by Tom Volker
(Orange County California)
Though arrogant pride is condemned, the Scriptures also demonstrate a proud pleasure that is acceptable to our God.
2 Corinthians 1:12
For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.
2 Corinthians 1:14
just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:12
We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.
Philippians 1:26
so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
2 Thessalonians 1:4
therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.
It is therefore reasonable to say that God was proud of His Son when He said, "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." Mark 1:11
It is also possible that He is proud of you for being obedient and willing to share this beautiful teaching on this website.
Thank you for your faithfulness,
Love in Him, Tom V.
Reply from Watchman Bob:
Tom,
It's interesting that you would go to so much trouble to justify using a term ("proud") the Bible, correctly translated, condemns. To me, that just indicates how diabolically deceptive that evil spirit of pride is.
I am publishing your commentary because it is a perfect example of how deceitful Satan is - not that you are Satan, but you are deceived by him.
I don't know from which Bible version you are quoting, but the Greek word translated "proud" in the verses you quote is kauchema, which, according to Strong's dictionary/concordance, means "boast," "glory" or "rejoice," depending on the context. The King James Version translates it as "rejoice" in the verses you listed. And that is obviously, in light of all the negative things the Bible says about pride (Proverbs 6:16-17 calls it an abomination), how it is used in these verses.
Satan is subtle. He loves to deceive us by omitting, adding or changing a word of Scripture here and there. Giving pride a positive connotation is a prime example.
Yes, it is right for Yahuah ("God") to be proud and to boast, because He is the source of all that is good and it is for His glory (not ours) that we exist. So, I will be perfectly satisfied if, in the end, He will say of me, as He said of His Son, "With him, I am well pleased." But that's not because there is any innate goodness in me, as there was in His Son, but simply because I am saved by His grace and am a reflection of His goodness, not my own.
And, rather than being proud of myself, I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for the "beautiful teaching" on this website and that it has been a blessing to you.
May Yahovah keep us humble.
Bob
Comments for Proud (Arrogance) vs Proud (Pleasure)
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Common English translations of Hebrew and Messianic terms used in this commentary:
Yehovah - the LORD or GOD
Yah - I Am (the short form of Yehovah)
Elohim - God
El - God (the short form of Elohim)
Adonai - my Lord or Master
Yeshua - Jesus
Followers of Yeshua -
Christians
Messiah - Christ
Assembly of Followers of
Yeshua - the Church
Antimessiah - Antichrist
BBM - Before the Birth of
the Messiah (rather than
BC or BCE)
ABM - After the Birth of the Messiah (rather than AD
or CE)
For a complete explanation of Hebrew terms used, go to Important Terms and Concepts.