Boasting About Worldly Conformity as a Counter to Others
Boasting about worldly conformity as a counter to others is a practice critiqued in various biblical texts and theological traditions. The Apostle Paul directly addresses this behavior, particularly in his letters to the Corinthians, where he confronts those who measure themselves by worldly standards and compare themselves with one another [2, 7].
In 2 Corinthians 10:12, Paul states, "For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding" [2]. This passage highlights a key problem: self-referential evaluation. John Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, and David Brown interpret Paul's statement as ironic, noting that the charge of self-commendation, falsely leveled against Paul, actually applies to the false teachers in Corinth. These individuals were judging themselves not by divine standards but by their own internal metrics or by comparing themselves to each other, which Paul identifies as a lack of understanding [7]. Matthew Henry further suggests that these adversaries of Paul were likely boasting in outward appearances, which Paul dismisses as a "false rule to make a judgment by" [8].
The concept of "boasting" (Latin: jactantia) is also explored in scholastic theology. Thomas Aquinas defines boasting as "the uplifting of self by words," where a person speaks of themselves "above oneself" [3]. This can occur when someone claims to possess qualities they do not have, or when they exaggerate their actual qualities [3]. Such boasting is seen as opposed to the virtue of truth [3].
The New Testament frequently warns against conformity to "this world." Romans 12:2 instructs believers, "And be not conformed to this world" [4]. John Gill interprets "this world" in two ways: either as the Mosaic dispensation, with its worldly sanctuary and ceremonies, which believers in the Gospel dispensation should not conform to; or, more broadly, as "the men of the world," meaning those who are "carnal and unregenerate" [4]. This implies that adopting the values, practices, or self-promotional attitudes of those outside of faith is a form of worldly conformity that believers should avoid.
The early church fathers also emphasized a separation from worldly ways. Augustine, for instance, speaks of a "voluntary departure" from "the life of this world" as a spiritual death that precedes the dissolution of the mortal body [9]. He also contrasts the "continence of the Manichaeans" with the "customs and notable continence of perfect Christians," who practice chastity not for outward show but as a genuine spiritual discipline [6]. This suggests that true Christian practice involves an internal transformation rather than an outward display designed to impress or compete with others.
John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, discusses the concept of monasticism, noting that while it can be a training for piety, it should not separate individuals from the larger body of the Church or become a means of self-aggrandizement. one tradition argues that true piety involves setting an example of church unity, which stands in contrast to any form of monasticism that fosters separation or pride [5]. Calvin also links human dignity to reason and intelligence, given for a "holy and honourable life," but immediately reminds readers of humanity's "ignominy and corruption" after the fall, leading to dissatisfaction with self and a desire for God [10]. This perspective underscores that true humility, rather than boasting, is the proper response to one's fallen state.
The Apostle Paul himself exemplified a different approach, stating in 1 Corinthians 4:13, "when we are slandered, we encourage. We have become like the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things, until now" [1]. This demonstrates a willingness to embrace humility and even scorn, rather than seeking worldly affirmation or boasting in conformity to societal norms.
Sources
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 4:13 (LEB) — when we are slandered, we encourage. We have become like the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things, until now.”
- 2 Corinthians “For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding. -- 2 Corinthians 10:12”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Boasting, Art. 1: Article: Whether boasting is opposed to the virtue of truth? I answer that, "Jactantia" [boasting] seems properly to denote the uplifting of self by words: since if a man wishes to throw [jactare] a thing far away, he lifts it up high. And to uplift oneself, properly speaking, is to talk of oneself above oneself [*Or 'tall-talking' as we should say in English]. This happens in two ways. For sometimes a man speaks of himself, not above what he is in himself, but above that which he is esteemed by ”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world,.... By this world is meant, either the Mosaic dispensation, and Jewish church state, so called in opposition to , "the world to come", the Gospel dispensation; in which there were a worldly sanctuary, and the rites and ceremonies of which are styled the rudiments and elements of the world; to which believers in the present state are by no means to conform, there being sacrifices and ordinances of another nature, it is the will of God they should observe and attend unto: or else the men of the world are designed, carnal and unregener”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 95: fine, requires a monasticism which may be nothing else than a training and assistant to the offices of piety which are recommended to all Christians. What? When he makes charity its chief and almost its only rule, do we think he praises that combination by which a few men, bound to each other, are separated from the whole body of the Church? Nay, he wishes them to set an example to others of preserving the unity of the Church. So different is the nature of present monachism in both respects, that it would be difficult to find anyth”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 4: Augustine — Anti-Manichaean, Anti-Donatist — CHAP. 31.--THE LIFE OF THE ANACHORETES AND COENOBITES SET AGAINST THE CONTINENCE OF THE MANICHAEANS. (part 1): 65. What must we think is seen by those who can live without seeing their fellow-creatures, though not without loving them? It must be something transcending human things in contemplating which man can live without seeing his fellow-man. Hear now, ye Manichaeans, the customs and notable continence of perfect Christians, who have thought it right not only to praise but also to practise the height of chastity, that you may be res”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 10:12: "We do not presume (irony) to judge ourselves among, or in comparison with, some of them that commend themselves." The charge falsely brought against him of commending himself (Co2 3:1; Co2 5:12), really holds good of the false teachers. The phrase, "judge ourselves of the number," is drawn from the testing of athletes and senators, the "approved" being set down on the roll [WAHL]. measuring themselves by themselves--"among themselves": to correspond to the previous verb, "judge ourselves among them." Instead of measuring themselves by the pu”
- 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 10:7: In these verses the apostle proceeds to reason the case with the Corinthians, in opposition to those who despised him, judged him, and spoke hardly of him: "Do you," says he, "look on things after the outward appearance? Co2 10:7. Is this a fit measure or rule to make an estimate of things or persons by, and to judge between me and my adversaries?" In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despicable with some; he did not make a figure, as perhaps some of his competitors might do: but this was a false rule to make a judgment by. It should seem that some boas”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — LETTER XCV. (part 2): desire to learn . from me that of which you are either equally ignorant or equally well-informed with myself, or rather, of which you know much more perhaps than I do; for you have said with perfect truth, that before we meet the dissolution of . this mortal body, we must die, in a gospel sense, by a voluntary departure, withdrawing ourselves, not by death, but by deliberate resolution, from the life of this world. This course is a simple one, and is beset with no waves of uncertainty; because we are of opinion that we ought”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 37: we were endued with reason and intelligence, in order that we might cultivate a holy and honourable life, and regard a blessed immortality as our destined aim. At the same time, it is impossible to think of our primeval dignity without being immediately reminded of the sad spectacle of our ignominy and corruption, ever since we 211 fell from our original in the person of our first parent. In this way, we feel dissatisfied with ourselves, and become truly humble, while we are inflamed with new desires to seek after God, in whom each”