S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

In 1 Corinthians 13, the famous Bible chapter on love, the apostle Paul details God's greatest gift. Part of the description of love is a list of negatives-what love is not. One of these negatives,...

Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.

July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

James Kraft Supporter 74 year old retired pipeline worker

We are all sinners saved by grace. We have nothing to boast in but the Cross. If Jesus blood sacrifice for all sin was not sufficient to save us, no one would be saved because we are all sinners. First John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But thank God Jesus took all of our sins upon Him so that we do not have to go to hell to pay for them.

So why should we hold others in contempt when we our selves are corrupt? What did we do for our salvation? Nothing. Jesus paid it all, and we did nothing for it... Should we not show grace to others? We have nothing to boast in. We are all saved the same way. That Jesus died for all our sins, according to the scripture, that He rose again on the third day, according to the scripture. First Corinthians 15:1-4

Galatians 5:15 If we bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed on of another. We are to show grace to others on doubtful things. Romans 14:4 For God is able to make him stand.

Love does not boast in our own righteousness. Love's only boast is Jesus' righteousness. We all fall short of the glory of God, and should show grace to others who do not live up to our standard of holiness. Colossians 2:20-23

Love is kind, bearing one another's burdens with gladness of heart. Love does not pick at every little thing others do, to make our selves more righteous. Love says we are to consider others better than ourselves. Love is humility knowing that we are all sinners, and we are not perfect either.

God is love. We love Him because He first loved us and gave Himself for us.
Jesus came to forgive sin, not to condemn us. Should we not show that grace to others? Grace is love. Without grace, their would be no salvation. 

Love is do unto others as you would have them do unto you in action. It is compassion instead of judging. It can only come from the spirit in us. Ephesians 1:13

May 29 2017 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does it mean that love does not boast?

That love does not boast means that love is not self-centred, proud, or arrogant. Instead of bragging about accomplishments to gain importance, love focuses on the needs of others, promotes humility, and refrains from exaggerating its importance. True love is concerned with exalting God and serving others, not with seeking praise for oneself. 

Note Paul's words in 1 Cor 9:16: For if I am telling the glad-message, it is with me no matter of boasting; for necessity upon me lieth,—for it is woe to me if I should not be telling the glad-message.

The apostle Paul knew that wholehearted acceptance of and obedience to the good news results in salvation, whereas rejection of it can bring destruction. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8) 

Paul felt accountable to God for his ministry. In fact, Paul and his associates appreciated their ministry so much that they carefully avoided even giving the appearance of making financial gain from it. 

Moreover, Paul's heart impelled him to say: "If, now, I am declaring the good news, it is no reason for me to boast, for necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe is me if I did not declare the good news!"—1 Corinthians 9:11-16.

True love is concerned with exalting God and serving others, not with seeking praise for oneself. 

Conclusion:

Boasting is a selfish action of talking highly of oneself to seem important. Love replaces this with humility, focusing on others' needs rather than one's own accomplishments. 

Lesson:

The behaviour of boasting can lead to division, as seen in the Corinthian Congregation, where people bragged about their allegiances to different apostles. Love serves as a corrective to this arrogant behaviour. 

1 Corinthians 13 means that genuine love is humble, selfless, and seeks to build others up rather than inflating one's own importance.

Boasting is the outward display of pride that seeks to gain attention for oneself at the expense of others, often to cover up feelings of inferiority.

The command not to boast encourages a posture of gratitude toward God, acknowledging that all good things come from Him, which in turn fosters a humble and reverent heart. 

The apostle Paul severely reproved the congregation, showing that there was no room for them to boast in anyone but God and what He had done for them. (1Co 1:28, 29; 4:6, 7) 

The rule was: "He that boasts, let him boast in God."​—1Co 1:31; 2Co 10:17.

And, Jesus' half-brother James went even further in condemning those who boasted about specific worldly projects they were intending to carry out, telling them: "You take pride in your self-assuming brags. All such taking of pride is wicked”​—Jas 4:13-16; compare Pr 27:1.

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report