Bible Lexicons

Berry's Synonyms of the New TestamentBerry's NT Synonyms

Boaster, Proud, Insolent

ἀλαζών, ὑπερήφανος, ὑβριστής.

ἀλαζών is properly a boaster, who tells great things concerning his own prowess and achievements, with the implied idea that many of his claims are false. This word naturally describes a trait which manifests itself in contact with one's fellow-men, not one which exists simply within the heart. ὑπερήφανος describes one who thinks too highly of himself, describing a trait which is simply internal, not referring primarily to external manifestation, although this is implied. It means one who is proud, the external manifestation when it appears being in the form of arrogance in dealing with others. ὑβριστής describes one who delights in insolent wrong-doing toward others, finds pleasure in such acts. Cruelty and lust are two of the many forms which this quality assumes. These three words occur together in Romans 1:30. They are never used in a good sense. They may be said to move in a certain sense in an ascending scale of guilt, designating respectively "the boastful in words, the proud and overbearing in thoughts, the insolent and injurious in acts" (Cremer).