrative consistently calls for humility and a recognition of human dependence on divine grace.

Boasting is contrasted with the Christian virtues of humility and meekness. Jesus Himself exemplified humility, as seen in Philippians 2:5-8 , where Paul describes Christ's willingness to humble Himself and become obedient to death on a cross. Believers are encouraged to adopt this same mindset, recognizing that all good things come from God and that human achievements are ultimately gifts from Him.

Practical Application

In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to avoid boasting by cultivating a spirit of gratitude and humility. This involves acknowledging God's sovereignty and grace in all aspects of life. Believers are called to use their talents and resources for the glory of God and the service of others, rather than for self-promotion.

By focusing on God's work in their lives and the lives of others, Christians can resist the temptation to boast and instead foster a community marked by mutual encouragement and edification.1. (n.) One who boasts; a braggart.

2. (n.) A stone mason's broad-faced chisel.

213. alazon -- vagabond, hence an impostor, boaster
... vagabond, hence an impostor, boaster. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
alazon Phonetic Spelling: (al-ad-zone') Short Definition: a boaster ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/213.htm - 7k7294. Rahab -- "storm," a name for Eg.
... NASB Word Usage Rahab (2). Rahab. The same as rahab; Rahab (ie Boaster), an epithet
of Egypt -- Rahab. see HEBREW rahab. 7293, 7294. Rahab. 7295 . ...
/hebrew/7294.htm - 6k

Whether Boasting is Opposed to the virtue of Truth?
... himself; though sometimes a man takes to boasting, not from arrogance, but from
some kind of vanity, and delights therein, because he is a boaster by habit. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether boasting is opposed to.htm

2 Cor. x. 1, 2
... For since there were some amongst them who thought great things of themselves, and
set themselves above the Apostle, and accused him as a boaster, and as being ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxi 2 cor x.htm

Matt. xxvii. 27-29.
... passers by; and this was more grievous than all, that on the charge of being an
impostor and deceiver He suffered these things, and as a boaster, and vainly ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxvii matt xxvii 27-29.htm

What Lasts, and what Passes Away.
... clay. Here is the man who made such a noise in the parish, such a boaster,
so quarrelsome, so litigious, no one could come near him. ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lxii what lasts and what.htm

The Ignatian Epistles and their Claims. The Internal Evidence.
... Ignatius is still the same anti-evangelical formalist, the same puerile boaster,
the same dreaming mystic, and the same crazy fanatic. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the ignatian epistles.htm

2 Cor. I. 1, 4
... For there were even amongst them Jews who thought highly of themselves, and accused
Paul as being a boaster and worthy of no regard; whence also that speech of ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily i 2 cor i.htm

This Day are Opened, Our Mouths to Give Thanks
... From every boaster, He takes away his boasting, and gives it to His own grace. 3.
The sound of all mouths, is too little for Thy praise: for lo! ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn ii this day are.htm

God, Displeased with what had Been Done, Spoke to Samuel...
... Then the king promised a great reward and his daughter in marriage to any one who
should bring home the spoils of that boaster; but no one out of so great a ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxxiv god displeased with.htm

Now as Infinitely Absurd as this Conclusion Is, no one that ...
... neither has, nor ever can have a single farthing, but as it is freely given him
from charity, thereby declares himself to be a purse-proud vain boaster of his ...
/.../address 21 0 now as infinitely.htm

The Sophistry which He Employs to Prove Our Acknowledgment that He ...
... One would certainly answer to such a boaster that a trial in court is a very different
thing from a wine-contest, and that one who wins with the glass has ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 11 the sophistry which.htm

Boaster (3 Occurrences)
...Boaster (3 Occurrences). James 2:20 But, idle boaster, are you willing to be
taught how it is that faith apart from obedience is worthless? ...
/b/boaster.htm - 7k

Boasted (12 Occurrences)

/b/boasted.htm - 9k

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.". ...
/b/boast.htm - 33k

Understands (16 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 9:24 But -- in this let the boaster boast himself, In understanding and
knowing Me, For I 'am' Jehovah, doing kindness, Judgment, and righteousness ...
/u/understands.htm - 10k

Talker (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A loquacious person, male or female; a prattler; a babbler; also, a boaster;
a braggart; -- used in contempt or reproach. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/talker.htm - 7k

Terrify (27 Occurrences)
... and wilt thou pursue dry stubble? (DBY YLT). Job 15:24 Terrify him do adversity
and distress, They prevail over him As a king ready for a boaster. (YLT NAS RSV) ...
/t/terrify.htm - 13k

Boasters (6 Occurrences)

/b/boasters.htm - 8k

Boasts (18 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 9:24 But -- in this let the boaster boast himself, In understanding and
knowing Me, For I 'am' Jehovah, doing kindness, Judgment, and righteousness ...
/b/boasts.htm - 11k

Adversity (54 Occurrences)
... lips. (See NAS). Job 15:24 Terrify him do adversity and distress, They
prevail over him As a king ready for a boaster. (YLT). Job ...
/a/adversity.htm - 22k

Awful (20 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Worshipful; reverential; law-abiding. 5. (a.) Frightful; exceedingly bad;
great; -- applied intensively; as, an awful bonnet; an awful boaster. ...
/a/awful.htm - 12k

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