The term "emptily" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible as a standalone word, but the concept of emptiness or actions done in vain is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. This entry explores the biblical understanding of actions or words that are considered empty or devoid of substance, often in the context of faith, worship, and moral conduct.

Biblical Context

1. Vain Worship and Idolatry: The Bible frequently warns against worship that is empty or insincere. In Isaiah 29:13 , the Lord criticizes the people for honoring Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him, resulting in worship that is empty: "Therefore the Lord said: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.'" This passage highlights the emptiness of ritualistic worship that lacks genuine devotion.

2. Empty Words and Promises: The New Testament cautions against the use of empty words, particularly in the context of false teachings and deceit. Ephesians 5:6 warns, "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience." Here, "empty words" refer to deceptive teachings that lead believers away from the truth of the Gospel.

3. Faith Without Works: The Epistle of James addresses the concept of faith that is empty if not accompanied by action. James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This underscores the idea that faith, when not manifested through works, is empty and ineffective.

4. Vain Repetition in Prayer: Jesus teaches against the use of empty phrases in prayer, emphasizing sincerity and simplicity. In Matthew 6:7 , He instructs, "And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard." This admonition is against the emptiness of repetitive and insincere prayer.

5. Empty Philosophies: Colossians 2:8 warns believers to be cautious of philosophies and traditions that are empty and deceitful: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ." This passage highlights the danger of being led astray by teachings that lack the substance of Christ's truth.

Theological Implications

The concept of emptiness in the Bible often relates to the absence of truth, sincerity, or divine purpose. Actions, words, or beliefs that are empty are those that lack the substance and authenticity that come from a genuine relationship with God. The Scriptures call believers to a life of integrity, where faith is demonstrated through action, worship is sincere, and teachings are grounded in the truth of the Gospel.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to examine their own lives for areas where emptiness might be present. This includes ensuring that worship is heartfelt, faith is active, and words are truthful and edifying. By aligning actions and beliefs with the teachings of Scripture, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of emptiness and live lives that are full of purpose and meaning in Christ.7387. reqam -- emptily, vainly
... 7386, 7387. reqam. 7388 . emptily, vainly. Transliteration: reqam Phonetic
Spelling: (ray-kawm') Short Definition: empty-handed. ...
/hebrew/7387.htm - 6k

1891. habal -- to act emptily, become vain
... 1890, 1891. habal. 1892 . to act emptily, become vain. Transliteration: habal
Phonetic Spelling: (haw-bal') Short Definition: foolishly. ...
/hebrew/1891.htm - 6k

1892. hebel -- vapor, breath
... root Definition vapor, breath NASB Word Usage breath (5), delusion (2), emptily
(1), emptiness (2), fleeting (2), fraud (1), futile (1), futility (13), idols (7 ...
/hebrew/1892.htm - 6k

This Work is Written against those who Sophistically Assail the ...
... And hence it is that they who are shut out from the truth by that third kind of
error are more mischievously and emptily vain than their fellows; in that they ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 1 this work is written.htm

God, Although Incomprehensible, is ever to be Sought. The Traces ...
... of them is seen." [944] I have quoted these words from the book of Wisdom for this
reason, that no one of the faithful may think me vainly and emptily to have ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 2 god although incomprehensible is.htm

Psalm LX.
... A valley is humility: salt-pits signify savour. For many men are humbled, but
emptily and foolishly, in empty oldness they are humbled. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lx.htm

Roots
... So the years passed emptily, "and oh, my heart was an empty place, a void as empty
as air!" And she stretched out her arms, and clasping her hands she looked ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter viii roots.htm

The Two Masters, Self and Truth
... And if thou wouldst hear the sweet sound of His speaking,. Be deaf to all voices
that emptily sing. Flee the vanishing places; renounce all thou hast; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/the two masters self and.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

Emptily (2 Occurrences)
...Emptily (2 Occurrences). James 4:5 Do ye think that emptily the Writing saith,
'To envy earnestly desireth the spirit that did dwell in us,' (YLT). ...
/e/emptily.htm - 6k

Emptiness (17 Occurrences)

/e/emptiness.htm - 11k

Emptieth (1 Occurrence)

/e/emptieth.htm - 6k

Envies (2 Occurrences)
... Envies (2 Occurrences). James 4:5 Do ye think that emptily the Writing saith, 'To
envy earnestly desireth the spirit that did dwell in us,' (See NIV). ...
/e/envies.htm - 7k

Desireth (26 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). James 4:5 Do ye think that emptily the Writing saith, 'To envy
earnestly desireth the spirit that did dwell in us,' (YLT). ...
/d/desireth.htm - 14k

Earnestly (78 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). James 4:5 Do ye think that emptily the Writing saith, 'To envy
earnestly desireth the spirit that did dwell in us,' (YLT). ...
/e/earnestly.htm - 28k

Desires (151 Occurrences)
... James 4:5 Do ye think that emptily the Writing saith, 'To envy earnestly
desireth the spirit that did dwell in us,' (See NAS). 1 ...
/d/desires.htm - 36k

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