Ostentation refers to the excessive display of wealth, knowledge, or abilities, often with the intent to attract attention or admiration. In the biblical context, ostentation is generally viewed negatively, as it reflects a focus on self-glorification rather than glorifying God. The Bible warns against such behavior, emphasizing humility and sincerity in one's actions and faith.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 6:1-4 : Jesus addresses the issue of ostentation in the Sermon on the Mount, cautioning against performing righteous acts for the sake of being seen by others. He states, "Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

2. Matthew 23:5 : Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their ostentatious behavior, saying, "All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels." This highlights the Pharisees' focus on outward appearances and public recognition rather than genuine devotion to God.

3. 1 Peter 3:3-4 : The apostle Peter advises against outward adornment as a means of ostentation, encouraging believers to focus on inner beauty: "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight."

4. Proverbs 27:2 : The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also speaks against self-promotion: "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips." This proverb underscores the value of humility and the dangers of self-aggrandizement.

Theological Implications:

Ostentation is often linked to pride, a sin that is consistently condemned throughout Scripture. Pride leads individuals to seek validation and approval from others rather than from God. The Bible teaches that true worth and identity are found in one's relationship with God, not in the approval of others or in material possessions.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to practice humility and to serve others without seeking recognition. Acts of charity, prayer, and worship should be conducted with a sincere heart, aiming to honor God rather than to gain human accolades. By focusing on inner spiritual growth and the development of a Christ-like character, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of ostentation and live lives that reflect the glory of God.1. (n.) Making an unnecessary show or pretentious display to impress others; -- usually in a detractive sense.

2. (n.) A show or spectacle.

212. alazoneia -- boastfulness
... Spelling: (al-ad-zon-i'-a) Short Definition: boasting, show, arrogant display
Definition: boasting, show, arrogant display, ostentation; plur: occasions of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/212.htm - 7k

But Let us Look at what Celsus Next with Great Ostentation ...
... Chapter XIV. But let us look at what Celsus next with great ostentation
announces in the following? But let us look at what Celsus ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xiv but let us.htm

Whether There Can be virtue and vice in Connection with Outward ...
... in Monte ii, 12) that "not only the glare and pomp of outward things, but even dirt
and the weeds of mourning may be a subject of ostentation, all the more ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be virtue.htm

Whether it is Lawful for Religious to Wear Coarser Clothes than ...
... In this chapter we must observe that not only the glare and pomp of outward things,
but even the weeds of mourning may be a subject of ostentation, all the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 17.htm

Answer to Mr. W's Third Objection.
... without being defined. It might have had an appearance of ostentation, and
enemies would have said of fraud and deceit. Jesus raised ...
/.../section iii answer to mr.htm

Trumpets and Street Corners
... Christ condemned ostentation. ... In its coarsest forms, this ostentation is out and
out hypocrisy, which consciously assumes a virtue which it has not. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/trumpets and street corners.htm

The Origin of Female Ornamentation, Traced Back to the Angels who ...
... to the interpretation of the stars"they conferred properly and as it were peculiarly
upon women that instrumental mean of womanly ostentation, the radiances ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter ii the origin of female.htm

If the Female virgins are to be Thus Conspicuous, Why not the Male ...
... toward females, so much the more toil does the continence of (this) greater ardour
involve; and therefore the worthier is it of all ostentation, if ostentation ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter x if the female virgins.htm

Other Arts Made Subservient to Idolatry. Lawful Means of Gaining a ...
... Luxury and ostentation have more votaries than all superstition. Ostentation
will require dishes and cups more easily than superstition. ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter viii other arts made subservient.htm

This Assiduity in Prayer, Though it Specially Refers to the ...
... Akin to this abuse is another which our Saviour also condemns, namely, when hypocrites
for the sake of ostentation court the presence of many witnesses, and ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 29 this assiduity in.htm

The Last Farewell in the Presence of the one Hundred and Fifty ...
... But the law is an ancient one: for even Paul communicated to the Apostles his Gospel:
[4283] not for the sake of ostentation, for the Spirit is far removed ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlii the last farewell.htm

Ostentation (1 Occurrence)
... a detractive sense. 2. (n.) A show or spectacle. Multi-Version Concordance
Ostentation (1 Occurrence). 1 John 2:16 because all that ...
/o/ostentation.htm - 6k

Vaunt (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To boast of; to make a vain display of; to display with ostentation.
3. (n.) A vain display of what one is, or has, or has ...
/v/vaunt.htm - 8k

Ostraca

/o/ostraca.htm - 10k

Ossifrage (2 Occurrences)

/o/ossifrage.htm - 10k

Prayer (406 Occurrences)
... He often spoke to His disciples on the subject of prayer, cautioning them against
ostentation, or urging perseverance, faith and large expectation, and He gave ...
/p/prayer.htm - 80k

Lord's (548 Occurrences)
... He often spoke to His disciples on the subject of prayer, cautioning them against
ostentation, or urging perseverance, faith and large expectation, and He gave ...
/l/lord's.htm - 88k

Vanity (100 Occurrences)
... pride inspired by an overweening conceit of one's personal attainments or decorations;
an excessive desire for notice or approval; pride; ostentation; conceit. ...
/v/vanity.htm - 39k

Flourish (26 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) Decoration; ornament; beauty. 14. (n.) Something made or performed in a
fanciful, wanton, or vaunting manner, by way of ostentation, to excite ...
/f/flourish.htm - 18k

Pride (277 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Show; ostentation; glory. 7. (n.) Highest pitch; elevation reached;
loftiness; prime; glory; as, to be in the pride of one's life. ...
/p/pride.htm - 37k

Pomp (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A procession distinguished by ostentation and
splendor; a pageant. 2. (n.) Show of magnificence; parade; display; power. ...
/p/pomp.htm - 10k

What is the god of self? | GotQuestions.org

What is the pride of life? | GotQuestions.org

Did Jesus mean that we should never refer to our earthly father as “father” (Matthew 23:9)? Is it wrong for Catholics to refer to their priests as “father”? | GotQuestions.org

Ostentation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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