[Greek] καύχημα (kauchēma), [Latin] gloria, [Latin] gratulatio, [French] magnificence: boast, proud confidence, reason to be proud, basis for boasting; Rom.4:2, 1Cor.5:6, 1Cor.9:15-16, 2Cor.1:14, 2Cor.5:12, 2Cor.9:3, Gal.6:4, Php.1:26, Php.2:16, Heb.3:6
Doubling down in sinful behavior or other actions have become very common in this secular post-Christian world.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means boast, vaunt, subject of boasting, and to speak loudly.
Herodotus’s The Histories 7.39: “When you did me good service and promised more, you will never boast that you outdid your king in the matter of merit.”
Old Testament: This term means self-glorying, self-exulting, and foolishness. This person stands on his own accomplishments and does not depend on God. This self-boast is contrasted with true boasting which consists in self-humbling before God. The true sin of self-glorying is man’s lack of acknowledgment (and forgetfulness) of God.
New Testament: This term means reason (right) to boast, boast, and basis of pride. As God bestowed justification to Abraham, he has no reason to boast on the basis of his works. In the midst of immorality, the Corinthians’ boasting is not appropriate. Rather than boasting his apostolic rights, Paul undertakes a stewardship inspired by God. Paul and his followers (boast) affirm each other. One must soberly examine one’s own work, in giving glory to God. Paul encourages in others that boasting in Christ may abound. We [Christians] are His house if we hold fast to pride in our hope.
Scripture:
“Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason to boast; but this was not so in the sight of God.” Rom.4:2
If justification had been earned by his own works, it would have been something to be proud of. Abraham’s justification was not earned but was bestowed upon him by God for his faith.
“Each one must examine his own work, and then he will have to boast with regard to himself alone, and not with regard to someone else.” Gal.6:4
Self examination is the cure for self-deception. One should assess with what you were before and then give glory to God.
“Your boasting is not appropriate. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough?” 1Cor.5:6
Moral disorders (sexual immorality) in Corinth:
What does Paul observe in Corinth? With the sexual immorality in Corinth, he sees that they are inflated with pride and not being sorrowful. Paul says that this instigator must be expelled from Corinth.
Why must this instigator be expelled from Corinth? This man must be delivered to Satan for the destruction of flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
Why is the Corinthians’ boasting not appropriate? This immorality, like a yeast of malice and wickedness, can become all pervasive.
Why must the Corinthians not associate with immoral people? The unjust will not inherit the kingdom of the world. They must purge the evil person from their midst.
Why is Paul indignant about the Corinthians’ actions? They are suing one another before pagan judges in Roman courts. The Corinthians are not settling these matters themselves with Christian principles.
What does ‘everything is lawful for me’ mean? The Corinthians often confuse or minimize the sinful nature of sexual morality. The Corinthians misunderstand that the New Testament notion of freedom (being controlled by God) is in contrast with the worldly notion of freedom (being free to do whatever one wants) . Rather, the Corinthians seek a worldly freedom to engage in sin. This can lead one to become enslaved to sin.
What does ‘food for the stomach and stomach for the food’ mean? The Corinthians consider sexual satisfaction just as mundane (commonplace) as food.
What does Paul say about the body? The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord.
New Testament concept of freedom: Man attains self-control by letting himself be controlled by God (following His will). God provides a true liberation (freedom) from a deficient existence (environment for sinful inclinations). [Talk about a profound contradiction!!] #GodIsInControl #Mindblown
Perspectives on boasting:
“A great man knows he is not God, and the greater he is the better he knows it.” Unknown
“Keep away from the beast of boast and concern for one’s reputation, for these destroy and weaken every good work.” Bl. Raymond of Capualo
“Boasting and gloating confirm that you need appreciation from others.” Unknown
“I do not boast that God is on my side, I humbly pray that I am on God’s side.” Abraham Lincoln
“Pride looks down, and no one can see God but by looking up.” Peter Kreeft
“Humility is dependence on God as pride is independence of Him. The humble soul is always the thankful soul.” Bishop Fulton Sheen
“Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogant words come out of your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and actions are weighed by Him.” George Guthrie
“It is common for those that are farthest from God, to boast themselves most of their being near to the Church.” Matthew Henry
Conclusion:
Glory, magnificence, congratulations
It is very interesting that the Old Testament makes an important distinction between self-boasting and true boasting. Self-boasting trumpets one’s own accomplishments, while minimizing God’s contributions. True boasting consists in self-humbling before God.
The Corinthian Church often boasted of its immorality.
God provides a true freedom. On the other hand, the worldly notion of freedom (“I can do whatever I want”) can potentially lead one to an addiction (slavery) to sin.
Update: Gov. Desantis is proud of his efforts in fighting woke culture. He often mentions, “Florida is where woke goes to die.”
After the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe vs. Wade, abortion rights supporters have become more energetic in their efforts to support their cause.
The Republicans won fewer seats in the House this past election because abortions rights supporters energetically came out to vote to preserve this “right”.
Corporations and company will often find themselves in situations of “Go woke or go broke” (Bud Light, Target, Netflix, etc.). They will often reap the consequences of their actions.
Disney will double down in the culture wars in celebrating Gay Days at Disney World.
Bud Light and Target, continuing their ways, will most likely continue to go into financial free fall (ruin) with no end in sight.
Netflix’s ‘ Queen Cleopatra, boasting that Cleopatra was black, is getting criticism from Egypt, critics, and fans. “But if you criticize us, then you must be racist”. (Doubling down on identity politics.)
Gay pride groups and drag queens seek to legitimize and to self-boast about their behavior and lifestyle.
Wokeism, like a mind virus, has become pervasive in all aspects of our culture.
More and more college students ignorantly believe that others’ opposing views and thoughts are violent. Therefore, violence is justified against this ‘hate speech’.
Some church leaders, seeking to be welcoming to the LGBTQ, boast about their “inclusivity”.
Hook-ups, sleeping around, and body count now seem to be mundane (commonplace) in the current dating scene in our culture.
We have Vatican leadership who continue to double down on its modernist (non-traditional) efforts in creating confusion: “flirting” with illicit idols and practices, ambiguous policies with the LGBTQ community, ambiguous views toward the German bishops’ doctrinal heresies, and restricting traditional practices (TLM).
The Catholic Church can boast about its historical claim of the being the Church established by Christ. (No other church can make that claim.)
If anyone can boast in saying that they’re a woman, then their words have no meaning at all! (Give it up for Matt Walsh for the win!) 👏
Next post: fear