Definition and Nature:
Boasting, in the biblical context, refers to the act of speaking with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities. It is often associated with arrogance and a lack of humility, which are contrary to the virtues encouraged in Scripture.

Biblical References and Teachings:
The Bible addresses the issue of boasting in various passages, highlighting its spiritual dangers and the importance of humility before God and others.

1. Proverbs on Boasting:
The Book of Proverbs frequently warns against the folly of pride and boasting. 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 virtue of letting others recognize one's accomplishments rather than self-promotion.

2. New Testament Warnings:
The New Testament continues this theme, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Romans 3:27 , Paul asks, "Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith." Here, Paul emphasizes that salvation and righteousness come through faith in Jesus Christ, not through human efforts or achievements, thus leaving no room for boasting.

3. Boasting in Weakness:
Interestingly, Paul also speaks of a different kind of boasting in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 , where he writes, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Here, Paul turns the concept of boasting on its head, finding strength and reason to boast in his reliance on Christ's power rather than his own.

4. James on Arrogant Boasting:
James 4:16 provides a stern warning against arrogant boasting: "As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil." This passage highlights the sinful nature of boasting that stems from prideful intentions and self-reliance, contrasting it with the humility that should characterize a believer's life.

5. Boasting in the Lord:
The Bible does, however, encourage a form of boasting that is centered on God. Jeremiah 9:23-24 states, "This is what the LORD says: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things,' declares the LORD." This passage directs believers to find their pride and confidence in their relationship with God and His attributes rather than in worldly accomplishments.

Theological Implications:
Boasting is often linked to the sin of pride, which is considered one of the seven deadly sins in Christian theology. It reflects a heart that is self-centered rather than God-centered. The biblical call is to humility, recognizing that all good things come from God and that human achievements are ultimately dependent on His grace and provision.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to cultivate humility and gratitude, acknowledging God's sovereignty and grace in all aspects of life. By focusing on God's work and character, Christians can redirect their boasting to glorify God rather than themselves, aligning with the biblical exhortation to "do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Boastings and Quarrels of the Philosophers.
... Chapter XXV."Boastings and Quarrels of the Philosophers. What great and
wonderful things have your philosophers effected? They ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xxv boastings and quarrels of.htm

Divine Destruction and Protection
... I might tell you of Rome, and all the boastings of that Imperial mistress, point
to her faded charms, and tell of her decay and her decadence. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/divine destruction and protection.htm

God's Will About the Future
... But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. ... Just for to-day.".
IV. And now, fourthly, BOASTINGS ABOUT THE FUTURE ARE EVIL. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/gods will about the future.htm

Tatian's Address to the Greeks
... Chapter XXIV.--Of the Other Public Amusements. Chapter XXV.--Boastings and Quarrels
of the Philosophers. Chapter XXVI.--Ridicule of the Studies of the Greeks. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tatian/tatians address to the greeks/

Tatian.
... and absurdities, 66. ridicule of, 66. boastings and quarrels, 75. Philosophy,
Grecian and Christian, compared, 77. Phoenicians, 80. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/tatian.htm

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Paul's Care and Prayer for the ...
... Nero. Did we not long ago tell you he would meet such fate? Presumably this
puts an end to his boastings over every other man.". 4 ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/sixteenth sunday after trinity pauls.htm

Love's Commendation
... "No big words of ready talkers,. No fine boastings will suffice; Broken hearts
and humble walkers,. These are dear in Jesus' eyes.". ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/loves commendation.htm

Rom. Ii. 17, 18
... So great was the unreasonableness of the Jews. Wherefore he also repeats
nearly the very words, which they used in their boastings. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily vi rom ii 17.htm

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day ...
... But there is another particular added to restrict that, "of to-morrow." Of all
boastings the most irrational and groundless is that which arises from ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vii boast not thyself.htm

Psalm XXXII.
... "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, nor is there guile in
his mouth" (ver.2): nor has he in his mouth boastings of righteousness, when ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxii.htm

Boastings (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Boastings (5 Occurrences). James 4:16 But now ye rejoice
in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. ... His boastings are nothing. ...
/b/boastings.htm - 7k

Boasts (18 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Job 11:3 Thy boastings have made men hold their peace, and thou
hast mocked, with none to make thee ashamed; (See NAS). ...
/b/boasts.htm - 11k

Ill-founded (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 16:6 We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud; even of his
arrogancy, and his pride, and his wrath; his boastings are nought. (See JPS). ...
/i/ill-founded.htm - 6k

Arrogancy (16 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 16:6 We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud; even of his
arrogancy, and his pride, and his wrath; his boastings are nought. (ASV JPS). ...
/a/arrogancy.htm - 11k

Boasting (42 Occurrences)

/b/boasting.htm - 18k

Orderly (8 Occurrences)
... down." (WEB ASV NAS). Job 41:12 Would I keep silence concerning his boastings,
or his proud talk, or his fair array of words? (See NAS). ...
/o/orderly.htm - 9k

Well-founded (1 Occurrence)
... Well-founded (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 48:30 I know his wrath, saith Jehovah, that
it is nought; his boastings have wrought nothing. (See JPS). ...
/w/well-founded.htm - 6k

Insolence (11 Occurrences)
... camest. (See NIV). Jeremiah 48:30 I know his wrath, says Yahweh, that it is
nothing; his boastings have worked nothing. (See RSV NIV). ...
/i/insolence.htm - 10k

Futile (12 Occurrences)
... shame. (See NAS). Jeremiah 48:30 I know his wrath, says Yahweh, that it is
nothing; his boastings have worked nothing. (See NAS NIV). ...
/f/futile.htm - 9k

Reduce (13 Occurrences)
... desolate. (See NAS). Job 11:3 Should your boastings make men hold their peace?
When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed? (See NIV). ...
/r/reduce.htm - 11k

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