I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.
Parallel translations
- WEB I have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
- BSB Therefore I exult in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
- NKJV Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.
- NASB Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.
- NLT So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul says his boasting is in Christ Jesus regarding his service to God. Any glory he claims is in what Christ has done, not in himself.
Overview
Paul speaks of legitimate 'boasting,' but carefully locates it 'in Christ Jesus.' He glories not in personal achievement but in the work of Christ through him in the things of God. This guards against self-exaltation while acknowledging real ministry. It reflects Paul's consistent stance: whatever is accomplished is by grace, so boasting must be in the Lord alone.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 2 Cor 2:14–16Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
- 2 Cor 12:11–21I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
- 2 Cor 7:4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
- 2 Cor 3:4–6And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
- Heb 5:1For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
- 2 Cor 12:1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
- Phil 3:3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
- Heb 2:17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
- 2 Cor 11:16–30I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
- Rom 4:2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 15:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.