katakauchaomai describes boasting in a way set over or against another, whether mercy against judgment or a person against others.

The attested use describes boasting in a comparative or opposing relation: mercy is set against judgment in James 2:13, while hearers are forbidden to set themselves over others amid rivalry in James 3:14 and over the branches in Romans 11:18.

1. Boasting over or against another · dominant

   In James 2:13, the present middle singular form occurs in the clause where mercy stands against judgment; the APB renders it, “mercy boasts against judgment.” In James 3:14 and Romans 11:18, present middle forms occur in prohibitions: the APB renders “do not boast” amid bitter zeal and rivalry, and “do not boast over the branches.”

   James 2:13James 3:14Romans 11:18

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term with “boasts against” in James 2:13 and with prohibitions to “boast” or “boast over” in James 3:14 and Romans 11:18. These are verse-level renderings rather than definitions.