In the context of biblical literature and theology, the term "puffs" is not directly mentioned in the Scriptures. However, the concept of "puffing up" or being "puffed up" is often used metaphorically to describe pride, arrogance, or self-exaltation. This metaphorical usage is found in several passages throughout the Bible, particularly in the New Testament.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Corinthians 4:6 : "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 be puffed up in favor of one against the other." Here, the Apostle Paul warns the Corinthian church against pride and division, urging them to adhere to the teachings of Scripture and avoid being "puffed up" with pride.

2. 1 Corinthians 8:1 : "Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." In this passage, Paul contrasts the effects of knowledge and love, emphasizing that while knowledge can lead to arrogance, love edifies and strengthens the community.

3. 1 Corinthians 13:4 : "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." Although the term "puffed up" is not used here, the description of love as not being proud aligns with the broader biblical teaching against arrogance and self-exaltation.

4. Colossians 2:18 : "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind." Paul warns against false teachers who are "puffed up" with pride due to their supposed spiritual experiences, which are not grounded in true faith.

Theological Implications:

The metaphor of being "puffed up" is used to caution believers against the dangers of pride and self-reliance. In biblical theology, pride is often seen as a root sin that leads to other forms of disobedience and rebellion against God. The Scriptures consistently call for humility and a recognition of one's dependence on God.

Practical Application:

For Christians, the admonition against being "puffed up" serves as a reminder to cultivate humility and love in their relationships with others. It encourages believers to prioritize love over knowledge and to seek unity within the body of Christ. By doing so, they reflect the character of Christ, who exemplified humility and selflessness.

Related Concepts:

· Humility: The opposite of being "puffed up," humility is a key virtue in Christian ethics, exemplified by Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-8).
· Pride: Often associated with being "puffed up," pride is considered a sin that leads to downfall (Proverbs 16:18).
· Love: As highlighted in 1 Corinthians 13, love is the antidote to pride and is characterized by patience, kindness, and selflessness.

In summary, while the term "puffs" itself is not found in the Bible, the concept of being "puffed up" is a significant theme that addresses the dangers of pride and the importance of humility and love in the Christian life.

Of the Kind of Knowledge which Puffs up the Demons.
... Book IX. Chapter 20."Of the Kind of Knowledge Which Puffs Up the Demons.
However, the very origin of the name suggests something ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 20 of the kind of 2.htm

Of the Ways in which Vainglory Attacks a Monk.
... In the case also of beginners and of those who have as yet made but little progress
either in powers of mind or in knowledge it usually puffs up their minds ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiii of the ways.htm

The Publisher Has Pleasure in Submitting the Following Extracts ...
... In this age of puffs and puffing, it is really pleasing to find pretensions at first
somewhat startling, though modestly enough proclaimed, so well sustained. ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/the publisher has pleasure in.htm

Rest
... natural rest is not in itself sinful, but to sinful man it is a snare and a danger,
and because it may be mistaken for rest in God, it oftentimes puffs up the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxii rest.htm

Foreign Exchange.
... bank stock and railroad bonds and other bonds. They are absorbing him
completely as he puffs slowly along. And as he gets up to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/foreign exchange.htm

Treatment of Words
... addling to earning aseth satisfaction bolnes puffs up chinche miser fagiar, faged
flatterer, flattered fliting reproof forthink repent foyd pledge groching ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/treatment of words.htm

Wherefore it is Better to Take Entent to the Love of God than to ...
... man's own excellence. Knowledge without charity builds not to endless health
but puffs up to most wretched undoing. Be our souls ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter v wherefore it is.htm

Matt. vi. 1
... also speaks to the Philippians; "Beware of dogs." [819] And with reason, for [820]
the evil beast comes in upon us secretly, and without noise puffs all away ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xix matt vi 1.htm

Rom. I. 28
... Wherefore also he charges the Corinthians with it, saying, "Ye are puffed up."
(1 Corinthians 5:2.) For if in a good action he that puffs himself up loseth all ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily v rom i 28.htm

Philippians iii. 13, 14
... Nothing so renders our real excellences vain and puffs them away, as to be remembering
the good deeds we have done; for this produces two evils, it both ...
/.../homily xii philippians iii 13.htm

Puffs (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Puffs (3 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians ... knowledge. Knowledge
puffs up, but love builds up. (WEB DBY RSV NIV). Colossians ...
/p/puffs.htm - 7k

Puff (1 Occurrence)
... 7. (n.) To blow in puffs, or with short and sudden whiffs. ... 9. (n.) To breathe
quick and hard, or with puffs, as after violent exertion. 10. ...
/p/puff.htm - 8k

Idols (186 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that
we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ...
/i/idols.htm - 37k

Rat (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A round and tapering mass of hair, or similar material, used by
women to support the puffs and rolls of their natural hair. ...
/r/rat.htm - 7k

Edifies (2 Occurrences)
... Edifies (2 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 8:1 But concerning things sacrificed to idols,
we know, (for we all have knowledge: knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. ...
/e/edifies.htm - 6k

Pugnacious (2 Occurrences)

/p/pugnacious.htm - 7k

Puffeth (3 Occurrences)

/p/puffeth.htm - 7k

Builds (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all
have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (WEB WEY RSV NIV). ...
/b/builds.htm - 11k

Arrogant (60 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all
have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (See NAS). ...
/a/arrogant.htm - 22k

Sacrificed (112 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we
all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ...
/s/sacrificed.htm - 38k

Can angels die? Can angels be hurt? | GotQuestions.org

Should Christian women wear makeup or jewelry? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus