… so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Summary: Paul’s use of the word “boast” allows us to take another look at our dual nature in Christ.
“Boasting” is an interesting word. The Greek word Paul used is “kaúchēma,” which can mean “boasting,” “glorying,” or “rejoicing” (Strongs G2745*). The Strong’s Concordance adds an interesting note about this word. It says it can be used in a “good or bad sense.”
To understand what this means, it helps to remember that Christians have a dual nature.
On the one hand, we live in a body that was corrupted when Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree. The “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:17) caused a permanent change to our ancient ancestors.
The moment that poisonous fruit touched their lips, their relationship with God changed, as did the way their bodies worked. Now, instead of living a life of unquestioning faith in God, they questioned everything.
Before they ate the forbidden fruit, they were both “naked, and they felt no shame” (Genesis 2:25). As soon as they ate the fruit, they noticed they were naked and they felt shame (Genesis 3:7).
Their ability to trust completely in God had been shattered. The Bible doesn’t say this directly, but I get the impression that their nakedness was not just physical. They suddenly realized that they were spiritually naked before God. After they had clothed themselves with fig leaves to hide their bodies from each other, they then hid themselves from God (Genesis 3:10).
I mention all of this because our normal way of boasting is an expression of pride of self. Adam and Eve had the sense to be ashamed before God, but their descendants rebelled openly. One of those descendants was Herod Agrippa I. One of many “Herod’s” in the Bible, this Herod vainly accepted the praise of his people, claiming he had the “voice of a god” (Acts 12:22). Accepting this praise was a form of boasting, and God dealt with him harshly because of his pride†.
The kind of boasting Paul is referring to is “boasting in Christ Jesus.” To boast in Jesus Christ is to bring glory to our Lord. To boast in Jesus because of Paul is not, as some might assume, human boasting. We know from Paul’s writings that he assigns all credit to Jesus. (Paul illustrates this in Philippians 1:15-16 where he discusses the difference between preaching out of love and preaching out of “selfish ambition.” See also 1 Corinthians 1:31.)
Our dual nature is only seen from the believer’s perspective. The unbeliever has only one point of view, the believer has two. To boast in the flesh is to point to ourselves. To boast in the Spirit is to point to God.
Application: Be mindful of the difference between the Spirit and the flesh.
Food for Thought: How would a visit from Paul help the Philippians to “abound” in their boasting in Jesus?
*”G2745 – kauchēma – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 19 Jun, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2745/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
**Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 19.8.2
† See Acts 12: 19-23
I think a visit from Paul would show the Philippians that even though Paul had suffered in the name of Christ, the suffering had not caused bitterness in him, but rather greater faith and joy in Christ. There would have been those in Philippi that had known Paul before many of the times in his life that he suffered persecution, beatings, and imprisonment, so they would have seen the result of Paul’s continuing faith in Christ, the “before” and “after.” Also, those that did not know Paul would have the opportunity to listen and learn about him. I think this would be a living demonstration of faith in Christ, and give the Philippians cause to rejoice in the power of Christ, boast in His efficacy.
I know if we think about our own lives, the “before” and “after,” the “I used to be” but now “I am this in Christ,” we cannot help but to boast in what the Lord has done in our lives.
Thank you, Chris!
I like your phrase, “living demonstration of faith in Christ.” I pray that all believers would become exactly that.