But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

JAMES 4:16KJV
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James 4:16 (KJV)

What does James 4:16 mean?

James 4:16 warns that taking pride in boasting about oneself or one’s plans is wrong, calling this kind of rejoicing “evil.” The verse points out that celebrating one’s own achievements or future successes in a self-centered way is not just misguided, but morally harmful.

James, the brother of Jesus, is writing to early Christians who were acting as if they controlled their own futures, making confident plans without considering God. In this verse, James confronts the attitude of self-sufficiency and pride, emphasizing that such boasting goes against the humility that should mark a believer’s life.

The Greek behind James 4:16

  • καυχᾶσθε (kauchasthe, “rejoice” or “boast”): This word often carries the sense of bragging or taking pride in oneself. Here, it highlights not just happiness, but a self-exalting attitude.
  • ἐν ταῖς ἀλαζονείαις ὑμῶν (en tais alazoneiais hymōn, “in your boastings”): The word ἀλαζονείαις (alazoneiais) refers specifically to empty, arrogant boasting. James is not talking about healthy confidence, but about bragging that is hollow and self-important.
  • πονηρόν (ponēron, “evil”): This word means something morally bad or harmful, not just a minor mistake. James is making a strong statement about the seriousness of this attitude.

Why James 4:16 matters

  • James 4:16 clears up the difference between healthy confidence and arrogant boasting, showing that the problem is not planning or achievement, but prideful self-reliance.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where James urges readers to recognize their dependence on God rather than acting as if they control their own destiny.
  • By calling this kind of boasting “evil,” James emphasizes that prideful attitudes are not just unwise but are actually opposed to the way of life God desires.

Where else these words appear

“boastings” Greek G212 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

“rejoicing” Greek G2746 · used in 12 verses

  • Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we(that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

“rejoice” Greek G2744 · used in 33 verses

  • Romans 2:17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
  • 2 Corinthians 7:14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

“such” Greek G5108 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 9:8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
  • Acts 22:22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
  • 2 Corinthians 10:11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.