1 Corinthians 1:31 kjv
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:31 nkjv
that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."
1 Corinthians 1:31 niv
Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 1:31 esv
so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 1:31 nlt
Therefore, as the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD."
1 Corinthians 1 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast... but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me..." | Original source quote: Boast in knowing God. |
| 2 Cor 10:17 | For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends... | Reiteration of Jer 9:24; God's approval matters. |
| Rom 3:27 | Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded... | Salvation by faith excludes self-boasting. |
| Eph 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. | Grace alone, works excluded, prevents boasting. |
| Gal 6:14 | But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. | Boasting solely in Christ's redeeming work. |
| Php 3:3 | For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh... | True boast is in Christ, not human effort/identity. |
| Ps 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. | Contrasts worldly boasting with divine trust. |
| Ps 34:2 | My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. | Personal confession of boasting in God. |
| 1 Cor 4:7 | For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? | Everything is received from God; no ground for self-boasting. |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. | Human inability; all true fruit comes from Christ. |
| Is 2:11, 17 | The haughty eyes of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low... and the LORD alone will be exalted. | God's exaltation requires human humility. |
| Dan 4:30 | The king declared, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built... by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” | Example of pride and self-boasting preceding judgment. |
| Lk 18:9-14 | Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector... "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." | Condemns self-righteous boasting, affirms humble dependence on God. |
| Prov 27:1 | Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. | Condemns presumptuous boasting about future plans. |
| James 4:16 | As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. | Clearly states negative outcome of arrogant boasting. |
| 1 Jn 2:16 | For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the boastful pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. | Worldly sources of boasting are not of God. |
| Rev 7:10 | and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" | Attributes salvation and glory solely to God and Christ. |
| Is 42:8 | I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no one else, nor my praise to carved idols. | God's exclusive claim to glory. |
| 2 Tim 1:9 | who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. | Salvation is God's initiative, not based on human merit. |
| Tit 3:5 | he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy... | Underscores God's mercy as the basis of salvation, excluding works. |
1 Corinthians 1 verses
1 Corinthians 1 31 Meaning
The verse 1 Corinthians 1:31 unequivocally states that any and all boasting should be directed toward the Lord alone. It shifts the focus from human wisdom, strength, status, or any personal accomplishment, declaring that true glory and honor belong solely to God. This principle underscores God's sovereign initiative and omnipotence in salvation and life, leaving no room for human pride before Him.
1 Corinthians 1 31 Context
First Corinthians chapter 1 begins Paul's strong admonition against the Corinthian church's divisions. These factions were arising from misplaced pride in human wisdom, eloquent leaders (such as Paul, Apollos, and Cephas), and perceived spiritual or social status. Paul systematically debunks these human-centric values by emphasizing that God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and what is weak to shame the strong, so that no one could boast before Him (1 Cor 1:26-29). The wisdom of the world is shown to be foolishness to God, and God's "foolishness"—the cross—is the ultimate display of His power and wisdom (1 Cor 1:18-25). Verse 31 serves as the climactic summary and application of this profound theological argument, reinforcing that since all blessings and salvation come from God's initiative, He alone deserves all glory. It is a direct polemic against the pervasive Greco-Roman cultural values that exalted human intellect, rhetoric, and worldly achievement.
1 Corinthians 1 31 Word analysis
"as it is written" (καθώς γέγραπται - kathōs gegraptai): This phrase acts as a standard formula introducing an Old Testament quotation, imbuing the subsequent statement with divine authority and eternal truth. It signifies that Paul is not offering merely his opinion, but is appealing to a timeless principle revealed in Scripture. This specific quote is a partial adaptation of Jeremiah 9:24. Its inclusion roots the New Covenant teaching firmly within the established principles of the Old Covenant, emphasizing continuity in God's character and requirements.
“Let the one who boasts,” (ὁ καυχώμενος - ho kauchōmenos):
- The Greek verb kauchao (καυχάομαι) means "to boast, to glory, to brag, to pride oneself." It can carry either a positive or negative connotation depending on its object.
- The participle form (ho kauchōmenos) indicates "the one who boasts" or "he who is accustomed to boast," pointing to an action or state of glorifying oneself.
- The word directly addresses the problem in Corinth, where many were boasting in their leaders, their wisdom, or their perceived spiritual gifts. Paul highlights that their fundamental understanding of true "glorying" was misguided.
"boast in the Lord." (ἐν Κυρίῳ καυχάσθω - en Kyriō kauchasthō):
- en Kyriō (ἐν Κυρίῳ): "in the Lord." The definite article and noun Kyrios (Κύριος) is a title for God, reflecting the Old Testament divine name YHWH, and in the New Testament is frequently applied to Jesus Christ, establishing His divine identity and authority.
- The shift from self-directed or worldly boasting to "in the Lord" is paramount. It implies that the source of any true commendation, power, wisdom, or righteousness is God alone. Therefore, all credit, honor, and pride must be given to Him.
- The imperative mood (kauchasthō - "let him boast") serves as a command, establishing this as a divinely mandated principle for all believers. It transforms a natural human tendency (to boast) by redirecting its object entirely to God.
Words-group analysis:
- "as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”": This entire phrase serves as a summation of Paul's preceding argument. It's a foundational theological statement that rectifies the Corinthian church's error. It links human humility and God's exclusive glory to divine scriptural precedent. This command signifies that recognizing God's ultimate authority and grace is the proper and only ground for human pride or confidence. It means that everything genuinely worthy of praise originates from Him—His wisdom, His power, His calling, and His work in believers' lives.
1 Corinthians 1 31 Bonus section
The concept of "boasting" (κᾰυχάομαι - kaucháomai) is explored throughout Paul's letters, demonstrating that not all boasting is inherently negative. Paul himself "boasted" positively in things such as the faithfulness of his converts (2 Cor 7:4), or his suffering for Christ (2 Cor 11:30), but crucially, he ultimately boasted in the Lord through these circumstances (2 Cor 12:9-10). The critical distinction lies in the object of the boast. Boasting in anything other than the Lord ultimately points to a misplaced confidence, but boasting in the Lord points to His sovereign work and glory. This verse powerfully contributes to the theological principle of Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be the glory), a central tenet of Christian thought. It serves as a perennial warning against self-exaltation and a profound call to ascribe all praise to the Divine Giver of all good things.
1 Corinthians 1 31 Commentary
First Corinthians 1:31 is a cornerstone verse, synthesizing Paul's earlier arguments about God's counter-intuitive wisdom and power as revealed in the Cross, and His strategic choice of the weak and foolish. It definitively directs all boasting—meaning all confidence, glory, and self-congratulation—away from human attributes (wisdom, strength, lineage, wealth, rhetorical skill, or perceived spiritual gifting) and solely toward God.
The phrase "boast in the Lord" does not advocate for arrogance, but for a humility rooted in a correct understanding of where true value and efficacy originate. When believers truly boast "in the Lord," they are acknowledging that any good in them, any spiritual accomplishment, or any measure of wisdom is a gift, empowerment, or direct act of God. It eradicates self-reliance, self-promotion, and the pride that often accompanies human achievement. Instead, it fosters profound gratitude, utter dependence, and humble adoration of God for His initiative in salvation, His ongoing work in believers, and His sovereignty over all creation. This directive ensures that God alone receives the glory, reflecting His character as one who does not share His glory with another (Isa 42:8).
Examples:
- When a leader successfully guides a challenging project, instead of taking full credit, they acknowledge God's wisdom and enabling power.
- Upon overcoming a personal struggle, a believer attributes their strength and resilience to God's grace, rather than personal fortitude alone.
- In moments of praise for talent or skill, a Christian recognizes it as a God-given gift to be stewarded for His purposes.