James 4:16

"But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil"."But as it is" -"But here you are, boasting in your proud pretensions!" (Mof). "boast in your arrogance" -The word "arrogance" means "empty, braggart talk" (Thayer p. 25). "The word signifies the self deceived and groundless confidence in the stability of life and health on which the worldly pride themselves. On this foundation your boastful speeches (and plans) are built" (Alford p. 1619). "The basic idea of James's term is pretentiousness or arrogance. These merchants were proud of their abilities, made no secret of the fact, and conveyed the impression that they were fully capable of accomplishing by their own abilities whatever they set out to do" (Kent p. 165).

Compare with 1 John 2:16 "the boastful pride of life": "It denotes the disposition to claim cleverness, strength, skill; hence, sufficiency; and, of course, without God…..Bad as it is to feel independent of God, it is worse to glory in it, and to boast of it to others" (Woods p. 252). Carefully note, that such boasting might simply have been in regard to their commercial lives….they may have been very pious in services and at home. But we need to be reminded that no part of life is outside the rule of God."all such boasting is evil" -"All such pride is wrong" (Gspd). "All such"-arrogance in any area of our lives, not just in reference to business enterprises---is wrong. It is wrong because it is the attitude that. can live without God,. don't need Him, it is where. have elevated myself to the status that only belongs to God. "We must ever remember that God is the superintendent of the universe; we are the creatures of his hand; and we should conduct ourselves accordingly" (Woods p. 252). And yet there are things that we need to boast about (1 Thessalonians 2:19; Galatians 6:14).