Later text
Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Intertextuality Pair
Quotation
Later text
Rather, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Earlier text
But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.
Earlier text
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
Paul quotes Jeremiah 9:23-24 (also used in 1 Corinthians 1:31), making this a foundational principle across his Corinthian correspondence. Jeremiah's judgment context warns against boasting in wisdom, might, or riches - true boasting is knowing the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. Paul applies this against "super-apostles" boasting in eloquence, credentials, and visions. Instead, Paul boasts in weaknesses (11:30; 12:5, 9), sufferings (11:23-29), and divine commission (10:13-16), radically subverting worldly standards. The quotation establishes that authentic ministry flows from knowing God, not self-promotion. Christ's power is perfected in apostolic weakness (12:9-10), demonstrating that only God's commendation matters (10:18).
NT Use Pattern: Proverbial — Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. Paul cites the same wisdom maxim a second time — its proverbial weight is the warrant.