Boasting

Boasting (Hebrew halal, pa'ar; Greek kauchaomai) in Scripture carries two senses: empty self-glorification condemned as sin, and well-founded exultation in God commended as piety. The prophets forbid boasting in human wisdom, strength, or wealth: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me" (Jer. 9:23–24; 1 Cor. 1:31). Proverbs warns against premature self-praise (Prov. 27:1) and promises that "Let another praise you and not your own mouth" (Prov. 27:2). Paul's letters address boasting at length: he forbids boasting in human wisdom or achievement before God (1 Cor. 1:29; 4:7; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 2:9) but fully endorses boasting — glorying — in the cross of Christ (Gal. 6:14), in weaknesses that display divine power (2 Cor. 11:30; 12:9), and in hope and sufferings (Rom. 5:2–3). The Psalms frame legitimate boasting as praise: "In God we have boasted continually" (Ps. 44:8).