ἐγκαυχάομαι (egkauchaomai)
egkauchaomai
to boast of
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb egkauchaomai means to boast or take pride in something. It appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Thessalonians 1:4, where Paul describes his own attitude toward the believers there.
Its root combines "in" with a word for boasting. In this verse, Paul says he boasts in them because their faith is growing and they are enduring persecution with patience. This usage shows that boasting is not always negative; it can be a legitimate expression of shared joy in God’s work.
The prefix "en-" suggests an inward or personal pride, but here it is directed outward toward others. Paul’s boasting is rooted in what God has done through the believers, not in their own merit. This highlights how Christian pride is always derivative and communal.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he used a word that usually carries a negative sting: boasting. Yet here, he turns it into an act of shared joy. He does not boast in his own achievements or spiritual status. Instead, he boasts in the believers themselves because of how they are living out their faith.
This shifts our perspective on pride. It is not always about self-promotion. Sometimes, taking pride in others is a way to celebrate God’s work in their lives. When you see someone endure hardship with patience, or grow in faith despite pressure, it is right to acknowledge that growth. This kind of boasting points back to God, who is shaping His people.
In your own life, look for reasons to rejoice in the progress of those around you. Whether it is a friend standing firm in trials or a neighbor showing kindness, let your words reflect gratitude for what God is doing. This builds community and gives glory to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to greatly boast1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐγκαυχᾶσθαι1×
Key Verses
-
II Thessalonians 1:4
so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your perseverance and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.
Paul uses this unique verb to express his pride in the Thessalonians' perseverance, showing that boasting can be a positive acknowledgment of God's work in others.