The term "inflated" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept can be related to themes of pride, arrogance, and self-exaltation, which are addressed throughout Scripture. In a biblical context, being "inflated" often refers to having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities, which is contrary to the humility that God desires from His people.

Pride and Arrogance

The Bible frequently warns against pride and arrogance, which can be seen as forms of being "inflated." Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse highlights the danger of an inflated ego, suggesting that it leads to downfall and ruin. Similarly, Proverbs 18:12 says, "Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor."

New Testament Warnings

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of being "puffed up" or inflated with pride. In 1 Corinthians 4:6 , Paul writes, "Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another." Here, Paul warns against the dangers of elevating human leaders and becoming inflated with pride over them.

Paul further admonishes the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 5:2 , "And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this?" The context involves a case of immorality within the church, and Paul criticizes the Corinthians for their inflated sense of pride that prevented them from addressing sin appropriately.

Humility as a Virtue

The Bible consistently promotes humility as the antidote to an inflated sense of self. James 4:6 declares, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" Humility is presented as a virtue that aligns with God's character and receives His favor.

Jesus Himself exemplifies humility, as seen in Philippians 2:5-8 : "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross."

Spiritual Inflation

Spiritual inflation can also occur when individuals or groups believe they possess superior spiritual insight or status. The Pharisees in the Gospels are often depicted as spiritually inflated, believing themselves to be more righteous than others. Jesus rebukes them in Matthew 23:12 , saying, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Conclusion

While the term "inflated" is not explicitly used in Scripture, the concept is addressed through warnings against pride and exhortations to humility. The Bible consistently teaches that an inflated sense of self is contrary to God's will and leads to spiritual and moral peril.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Inflate.

2. (a.) Filled, as with air or gas; blown up; distended; as, a balloon inflated with gas.

3. (a.) Turgid; swelling; puffed up; bombastic; pompous; as, an inflated style.

4. (a.) Hollow and distended, as a perianth, corolla, nectary, or pericarp.

5. (a.) Distended or enlarged fictitiously; as, inflated prices, etc.

5448. phusioo -- to puff or blow up
... Word Origin from phusa (bellows) Definition to puff or blow up NASB Word Usage
arrogant (5), inflated (1), makes arrogant (1). puff up. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5448.htm - 7k

5012. tapeinophrosune -- lowliness of mind, humility
... others). This brings behavior into alignment with this inner revelation
to keep one from being (self-determining, self-inflated). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5012.htm - 7k

2916. krithinos -- of barley
... Suetonius speaks of a turgid rhetorician as a 'barley orator,' inflated like barley
in moisture: and Livy relates how cohorts which had lost their standards ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2916.htm - 7k

5450. phusiosis -- a puffing up
... Cognate: 5450 (from 5448 , "inflated, like an air-bellow") -- arrogance (negative
pride), fostering an ("a sense of ") and only used in 2 Cor 12:20. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5450.htm - 6k

If any Presbyter, Inflated against his Bishop, Makes a Schism...
... Canon XI. If any presbyter, inflated against his bishop, makes a schism? If any
presbyter, inflated against his bishop, makes a schism, let him be anathema. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xi if any presbyter.htm

The Same Subject Continued.
... "As if I be not about to come unto you, some are inflated. But I will come
with more speed, if the Lord shall have permitted, and ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xiv the same subject continued.htm

Against the Heresy of one Noetus.
... ago. [1605] This person was greatly puffed up and inflated with pride, being
inspired by the conceit of a strange spirit. He alleged ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/against the heresy of one.htm

Tatian
... But afterwards, inflated [2431] by a swelling of eloquence, he founded a new heresy
which is called that of the Encratites, the heresy which Severus afterwards ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xxix tatian.htm

He Charges Us, Moreover, with Introducing "A Man Formed by the ...
... the sense in which the expression was employed, states that "they composed a story
that a man was fashioned by the hands of God, and was inflated by breath ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxvii he charges us.htm

Examination of victor's Simile: Does Man Give Out Nothing by ...
... process"? It is very plain, my son, if ever you have inflated a bag, that
you did not carefully observe your own performance. For ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 5 examination of victors simile .htm

The Imperfection of Human Knowledge
... How does a muscle act? by being inflated, and consequently shortened? But what is
it inflated with? If whit blood, how and whence comes that blood? ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 69 the imperfection of.htm

For Though a Man Should be by no Means Greatly Advantaged by ...
... not the man who begins, but the man who finishes a speech; [85] and what is moderate
ought to approve itself to the mind, and not what is swollen and inflated. ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter vii for though a.htm

That the Devout Man Should Cleave to God with Naked Understanding ...
... always makes the soul humble, ready to judge itself and not others, while on the
contrary worldly wisdom makes the soul proud, futile, inflated and puffed up ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 6 that the devout.htm

All that Scripture Therefore, which is Called the Old Testament...
... but, were I to use circumlocution, I should be less free in treating: this only
I pray you to believe, that in whatever way I err, I am not inflated or swollen ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 5 all that scripture.htm

Inflated (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Filled, as with air or gas; blown up; distended; as, a balloon inflated
with gas. ... 5. (a.) Distended or enlarged fictitiously; as, inflated prices, etc. ...
/i/inflated.htm - 7k

Puff (1 Occurrence)
... 10. (n.) To swell with air; to be dilated or inflated. 11. (n.) To breathe in a
swelling, inflated, or pompous manner; hence, to assume importance. 12. ...
/p/puff.htm - 8k

Inflammation (6 Occurrences)

/i/inflammation.htm - 9k

Inflict (25 Occurrences)

/i/inflict.htm - 14k

Vain (141 Occurrences)
... Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having a high opinion of one's
own accomplishments with slight reason; conceited; puffed up; inflated. ...
/v/vain.htm - 36k

Novice (1 Occurrence)
... For these reasons he is peculiarly liable to instability, and to the other weaknesses
and sins connected with an inflated opinion of his own powers. ...
/n/novice.htm - 8k

Jotham (26 Occurrences)
... The latter, inflated by its unexpected dignity, pompously offers its "shade' to
its faithful subjects, while threatening all traitors with punishment (brambles ...
/j/jotham.htm - 25k

Flown (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. p) of the birds are flown. 2. (a.) Flushed, inflated.
3. (pp) of Fly. Multi-Version Concordance Flown (2 Occurrences). ...
/f/flown.htm - 7k

Float (4 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) Anything used to buoy up whatever is liable to sink; an inflated bag
or pillow used by persons learning to swim; a life preserver. ...
/f/float.htm - 10k

Blown (30 Occurrences)
... 1. (pp) of Blow. 2. (pp & a.) Swollen; inflated; distended; puffed up, as cattle
when gorged with green food which develops gas. 3. (pp & a.) Stale; worthless. ...
/b/blown.htm - 16k

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