Bible Dictionaries
Vain, in Vain, Vainly

　　A — 1: κενός ►

　　(Strong's #2756 — Adjective — kenos — ken-os' )

　　"empty," with special reference to quality, is translated "vain" (as an adjective) in Acts 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:10,14 (twice); Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 2:8; James 2:20; in the following the neuter, kenon, follows the preposition eis, "in," and denotes "in vain," 2 Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 2:2; Philippians 2:16 (twice); 1 Thessalonians 3:5 . See EMPTY , B, where the applications are enumerated.

　　A — 2: μάταιος ►

　　(Strong's #3152 — Adjective — mataios — mat'-ah-yos )

　　"void of result," is used of (a) idolatrous practices, Acts 14:15 , RV, "vain things" (AV, "vanities"); (b) the thoughts of the wise, 1 Corinthians 3:20; (c) faith, if Christ is not risen, 1 Corinthians 15:17; (d) questionings, strifes, etc., Titus 3:9; (e) religion, with an unbridled tongue, James 1:26; (f) manner of life, 1 Peter 1:18 . For the contrast between No. 1 and No. 2 see EMPTY.

　　Note: For mataiologoi, Titus 1:10 , see TALKERS (vain).

　　B — 1: ματαιόω ►

　　(Strong's #3154 — Verb — mataioo — mat-ah-yo'-o )

　　"to make vain, or foolish," corresponding in meaning to A, No. 2, occurs in Romans 1:21 , "became vain."

　　B — 2: κενόω ►

　　(Strong's #2758 — Verb — kenoo — ken-o'-o )

　　"to empty," corresponding to A, No. 1, is translated "should be in vain" in 2 Corinthians 9:3 , AV. See EFFECT , EMPTY , VOID.

　　C — 1: μάτην ►

　　(Strong's #3155 — Adverb — maten — mat'-ane )

　　properly the accusative case of mate, "a fault, a folly," signifies "in vain, to no purpose," Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7 .

　　C — 2: δωρεάν ►

　　(Strong's #1432 — Adjective — dorean — do-reh-an' )

　　the accusative of dorea, "a gift," is used adverbially, denoting (a) "freely" (see FREE , D); (b) "uselessly," "in vain," Galatians 2:21 , AV (RV, "for nought"). See CAUSE , A, under "without a cause."

　　C — 3: εἰκῇ ►

　　(Strong's #1500 — Adverb — eike — i-kay' )

　　denotes (a) "without cause," "vainly," Colossians 2:18; (b) "to no purpose," "in vain," Romans 13:4; Galatians 3:4 (twice); 4:11. See CAUSE , A, Note (1), under "without a cause."