fbpx

Words of Hope Daily Devotional

The Words of Hope Devotional is a non-profit, donor-supported publication whose goal is to encourage readers to grow in faith through the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer. The devotional is available in your email and in print.

Boasting in the Lord

Read: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, 13-18

Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. (v. 17)

The wife of a well-known, brilliant professor once recounted to me a conversation with her future mother-in-law, who gave this advice: “Make sure you don’t compliment him too much. It will go to his head, and he’s already too boastful.”

In Christian circles, “boasting” is almost universally discouraged, whether as an expression of overinflated pride or a cover for deep insecurity. The apostle Paul modeled great humility in his ministry and encouraged the same. Yet in 2 Corinthians 10, he actually endorses “boasting.” In our age of social media posing and political posturing, how can we faithfully apply this part of Paul’s teaching?

We must pay close attention to whom and to what Paul urges us to boast about. Whereas boasting is normally pursued to promote oneself, he reminds Christians of their primary duty to promote Jesus Christ. Paul reassures us that Christ himself will provide any commendation we may need, revealing himself through us and favorably inclining others toward us (v. 18). Finally, Paul reiterates that our remarkable accomplishments are the product not of our ability but God’s power (v. 4). In that sense, we should be proud, and even boast—not of what we’ve done, but of what God is able to do through such humble vessels as you and me. As we celebrate union with Christ, may we also boast in his accomplishments.

As you pray, praise God for his great work in and through you.

About the Author

Ben Van Arragon is a pastor, husband, and father of two teenage daughters.

The Indescribable Gift

Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 God loves a cheerful giver. (v. 7) In the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life, George Bailey spends his life serving others, often at the cost of his dreams. George believes his efforts have been wasted, but

Read More »

Good Grief

Read: 2 Corinthians 7:2-13 Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation. (v. 10) In recent years, protests have erupted across America. Depending on which side of an issue you identify with, you’ll consider a given protest needlessly destructive or

Read More »

Unequally Yoked

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 We are the temple of the living God. (v. 16) When I was growing up, I heard the term “unequally yoked” used to warn against marrying a partner who wasn’t a Christian. But Paul’s caution against being

Read More »

No Time Like the Present

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (v. 2) When I was growing up, my family observed an annual Saint Nicholas Day celebration in early December. We gathered with friends, sang,

Read More »

The New Creation

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. (v. 17) When he made his first foray into television, Fred Rogers hated that medium. He saw it as a platform in which human degradation was turned

Read More »

Home Awaits

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 We have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (v. 1) In college, I took a course that included watching Citizen Kane which, due to my youth and inexperience, I

Read More »

Podcast

Listen to the daily devotional wherever you get your podcasts.

YouVersion Series

Words of Hope devotionals are available on The Bible App!

Books

Autobiographies and reading plans for groups or individuals.