Boastful (2755) (kenodoxos from kenos = empty or vain + doxa = glory or praise) is an adjective which refers literally to empty glory and thus describes those who are vainly glorifying (glorying without reason, glory without basis), self-conceited (or conceit), desirous of vain-glory or eager for empty glory. This word describes one who has an exaggerated self-image, boasting where he or she has literally nothing to boast about! Kenodoxos reflects the attitude of being puffed up with pride, arrogant, boastful and of “setting value on things not really valuable”. We need to continually guard against the desire of the flesh which wants to make a name for itself or to have a certain reputation (such as one who is very "spiritual"). Martin Luther wrote that... Love of vainglory is a common vice the whole world through, in all conditions. No village so small but there be one or two peasants therein, that will fain be taken for wiser and better than the rest. It is so pleasant to be pointed at with the finger and hear it said: “See, there is a man that is fit for anything!” This vice is common, yet nowhere does it such harm as to those who fulfil a spiritual function and service in the Church. Spurgeon once wrote... I recollect a little town where there was a chapel, the people connected with which thought that if they could only buy a chandelier that was on sale, they would cut out all the other chapels entirely, and everybody would feel that they were made weighty and respectable people, and that the place would be filled with people to see the chandelier. I believe for a time it was, but its light grew dim, and they found that was not the way in which the light of the kingdom of God was to be spread. Matthew Henry warns that Paul... cautions them against being desirous of vain-glory, or giving way to an undue affectation of the esteem and applause of men, because this, if it were indulged, would certainly lead them to provoke one another and to envy one another. Proverbs reminds (and forewarns) us that... The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is tested by the praise accorded him. (Pr 27:21) (Ryrie comments that "A man's response to praise is a test of his character. Self-depreciation may reflect false pride." Ryrie Study Bible) The related noun kenodoxia is used in Philippians where Paul instructs the believers in the church at Philippi to Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit (kenodoxia), but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude (present imperative) in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (See notes Philippians 2:3; 2:4; 2:5) Notice from this previous passage that the antidote here for boasting is humility manifest by considering others more important and looking out for their personal interests. This supernatural attitude is found in Christ and is commanded of His followers! But here in Galatians, we see that it is only possible by yielding to the Spirit, step by step. The sad commentary is this word describes a person who is void of real worth but who wants to be admired by others. This is the only NT use (none in LXX) of kenodoxos. Vincent writes that kenodoxos... means having a vain conceit of possessing a rightful claim to honour. Suidas defines any vain thinking about one’s self. It implies a contrast with the state of mind which seeks the glory of God. The modes in which vainglory may show itself are pointed out in the two following participles, provoking and envying. (Word Studies in the New Testament) Matthew Poole writes... ambition or vain-glory is a natural corruption, disposing us to boast and commend ourselves, and to seek the honour and applause of men. (Matthew Poole's Commentary on the New Testament) Hogg and Vine comment that... Vainglorying challenges competition, to which the stronger-natured respond in kind, while those who are weaker are moved to envy” (Hogg and Vine, Galatians, p. 305). MacDonald adds that... Men living under law often become proud of their miserable achievements, and taunt those who do not come up to their standards, and legalistic Christians will often run down other Christians who don’t have the same lists of borderline things that they condemn... Law-keepers desire false glory. True greatness is to serve unnoticed, to labor unseen. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or Logos) Barton gives a needed caution writing that... Pride makes us perpetually vulnerable to temptation. When Satan can’t stop our spiritual growth, his tactic immediately changes to using pride. As soon as we notice progress, we should expect pride to set in. This will especially be true if we measure our growth against the progress others are making. Growth should be cause not for pride but for humility and thanksgiving because it comes from God. (The Life Application Bible Commentary New Testament) George draws out a practical and pithy application noting that... The translation of the KJV, “Let us not be desirous of vainglory,” suggests that some of the Galatians were preoccupied with seeking popular acclaim and the high esteem of others. Such an attitude belongs to the world of the flesh, not to the life of the Spirit. In any event, this lust for the limelight led to disastrous results for the fellowship of the Galatian churches: they began to provoke and envy one another... There is another implication of this verse that has particular relevance for us today. Galatians was written as a circular letter addressed to several congregations within a particular geographical region. Some of the provocation and envy Paul condemned in Galatians 5:26 may have taken place not only within local churches but also among them. Today how much pride-filled glorying and invidious competition there is among ministers, churches, seminaries, and denominations. How we love to glory in our distinctions even, nay especially, when they are about such trivial, nonessential matters as personality, style, and social standing. How all of this must blunt our witness, harden the lost, and grieve the Holy Spirit! May God deliver us all from such vainglory and cause us to only glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14). (Ibid)