Reference: Vanity
American
Does not usually denote, in Scripture, self-conceit or personal pride, 2Pe 2:18, but sometimes emptiness and fruitlessness, Job 7:3; Ps 144:4; Ec 1. It often denotes wickedness, particularly falsehood, De 32:21; Ps 4:2; 24:4; 119:37, and sometimes idols and idol-worship, 2Ki 17:15; Jer 2:5; 18:15; Jon 2:8. Compare Paul's expression, "they turned the truth of God into a lie," Ro 1:25. "In vain," in the second commandment, Ex 20:7, is unnecessarily and irreverently. "Vain men," 2Sa 6:20; 2Ch 13:7, are dissolute and worthless fellows.
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who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For by speaking boastful words of folly, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, and through lasciviousness, those who had really escaped from those who live in error.
Hastings
The root-idea of the word is 'emptiness.' Skeat suggests that the Lat. vanus (perhaps for vac-nus) is allied to vacuus 'empty.' In English literature 'vanity' signifies (1) emptiness, (2) falsity, (3) vainglory. The modern tendency is to confine its use to the last meaning. But 'vanity' in the sense of 'empty conceit' is not found in the English Bible.
1. In the OT.
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But in vain, do they worship me, teaching precepts, the commandments of men.
In vain do they worship me, teaching precepts, the commandments of men.
For the creature was subject to frailty, (not by its own will, but for his sake who subjected it,)
For the creature was subject to frailty, (not by its own will, but for his sake who subjected it,)
And again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
But, by the grace of God, I am what I am; and his grace, which was bestowed on me, has not been bestowed in vain: but I have labored more abundantly than they all; not I, how ever, but the grace of God which was with me.
And if Christ has not been raised, then vain is our preaching, and vain also your faith.
And if Christ has not been raised, then vain is our preaching, and vain also your faith.
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins.
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins.
Therefore, my be loved brethren, be firm, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; for you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
This I say, therefore, and appeal to you solemnly in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the other Gentiles walk, in the error of their minds,
This I say, therefore, and appeal to you solemnly in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the other Gentiles walk, in the error of their minds, darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
But foolish questions and genealogies and strifes and contentions about the law, avoid; for they are unprofitable and vain.
If any one among you seems to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
But will you know, vain man, that faith without works is dead?
For by speaking boastful words of folly, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, and through lasciviousness, those who had really escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them freedom, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for by whatever any man is overcome, he is also enslaved.