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 worshiped and served the creature above the creator, who is blessed for ever!
For by speaking swelling words of vanity, they allure thro' the desire of the flesh, thro' wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them that 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 for doctrines the commandments of men.
But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by him who subjected it,
For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by him who subjected it,
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain, but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
And if Christ be not raised, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
And if Christ be not raised, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are still in your sins.
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are still in your sins.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not vain in the Lord.
This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles, in the vanity of your mind:
This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles, in the vanity of your mind: Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, by the ignorance that is in them, through the hardness of their hearts:
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
If any one be ever so religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
But art thou willing to know, O empty man, that faith without works is dead?
For by speaking swelling words of vanity, they allure thro' the desire of the flesh, thro' wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them that live in error. While they promise them liberty, themselves are the slaves of corruption; for by whom a man is overcome, by him he is also brought into slavery.