1. The apostle Paul believed there was a good reason to boast about himself to the Corinthians (2Cor. 11:1-12:13).

a. Paul referred to his boasting as "foolishness.” He introduced his boasting by saying, "I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness” (2Cor. 11:1), and he concluded his boasting by saying, "I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me” (2Cor. 12:11).

b. Paul's reason for boasting was to prove himself as a true apostle to the Corinthian Christians. This was not his preference, but he felt compelled so that the Corinthians would not reject the message he taught.

2. Paul also believed there was a reason to boast about the Corinthian Christians to Titus and the Macedonians (2Cor. 7:4, 14; 8:24; 9:1-5).

a. To Titus, it seems that Paul had boasted of the Corinthians' faith and obedience. To the Macedonians, Paul had boasted of the Corinthians' willingness to give for the support of the poor saints in Jerusalem (see 1Cor. 16:1-4; notice that Paul also boasted of the Macedonians for their giving in 2Cor. 8:1-5).

b. Paul used this boasting as an expression of his confidence in the Corinthians and as motivation for them to continue in faith, obedience, and service.

3. For Paul, these were valid reasons for boasting. His boasts were not instances of vanity, pride, and self-indulgence, but they were examples of boasting in the Lord.

1. To get the full meaning of this verse, let us notice the entire context of James 4:13-17.

a. This passage addresses those who plan to act by their own power without regard for God's will. They arrogantly boast about the future, but they cannot control what the future holds.

b. Instead of arrogantly boasting, we are admonished to humbly recognize our temporal existence on the earth and our complete dependence upon God. This is not a prohibition against making plans for the future, but rather it is an admonition to plan with deference to God's will and power.

2. This passage from James is very similar to the message of Proverbs 27:1-2 – "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”

a. Verse 1 shows that boasting of tomorrow is arrogant vanity, for man does not know and cannot control what tomorrow holds.

b. Verse 2 is also a message about boasting, for it prohibits us from praising ourselves. Indeed, if we are worthy of praise, then it will come from others, but if we are not worthy, then boasting of ourselves is vanity, arrogance, and false self-commendation.

1. Arrogance, pride, and vanity are traits of persons who are self-centered and self-indulgent. As such, they boast of themselves in order to magnify their own importance and power.

a. Some boast of things that are beyond their control (such as the future), and some boast of things that are false. Such boasting is both vain and even dishonest.

b. Others boast of things that are true but are not of their doing. Such people have no reason to brag.

i. The Corinthian Christians boasted of their spiritual gifts, but they had done nothing to earn them (1Cor. 4:6-7; 12:4-31). There was no cause for boasting.

ii. Likewise, none of us has any right to boast of ourselves for the talents that God gives to us. Notice Isaiah 10:15 – "Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it? That would be like a club wielding those who lift it, or like a rod lifting him who is not wood.”

iii. Our attitudes should be like that of Paul: "But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1Cor. 15:10).

c. Even when someone does something good, it is still evil for him to boast for his own exaltation. In such a case, the principle of Proverbs 27:2 should govern – "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”

2. The Scriptures are filled with warnings against the pride and arrogance that leads to evil boasting.

a. For instance, notice Proverbs 16:18 – "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” Also see Proverbs 11:2; 13:10; 15:25; 16:5; 18:12; 21:4, 24; 29:23.

b. Let us heed theses warnings and prevent the arrogance of our hearts from being manifested as boasting in our mouths.

1. Notice two passages that govern any boasting that Christians may do.

a. "…so that, just as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.'” (1Cor. 1:29)

b. "But ‘He who boasts is to boast in the Lord.' For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.” (2Cor. 10:17-18)

2. Both of these passages are quotations or references to Jeremiah 9:23-24 – "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; 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.”

3. By these passages and Paul's examples of boasting, we may understand what it means to boast in the Lord.

a. Boasting in the Lord is focused upon the Lord and not upon the man who boasts.

i. A man ought not to boast of his wisdom, his might, or his riches. These are not a credit to him, but rather they are a credit to God who gave them.

ii. Instead, a man ought to boast of the God who gives blessings and "exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth.”

b. Boasting in the Lord is synonymous with praising and exalting the Lord.

i. To praise God is to boast of His value and worth.

ii. To exalt God is to boast of His high position and power.

c. Boasting in the Lord is acceptable because it accomplishes the purposes of the Lord.

i. Boasting in arrogance accomplishes nothing of God's purposes, for it only exalts the man who boasts.

ii. Boasting in the Lord brings those who hear closer to God, exalts God in their hearts, and promotes God's message for their salvation (consider how Paul's boasting accomplished this).

1. Consider the attitude of David regarding his boasting.

a. "Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.” (Ps. 20:7)

b. "My soul will make its boast in the LORD; the humble will hear it and rejoice.” (Ps. 34:2)

2. Likewise, our boasting must be only of that which pertains to the Lord. Even when it is a matter of our personal virtues or good deeds, let us boast only in the Lord so that men will glorify our God because of us (Matt. 5:16; Gal. 1:24).