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 creature instead of the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For when they speak swelling words of vanity, they ensnare in the lusts of the flesh, through their lasciviousness, those who had indeed withdrawn from such as deal in error;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 injunctions of men.
and in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the injunctions of men.
(for the world was subjected to vanity, not willingly, but through him who made it subject:)
(for the world was subjected to vanity, not willingly, but through him who made it subject:)
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 favor to 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 risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
and if Christ be not risen, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
and if Christ be not risen, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, since ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
This I say therefore, and charge you in the name of the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk,
This I say therefore, and charge you in the name of the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, darkened in their understanding, and alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, by reason of the hardness of their heart:
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes and contentions about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain:
If any among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his heart, this man's devotion is vain.
But desirest thou to know, O vain man, that faith without works, is dead?
For when they speak swelling words of vanity, they ensnare in the lusts of the flesh, through their lasciviousness, those who had indeed withdrawn from such as deal in error; promising them liberty, while they themselves are the slaves of corruption: for by whom any one is vanquished, by him he is also enslaved.