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, indeed, change the truth of God into falsehood; and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever. Amen.
For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice, in desires of the flesh, by their lasciviousness, those just escaping 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 as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
For the creation was made subject to vanity, not of choice, but by reason of Him Who subjected it, in hope
For the creation was made subject to vanity, not of choice, but by reason of Him Who subjected it, in hope
And again, "The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain."
But by God's grace I am what I am; and His grace which was bestowed upon me did not prove vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
and, if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, and vain is your faith;
and, if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, and vain is your faith;
and, if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins!
and, if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins!
Therefore, my beloved brethren, become steadfast, immovable, abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
This, therefore, I say, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,
This, therefore, I say, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their hearts;
But shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strife, and contentions about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
If anyone thinks that he is religious, while he bridles not his own tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
But are you willing to know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is worthless?
For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice, in desires of the flesh, by their lasciviousness, those just escaping from those who live in error; promising them liberty, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what one is overcome by this he has become enslaved.