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 changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever, amen.
For speaking extravagant words of vanity, they entice with carnal desires of lewdness those scarcely escaped from them, those living 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 teachings and commandments of men.
but in vain do they worship me, teaching for teachings the commandments of men;
For the creation was subjected to a perishable condition, not willingly, but by him that subjected it, in hope
For the creation was subjected to a perishable condition, not willingly, but by him that subjected it, in hope
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 to me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, but not I but the grace of God with me.
and if Christ has not been raised, then both our preaching is vain, and your faith also vain;
and if Christ has not been raised, then both our preaching is vain, and your faith also vain;
and if Christ was not raised, your faith is vain, you are yet in your sins,
and if Christ was not raised, your faith is vain, you are yet in your sins,
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
This I say then and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the other gentiles walk, in the vanity of their minds,
This I say then and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the other gentiles walk, in the vanity of their minds, with their understandings darkened, alienated from the life of God on account of the ignorance which is in them, on account of the hardness of their hearts,
But foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes and contentions about the law, avoid; for they are unprofitable and vain.
But if any one among you thinks he is religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his mind, that man's religion is vain.
But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
For speaking extravagant words of vanity, they entice with carnal desires of lewdness those scarcely escaped from them, those living in error, promising them liberty, when they themselves are servants of corruption; for by whatever a man is overcome, to this is he made a servant.