1 Corinthians 1:31 Meaning: What Does It Mean to Boast in the Lord?
that, as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
that, according as it hath been written, `He who is glorying--in the Lord let him glory.'
that according as it is written, He that boasts, let him boast in [the] Lord.
Meaning in one sentence
Paul shows that all we have comes from God, so our only glory is in Him. What it means to boast in the Lord and not in ourselves.
Context
Paul is writing to a church in Corinth that had split into factions. Some claimed to follow Paul, others Apollos, others Cephas. In response, Paul reminds them that the cross turns human wisdom and status upside down. God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and the weak things to shame the strong. Why? So that no one could boast before God. Then Paul says that because of God we are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. That is the foundation for the quotation from the prophet Jeremiah: if anyone is going to boast, let it be in the Lord, not in human leaders or achievements.
Key Words
The Greek word for 'boasts' here is kauchaomai. It can mean to take pride in something, to glory, or to exult. The word itself is neutral; what matters is the object. Paul is redirecting the natural human impulse to feel good about something. The second key word is kurios, 'Lord.' In the Old Testament quotation Paul is drawing from, the Lord is Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. So boasting in the Lord means locating all your confidence and delight in God Himself. Notice the verb form: 'let him boast' is a command, not a suggestion. If we are going to glory in anything at all, it must be in God. That is the radical reorientation Paul calls for, turning the very act of boasting from a source of division into an act of worship.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions read this verse as a call to humility and God-centeredness. Reformed commentators emphasize that human merit is entirely set aside so that God alone receives glory. Wesleyan interpreters point to the joy of recognizing all good gifts come from God. Anglican scholars note the echo of Jeremiah and the way Paul applies it directly to the Corinthian situation. Catholic interpreters agree that all grace is from Christ, and our response is thanksgiving, not self-congratulation. There is no major division on the meaning; the verse is seen as a clear invitation to renounce pride in human achievement and to rest entirely in God's grace.
A common misunderstanding
Some people think 'boasting in the Lord' means claiming God as your own in a way that still elevates yourself, like saying 'God is on my side, so I'm better than you.' In fact, true boasting in the Lord is the opposite. It means recognizing that you have nothing of your own to boast about. It is not a badge of spiritual superiority but an honest acknowledgement that everything, your wisdom, your strength, your very salvation, comes from God. When you boast in the Lord, you are not showing off; you are giving credit where it belongs.
Living This Out
This week, pay attention to what makes you feel proud. A compliment at work, a child's success, a moment of spiritual insight. The temptation is to think, 'I did that well' or 'I've grown so much.' Paul suggests a different reflex: pause and say, 'Lord, that was Your gift in me.' It doesn't mean you deny your effort, but you place the source where it belongs. Let that redirect your satisfaction toward God. Even in failure, you can boast in the Lord, His grace is enough. This week, let one moment of pride each day become a moment of praise.
Main takeaway: Everything good in us comes from God, so our only rightful boast is in Him and His grace.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Boasting is when we say 'I'm the best at this.' But the Bible says we should boast about God instead. We can say 'God is so good, and He helps me with everything.'
For ages 9, 12
Sometimes we want others to see how smart or strong or kind we are. But Paul says all that we have comes from God. So instead of showing off our own abilities, we can give God the credit and tell others how great He is. That doesn't mean we can't be happy about our gifts; it just means we remember where they come from.
Questions People Ask
What does it mean to boast in the Lord?
Boasting in the Lord means making God the object of your confidence, joy and praise. It does not mean pretending to be humble. It means honestly recognizing that everything good in your life, your abilities, your salvation, your worth, comes from God, not from yourself. You can still feel good, but you know where the goodness comes from.
Is boasting always wrong?
Not in itself. The word 'boast' in Greek (kauchaomai) can be positive or negative. What matters is the object. Boasting in your own wisdom, strength or wealth is foolish because those things are temporary and not ultimately yours. Boasting in the Lord is a way of rejoicing in who God is and what He has done. So the impulse to feel proud is not evil; it just needs to be directed to the right place.
Why does Paul quote Jeremiah 9?
Paul is echoing the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, who warned against trusting in human wisdom, might or riches. Instead, Jeremiah said that the only thing worth glorying in is knowing God. Paul applies that directly to the Corinthians: they were glorying in their favorite teachers and their own supposed wisdom. The quote reminds them that real knowledge is found in Christ, and that is where glory belongs.
How can I boast in the Lord without becoming proud?
When you boast in the Lord, you are not claiming anything for yourself. You are simply pointing to God. Think of it like a child who shows off a gift their parent gave them, they are not proud of themselves, they are proud of the gift. Similarly, boasting in the Lord is saying 'Look at what my Father has done.' That keeps your heart humble and God exalted.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study