James 4:16 - Exposition

But now. As is actually the case, "ye glory in your vauntings." ἀλαζονεία : only here and in 1 John 2:16 ; in the LXX ., in 2 Macc. 9:8 and Wis. 5:8. It is a favorite word with St. Clement of Rome. On its meaning and distinction from ὑπερηφανία and other kindred words, see Trench on ' Synonyms,' p. 95; and cf. Westcott on the 'Epistles of St. John,' p. 64. The vice of the ἀλάζων "centers in self and is consummated in his absolute self-exaltation, while the ὑπερήφανος shows his character by his overweening treatment of others. The ἀλάζων sins most against truth; the ὑπερήφανος sins most against love." This extract will serve to show the fitness of ἀλαζονεία rather than ὑπερηφανία in the passage before us. The verse should be rendered, as in R.V., "But now ye glory ( καυχᾶσθε ) in your vauntings: all such glorying ( καύχησις ) is evil." καύχησις is the act, not the matter ( καύχημα ), of glorying.