Greek word · G2745

καύχημα

kauchēma

pride

The ground or object of boasting, the thing one can point to with pride. It is close to kauchēsis, the act of boasting. Paul uses the word for both sinful self-congratulation and rightful confidence, depending on what the boast rests on.

Appears 11 times in 11 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

καύχημα, -τος, τό

(καυχάομαι), [in LXX chiefly for תְּהִלָּה, תִּפְאָרָה ;]

1. a boast (Pind.): 2 Corinthians 5:12 9:3 (Thayer, see word; e. contra, 2, Ellic., Lft., on Galatians 6:4; Lft., Notes, 204, 277).

2. ground or matter of glorying: Romans 4:2, 1 Corinthians 5:6 9:15-16, 2 Corinthians 1:14, Galatians 6:4, Philippians 1:26 2:16, Hebrews 3:6 (cf. καύχησις).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Philippians 2:16

Range of meaning

The ground or object of boasting, the thing one can point to with pride. It is close to kauchēsis, the act of boasting. Paul uses the word for both sinful self-congratulation and rightful confidence, depending on what the boast rests on.

Against the English

KJV has 'rejoice', which softens it. BSB and WEB have 'boast'. ESV and NLT have 'be proud'. NASB has 'reason to glory'. 'Boast' is accurate but can sound arrogant in modern English.

How it drifted

In modern English, 'boasting' is almost always a vice. In Paul's honor-and-shame world, people had a proper 'boast': something that earned honor, especially before God's judgment.

Used elsewhere in the period

2 Cor 1:14, where Paul and the Corinthians are each other's boast 'on the day of our Lord Jesus'; 1 Thess 2:19–20, 'our crown of boasting' at Christ's coming; Rom 4:2; 1 Cor 9:15–16. In the LXX the related verbs are used for boasting in the Lord (Jer 9:23–24).

From the study of Galatians 6:4

Range of meaning

The ground, reason, or object of boasting: that in which one can rightly take pride or have confidence. It differs from kauchēsis, the act of boasting. It can be wrongful (self-glorying before God, Rom 4:2; 1 Cor 5:6) or legitimate (Paul's "boast" in his converts at the day of Christ, 2 Cor 1:14; Phil 2:16).

Against the English

KJV "rejoicing" reads as joy and loses the note of pride and honor. BSB, WEB and NASB "reason to boast/for boasting" keep the noun's sense of a ground. NIV "take pride" and NLT "satisfaction of a job well done" soften it into a feeling.

How it drifted

In modern English "boast" nearly always means sinful bragging, so some readers assume Paul is condemning or being sarcastic. In Paul's Greek and Jewish world, "boasting" could also mean legitimate confidence in what one stands on before God (compare Jer 9:23-24: "let him who boasts boast in this, that he knows me").

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint the kauch- word group translates Hebrew halal and tiph'eret (glory, pride). Jer 9:22-23 LXX is Paul's key text (1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17). Paul uses kauch- words more than any other New Testament writer, especially in 2 Corinthians 10-12, where he attacks rivals who "measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves" (2 Cor 10:12).

From the study of Hebrews 3:6

Range of meaning

A boast, or more precisely the ground or object of one's boasting: what one takes pride in and publicly glories in. It can be negative (self-glorification) or positive (glorying in God).

Against the English

KJV and YLT have 'rejoicing', which turns it into an emotion of joy and loses the public claim. 'Boast' (ESV, BSB) can sound like bragging to modern ears. NIV's 'the hope in which we glory' and WEB's 'glorying' are close.

How it drifted

Modern 'boast' is almost only negative. 'Rejoicing' in the KJV reflects older English usage, but today it suggests an inner feeling rather than an open declaration.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Deuteronomy 10:21: of God, 'He is your boast' (καύχημα). Jeremiah 9:23–24: 'let the one who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me'. Paul uses the word group often, both negatively and positively (Rom 5:2, 'we boast in hope of the glory of God'; Phil 2:16).

Similar words

Where it appears

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 4:2 καύχημα ground of boasting

    If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God.

    Here: Not the act of boasting but the thing one can point to: a basis for pride, a claim to honor. If his deeds had won the verdict, Abraham could point to them.

1 Corinthians · 3

  1. 1 Corinthians 5:6 καύχημα boasting

    Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough?

    Here: What they are proud of, the confidence they hold up for show. It picks up 'you are puffed up' from verse 2: the community's self-satisfied spiritual pride while a scandal sits in its midst.

  2. 1 Corinthians 9:15 καύχημά boasting

    But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast.

    Here: This is not the act of bragging. It is the thing Paul can point to with honour: as verse 18 explains, that he offers the gospel free of charge.

  3. 1 Corinthians 9:16 καύχημα· boasting;

    Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

    Here: Not the act of bragging but the thing one can point to as an honorable claim. Doing what he was ordered to do earns Paul no such claim.

2 Corinthians · 3

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:14 καύχημα boasting

    as you have already understood us in part, that you may boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of our Lord Jesus.

    Here: The thing one can point to with pride, not the act of bragging. 'We are your boast' means 'we are the ones you can be proud of', the honor you will be able to claim.

  2. 2 Corinthians 5:12 καυχήματος of boasting

    We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.

    Here: The thing you can point to with confidence, your grounds for honour. It is not the act of bragging. Here it is a good thing: Paul wants the church to be able to be proud of him.

  3. 2 Corinthians 9:3 καύχημα boasting

    But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.

Galatians · 1

  1. Galatians 6:4 καύχημα ground of boasting

    Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.

    Here: Not the act of bragging but the thing a person can point to and take pride in. In Paul this can be legitimate: honest pride in work that will stand before God.

Philippians · 2

  1. Philippians 1:26 καύχημα boasting

    so that through my coming to you again your exultation in Christ Jesus will resound on account of me.

    Here: Not the act of bragging but the thing you can point to with confident pride. Here it is their glorying in Christ Jesus, which Paul's release will give fresh reason for.

  2. Philippians 2:16 καύχημα a boast

    as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

    Here: Not the act of bragging but the thing one can rightly point to with pride. For Paul, that thing is the Philippians themselves, standing firm.

Hebrews · 1

  1. Hebrews 3:6 καύχημα boast

    But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.

    Here: The thing one openly takes pride in and publicly claims. Here it is the hope itself, which the readers are not to be ashamed of. It is not arrogance.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.