κατακαυχάομαι (katakauchaomai)
katakauchaomai
to boast
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katakauchaomai describes a specific kind of boasting that is aggressive or comparative in nature. It combines the prefix kata, meaning "against" or "down," with kauchaomai, which means to boast. This construction shifts the focus from simple self-praise to exulting over someone else or taking pride at another’s expense.
In Scripture, this word appears only three times, primarily in Romans and James. Paul uses it in Romans 11:18 to warn an olive branch not to boast against the broken branches, highlighting a relational arrogance that looks down on others. Similarly, James addresses those who claim wisdom but harbor bitter envy, using this term to describe boasting that contradicts true spiritual character.
The sources note its use in the Septuagint as well, where it translates Hebrew terms for exulting or glorying. The consistent thread is a boast that stands in opposition to humility. It is not merely confidence in one’s own abilities, but a prideful stance that diminishes others. Translators often render it as "boast against" or "exult over," capturing the competitive and superior tone inherent in the Greek.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katakauchaomai describes a prideful boasting that looks down on others, often with an aggressive or comparative edge. It is not simple confidence but a posture of superiority that diminishes those around us. In Romans 11:18, Paul warns believers against boasting over the broken branches, reminding them that they are supported by the root, not the other way around. This image teaches us that our standing comes from God’s grace, not our own merit or status above others.
When we feel tempted to elevate ourselves by comparing our spiritual progress or wisdom to others, this word calls us back to humility. James 3:14 links such boasting with bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, showing how pride disrupts community and distorts truth. True strength in faith is found in recognizing our dependence on God and honoring others as fellow recipients of His mercy.
Let this truth encourage you today: your value does not come from being better than someone else, but from being loved by God. Instead of measuring yourself against others, rest in the grace that sustains you. May you walk in humility, celebrating others’ blessings and trusting God to guide your heart toward genuine peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you boast against [them],1×
- it triumphs over1×
- do boast [of it]1×
- do boast1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατακαυχῶ1×
- κατακαυχᾶται1×
- κατακαυχᾶσθε1×
- κατακαυχᾶσαι,1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 11:18
don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, remember that it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.
Paul uses this word to warn Gentile believers not to look down on Jewish branches, emphasizing that their spiritual standing depends entirely on God’s grace, not their own superiority.
-
James 3:14
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.
James connects this kind of boasting with bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, showing how prideful comparison contradicts the wisdom from above.