καύχησις
kaúchēsis
G2746 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Boasting; the act or state of expressing pride, exultation, or confidence in something or someone. Primarily denotes the outward expression of personal pride or confidence, often through speech, but can also refer to the content or source of that pride. In various contexts, may signify either positive exultation or self-satisfaction, or negative arrogance and empty self-praise, depending on the speaker’s intent and the object of boasting.
Semantic Range
boasting, exultation, pride, cause or ground of pride, self-satisfaction, arrogant self-praise, legitimate glorying, exultant confidence
Root / Etymology
From Greek καυχάομαι (to boast, exult, glory), itself of uncertain etymology; possibly onomatopoeic or related to expressions of exultation or vocal pride. The abstract noun formation is regular with the suffix -σις, indicating an action or process.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, καύχησις appears rarely and generally conveys a negative nuance—boastfulness, empty pride, or self-aggrandizement—but can also mean pride that is justified by circumstances. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, especially in the letters of Paul in the New Testament, the term is used with considerable nuance: it may have a positive sense (legitimate exultation or commendation, often 'boasting in the Lord' or in what God has done) or a negative one (arrogant or self-centered boasting). Paul frequently contrasts καύχησις based on human accomplishment and that which is rooted in divine action, often subverting traditional Greco-Roman values of honor and glory. English terms like 'boasting,' 'pride,' 'glorying,' or 'exultation' do not always capture the full range of both pejorative and laudatory senses present in the Koine context. The closely related word καύχημα refers more to the cause or ground for boasting, while καύχησις emphasizes the act, manner, or state. In the LXX, the term is rare and lacks the specific theological inflection found in Pauline literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from καυχάομαι; boasting (properly, the act; by implication, the object), in a good or a bad sense:--boasting, whereof I may glory, glorying, rejoicing.
Root Family
καύχησις (kauchēsis) — boasting, exultation, pride
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2746-03 |
καύχησις | kauchesis | N NOM F SG |
boasting | boasting | 6 |
G2746-01 |
καυχήσεως | kaucheseos | N GEN F SG |
of boasting | of boasting | 3 |
G2746-02 |
καύχησιν | kauchesin | N ACC F SG |
boasting | boasting | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2746-03 |
Romans 3:27 | καύχησις | kauchesis | N NOM F SG |
boasting | |
G2746-02 |
Romans 15:17 | καύχησιν | kauchesin | N ACC F SG |
reason for boasting | boasting |
G2746-02 |
1 Corinthians 15:31 | καύχησιν | kauchesin | N ACC F SG |
boasting | boasting |
G2746-03 |
2 Corinthians 1:12 | καύχησις | kauchesis | N NOM F SG |
boasting | |
G2746-03 |
2 Corinthians 7:4 | καύχησις | kauchesis | N NOM F SG |
boasting | |
G2746-03 |
2 Corinthians 7:14 | καύχησις | kauchesis | N NOM F SG |
boasting | |
G2746-01 |
2 Corinthians 8:24 | καυχήσεως | kaucheseos | N GEN F SG |
of boasting | |
G2746-03 |
2 Corinthians 11:10 | καύχησις | kauchesis | N NOM F SG |
boasting | |
G2746-01 |
2 Corinthians 11:17 | καυχήσεως | kaucheseos | N GEN F SG |
of boasting | |
G2746-01 |
1 Thessalonians 2:19 | καυχήσεως | kaucheseos | N GEN F SG |
of boasting | of boasting |