In Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul seems to preclude boasting:
KJV Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
However, in the following verses, I understand that Paul is saying that we should help restore others who have fallen into sin, and that we should also be careful we don't fall into temptation ourselves. However, what does Paul mean when he asks people to examine their own work, and then based on the aforementioned work's quality, he/she can boast in his/her work alone? What is Paul trying to tell us in the bold verses below? Could someone please elaborate? Aren't we only supposed to boast in Jesus Christ?
Galatians 6:1-5(NASB)
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load.
Update, I think that Bible translation versions are also important. In my opinion, when the words suggest rejoicing as opposed to boasting then it makes more sense.
New International Version Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,
New Living Translation Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.
English Standard Version But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
Berean Study Bible Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.
Berean Literal Bible But let each test his own work, and then he will have the ground of boasting in himself alone, and not in another.
New American Standard Bible But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
King James Bible But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Christian Standard Bible Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else.
Contemporary English Version Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don't compare yourself with others.
Good News Translation You should each judge your own conduct. If it is good, then you can be proud of what you yourself have done, without having to compare it with what someone else has done.
Holman Christian Standard Bible But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else.
International Standard Version Each person must examine his own actions, and then he can boast about his own accomplishments and not about someone else.
NET Bible Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else.
New Heart English Bible But let each one test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English But a man should prove his work and then he will have pride in himself and not in others.
GOD'S WORD® Translation Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others.
New American Standard 1977 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
Jubilee Bible 2000 But let everyone prove his own work, and then he shall have glory regarding only himself, and not in another.
King James 2000 Bible But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
American King James Version But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
American Standard Version But let each man prove his own work, and then shall he have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbor.
Douay-Rheims Bible But let every one prove his own work, and so he shall have glory in himself only, and not in another.
Darby Bible Translation but let each prove his own work, and then he will have his boast in what belongs to himself alone, and not in what belongs to another.
English Revised Version But let each man prove his own work, and then shall he have his glorying in regard of himself alone, and not of his neighbour.
Webster's Bible Translation But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Weymouth New Testament But let every man scrutinize his own conduct, and then he will find out, not with reference to another but with reference to himself, what he has to boast of.
World English Bible But let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor.
Young's Literal Translation and his own work let each one prove, and then in regard to himself alone the glorying he shall have, and not in regard to the other,