Boast in the LORD

 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).

One of the pitfalls of pursuing a biblical education, formally or informally, is spiritual pride. There is something about knowledge that tends to puff up one’s ego. Paul in dealing with the subject of food sacrificed to idols makes the following statement. Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies (1 Corinthians 8:1).

God wants us to have knowledge. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7a). However, the knowledge we gain should be used to understand and worship our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ His Son. 

By all means increase your biblical knowledge, but use it to edify others and not to win arguments. Having been one of the foolish, it would be tempting to use your new found advantage to flaunt it over others and satisfy your past envy. Please forgive the harshness, but pride often requires a hammer and a chisel as it is not easy to remove.

So, remember your calling. Even if you were intellectually superior you were spiritually dead. You were without hope, but God showed you mercy. Therefore, do boast, but boast in the Lord.