Bits of Torah Truths – Torah Concept in the NT: Let Us Not Desire Vain Glory – Episode 605
Galatians 5:26
אַל נָא נִהְיֶה שׁוֹאֲפֵי כְּבוֹד שָׁוְא, הַמִּתְגָּרִים וּמְקַנְּאִים אִישׁ בְּרֵעֵהוּ.
#torah#torahwisdom#torahtruth#torahforlife#torah4you#torahtruth
Galatians 5:26
5:26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. (NASB)
https://www.matsati.com/index.php/category/bits-of-torah-truths/
Paul’s warning in Galatians 5:26 against “vain glory” (Greek: kenodoxia, empty pride) has strong thematic parallels in the Torah, though the terminology differs. The Torah consistently critiques self-exaltation, prideful ambition, and rivalry, especially when they disrupt covenantal community or divine order. For example – Tower of Babel: Genesis 11:1–9 Note the Human ambition to “make a name for ourselves” (v.4) Parallel to Gal. 5:26: Desire for self-glory leads to division and divine judgment. The pursuit of renown apart from God results in fragmentation, mirroring Paul’s concern about provocation and envy. – Korah’s Rebellion: Numbers 16 The Levites challenge Moses and Aaron’s leadership, claiming “all the congregation is holy.” Parallel to Gal. 5:26: Conceit and rivalry provoke communal strife. Korah’s desire for status leads to destruction; Paul warns against similar spiritual arrogance. – Miriam and Aaron’s Critique of Moses: Numbers 12 Sibling rivalry rooted in jealousy over Moses’ unique prophetic role. Parallel to Gal. 5:26: Envy and provocation disrupt unity. God defends humility (Moses is called “very meek”) and rebukes self-glorifying comparison. – Deuteronomy’s Warnings Against Pride, Deut. 8:11–17 “Beware lest you say… ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’” Pride leads to forgetting God. Deut. 17:20 Kings must not “exalt themselves above their brothers” Leadership must be humble, not vainglorious. These passages reinforce Paul’s ethic: spiritual life is marked by humility, not self-promotion. Paul’s critique of kenodoxia in Galatians 5:26 echoes Torah narratives where pride leads to division, judgment, or exclusion from divine favor. The Torah doesn’t use the term “vain glory,” but it repeatedly warns against self-exaltation, rivalry, and envy, especially when they threaten covenantal harmony. This is how Paul and the NT taught Torah, the Torah has not passed away!
