Boasting is the act of talking about oneself in order to impress or show off. It is frequently characterized by an overestimation or exaggeration of one’s own abilities, accomplishments, or possessions.
It is generally regarded as a negative behavior because it can appear arrogant or boastful, and it can harm relationships and social connections. Below are 21 Bible verses on boasting with detailed explanations of them all.
21 Bible Verses on Boasting
Boasting is exhibiting excessive pride or self-satisfaction. In Romans 1:30, Paul describes the arrogant and boastful as “God-haters”.
Applying pride is not the best way to grow if definitely one really wants to because pride makes you feel you’re perfect and you know it all.
The bible verses outlined below clearly underline this fact in simplified form.
2 Corinthians 10:13
But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you.-
In this verse, The apostle Paul is discussing the subject of boasting or bragging. He is expressing the intention that neither he nor his coworkers will exaggerate or brag more than is appropriate or acceptable.
Instead, they will stay within the bounds that God has established for them and won’t cross them.
It’s vital to note that Paul does not in any way imply that boasting or bragging is improper. Instead, he is emphasizing the need to keep inside the bounds of what is acceptable boasting.
This verse serves as a general reminder to be modest and to be aware of the boundaries that God has set for us in terms of how we talk about ourselves and our achievements.
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.-
In this scripture, Paul is urging the Roman Christians to have a positive, modest opinion of themselves.
He counsels us to exercise “sober judgment” and to take into account our own abilities and gifts in relation to those of others, rather than to have an overly positive view of ourselves or underestimate our own strengths.
He also reminds us that our skills and talents were not bestowed upon them by their own merit or deeds, but rather by God’s grace.
Instead of being arrogant and believing that they are self-sufficient or superior to others, Paul exhorts the Christians to remain humble and acknowledge that their gifts and skills are a gift from God.
Instead of utilizing our talents and gifts for self-promotion, Jesus exhorts us to utilize them to help others and strengthen the body of Christ.
What Does the Bible Say About Boasting
The Bible teaches that boasting is a sinful and prideful behavior that should be avoided.
Instead, we should seek to glorify God and serve others with humility and grace. The highlighted bible verses below talk more about it;
1 Corinthians 1:31
Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.-
In the context of the letter to the Corinthians, Paul uses this verse to support a greater point about the need for humility and reliance on God.
Paul has been outlining the conflicts and divisions that have developed among the Corinthian church members in the verses before this one.
He makes the observation that those who profess to be followers of one leader or another use these distinctions as a source of boasting and pride.
Jeremiah 9:23
Thus says the LORD: “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.-
This verse serves as a reminder that real respect and glory come from knowing and understanding God and behaving in accordance with his principles.
It warns us against exalting and appreciating worldly knowledge, power, and riches, and instead exhorts us to put our attention on living in line with God’s principles of unwavering love, justice, and righteousness.
The verse also underlines how God practices these virtues in the world and takes pleasure in them.
Bible Verses on Boasting KJV
Excessive self-promotion or pride in one’s accomplishments is typically viewed in the Bible as a bad quality. The various bible verses below are all king James versions with clear explanations of them all, let’s have a look at what the scripture says;
Ecclesiastes 7:16
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?-
This verse addresses the subject of human wisdom and understanding’s limitations.
By stating that being extremely righteous or wise can result in self-destruction, Solomon is cautioning against doing so.
This verse is a warning against being self-righteous because doing so can cause disagreement and struggle with others.
The main takeaway from this verse is to strive for a sense of balance and moderation in all things and to be aware of the risks of overindulging in righteousness or wisdom.
Proverbs 25:16
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.-
This verse serves as a caution against overindulging in enjoyable or desirable things.
The text urges us not to consume more than is necessary or suitable and to enjoy these things in moderation.
This verse is a warning against becoming unduly fixated on or reliant on enjoyable experiences because doing so can have unfavorable effects.
The major point of this verse is to aim for a sense of balance and moderation in whatever you do and to be aware of the risks associated with overindulging in enjoyable pleasures.
Psalm 34:2
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.-
This verse conveys a resolute dedication to giving thanks to God constantly.
Speaking these words demonstrates a person’s will to consistently show their thankfulness and admiration for God’s goodness and faithfulness.
This verse emphasizes the benefits of our relationship with God and shows our thankfulness to others, this can be interpreted as a profession of faith in God.
It serves as a gentle reminder to oneself to be grateful and upbeat in spite of adversity.
Ephesians 2:9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.-
In this verse, The apostle Paul is addressing the believers in Ephesus.
Paul emphasizes in this text that salvation is not something we can acquire through our own efforts or merit.
Instead, it is a gift that God gives to us as part of his unmerited grace, which is his love and favor.
The phrase “by grace you have been saved through faith” is crucial in this verse. God’s unmerited favor, which he extends to us through Jesus Christ, is referred to by the word “grace.”
The concept of being rescued from sin and death and made right with God is conveyed by the word “saved” Indicated by the words “by faith”.
This is a crucial reality that serves as a reminder of how totally dependent we are on God’s grace for salvation.
Bible Verse that Talks About Boasting
These verses warn against boasting or being proud because it can lead to arrogance and a lack of humility. Numerous verses about posting are highlighted below;
Psalm 10:3
For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the LORD.-
In this verse, the evil person is depicted as boastful and selfish, and they curse and deny the Lord.
This implies that the wicked person is haughty and disdainful of God and is more focused on collecting wealth and gratifying his own wishes than on leading a good and godly life.
The psalmist is upset by the hardship brought on by the evil person’s contempt for God.
Psalm 49:6-7
Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me? They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.-
The psalmist is speaking about those in these verses who put their confidence in their possessions and make a show of their wealth rather than putting their trust in God.
These people, the psalmist notes, do not comprehend that their money will not endure forever and that they will not be able to take it with them when they pass away.
These folks are being reminded by the psalmist to place their confidence in God rather than in worldly riches, which will inevitably vanish.
Bible Verse About Bragging About your Good Deeds
The Bible teaches that doing good deeds is important, but it also teaches that we should not boast or brag about them.
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Related bible verses on this fact are outlined below;
Matthew 6:1
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.-
This verse contains the Sermon on the Mount, a series of lessons that Jesus taught to his disciples and the greater group of people who were following him.
Jesus cautions his followers in this verse not to carry out good works or acts of righteousness merely to be noticed and admired by others.
He warns them that doing good things for this purpose will result in their not receiving any reward from God.
Instead, Jesus counsels his followers to practice righteousness and conduct good deeds in secret, without expecting praise or attention from others. God, who is aware of everything done in secret, will reward them in this manner.
This verse serves as a general reminder to be humble and to perform good things for the right reasons rather than to receive acclaim or recognition from others.
Do not Boast About Yourself Bible Verse
Several passages in the Bible warn against boasting or pride. As a result, it is written, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” These passages encourage humility and warn against boasting or exalting oneself.
James 4:16-17
16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.-
James is addressing the subject of boasting and haughtiness in these words. He is arguing that it is sinful to know the right thing to do yet choose to do otherwise, as well as that boasting about oneself or one’s achievements, is improper.
It is crucial to keep in mind that these verses is conveying a message of submission to God and humility.
James urges us to be modest and resist the urge to brag about ourselves or our achievements in this chapter.
Instead, he exhorts them to concentrate on doing what is right, even when it is challenging, and to submit to God’s will.
What Does Paul Say About Boasting
In his letters, Paul, a Christian apostle, and missionary write that while he could legitimately boast about his own accomplishments, he chooses not to do so in order to avoid being perceived as arrogant or self-aggrandizing.
He emphasizes the importance of focusing on God’s work and giving Him credit for any accomplishments or successes.
Overall, Paul believes that boasting is unimportant and even harmful, as it can lead to pride and a lack of humility.
Bible verses about pride and boasting
The Bible frequently addresses the issue of pride, often portraying it as a negative trait that can lead to harm.
Pride is often described as a sin, and humility is often seen as a virtue. The Bible also generally discourages boasting, which is often viewed as a form of pride. Below are backed-up verses;
Jeremiah 9:23-24
23)Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;
24) But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.-
Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord is urging the people in these verses to strive to comprehend and know him rather than to place their confidence in their own knowledge, resources, or wealth.
The Lord states that these are the things we should take pride in because they are the things he takes pleasure in unwavering love, justice, and righteousness.
The Lord is reminding us that our relationship with him and our dedication to upholding his principles are what really matters in life, not our own skills or material riches.
1 John 2:16
For everything in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life comes not from the Father but from the world.-
This verse is explaining that the things that people desire in the world, such as material possessions, physical pleasure, and pride, are not from God, but rather come from the world.
These desires can be tempting and can lead people away from God and toward sin. The verse encourages readers to resist these desires and instead focus on living according to God’s will.
2 Corinthians 10:12
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.-
In this verse, The apostle Paul is defending his ministry and the authority God has granted him.
Paul warns the Corinthians in this passage not to contrast themselves with others who might be bragging about their own accomplishments or spiritual abilities.
Instead, Paul counsels people to seek God’s wisdom and judge themselves by His standards.
He further warns the Corinthians not to measure themselves against others since doing so can breed arrogance and a lack of humility.
Instead, people should put their attention on living according to God’s principles and requesting His guidance in all matters.
What Does the Bible Say About Giving and Boasting
The Bible promotes generous and selfless giving without seeking attention or recognition for one’s actions.
However, it also cautions against boasting or flaunting one’s wealth or good deeds, as this can be perceived as arrogant and self-centered.
Matthew 6:4
Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.-
In this scripture, The Gospel of Matthew includes a collection of Jesus’ teachings called the Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus is discussing the topic of giving to the needy in this particular teaching and the significance of doing so out of humility and sincerity rather than in order to get approval or praise from others.
Jesus further classifies those who give in order to be noticed as hypocrites. He says it’s best to give anonymously or give in such a way that people don’t come to pour credit on you.
In contrast, Jesus encourages his followers to give to the needy in a way that is private and unobtrusive, rather than seeking the approval or admiration of others.
He is emphasizing the importance of humility and sincere compassion in our actions, and the idea that true goodness is not about seeking recognition or reward, but rather about acting out of love and concern for others.
Matthew 6:16
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.-
In this place of the bible, Jesus instructs his disciples about the value of humility and sincerity in their faith and deeds in the Sermon on the Mount.
In this verse, Jesus warns his followers against trying to impress others with their dedication or their fasting.
Instead, for the sake of their own spiritual development and their relationship with God, he counsels them to fast silently and in private.
Jesus further exhorts them to have faith in the fact that God, who is aware of all that is done in secret, would honor their sincerity and dedication.
Bible Verses on Boasting in the Lord
Boasting in the lord simply means drawing attention to Christ. This is a call for people to admire him as much as we admire him.
The scriptures have much clarity with regard to this aspect of “boasting in the lord” let’s have close look at this below;
Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.-
This verse reiterates hoping and having faith in God, the psalmist made a conclusion on this.
While some people rely on their own resources and strength, the psalmist is arguing that those who believe in God and depend on His strength and protection are surely saved
The psalmist declares that God is their greatest source of shelter and strength, and they have faith that He would save them when they are in trouble.
Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.-
Paul is speaking to a group of Christians in the historic city of Philippi in this verse known as the Philippians.
He is informing us that as followers of Jesus Christ, they are the “circumcision,” or those who have experienced a spiritual rebirth as a result of faith in Jesus.
In general, this verse exhorts Christians to put their attention on their connection with God and to find delight in Jesus rather than counting on their own accomplishments or efforts to win God’s favor.