Definition:
Vain-glorious refers to an excessive display of vanity or unwarranted pride in one's achievements or qualities. It is characterized by a boastful and ostentatious demeanor, often seeking admiration and praise from others. In a biblical context, vain-glory is considered a sin as it elevates self above God and others, contradicting the humility and servitude that Scripture advocates.

Biblical References and Context:
The concept of vain-glory is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, often under the broader themes of pride and humility. While the term "vain-glorious" itself may not appear frequently, the underlying attitude is condemned.

1. Philippians 2:3 :
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves."
This verse warns against actions driven by selfish ambition or "empty pride," which aligns with the notion of vain-glory. The apostle Paul encourages believers to adopt humility, valuing others above themselves, which is the antithesis of vain-glorious behavior.

2. Galatians 5:26 :
"Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another."
Here, Paul admonishes the Galatian church against conceit, which is closely related to vain-glory. Conceit leads to discord and envy, disrupting the unity and love that should characterize the Christian community.

3. Proverbs 16:18 :
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
This proverb highlights the perilous nature of pride, a core component of vain-glory. It serves as a warning that such attitudes lead to downfall and destruction, emphasizing the need for humility.

4. James 4:6 :
"But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"
James reiterates the biblical principle that God opposes the proud, including those who are vain-glorious. In contrast, He extends grace to the humble, underscoring the value God places on humility.

Theological Implications:
Vain-glory is antithetical to the Christian call to humility and selflessness. It reflects a heart that seeks personal glory rather than the glory of God. The Bible consistently teaches that all glory belongs to God alone, and any attempt to usurp that glory is a form of idolatry. The pursuit of vain-glory can lead to a host of other sins, including envy, strife, and division within the body of Christ.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to examine their motives and actions to ensure they are not driven by vain-glory. This involves cultivating a spirit of humility, recognizing that all talents and achievements are gifts from God meant to serve His purposes. Christians are called to reflect the character of Christ, who exemplified ultimate humility by taking on human form and sacrificing Himself for humanity (Philippians 2:5-8).

Historical and Cultural Context:
In the Greco-Roman world, where the New Testament was written, honor and status were highly valued. This cultural backdrop made the Christian call to humility and the rejection of vain-glory countercultural and radical. The early church's emphasis on humility served as a distinctive mark of Christian identity, setting believers apart from the prevailing societal norms.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not use the term "vain-glorious" extensively, the concept is woven throughout Scripture as a caution against pride and self-exaltation. Believers are called to live lives marked by humility, recognizing that true greatness is found in serving others and glorifying God.2755. kenodoxos -- vainglorious
... vainglorious. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: kenodoxos Phonetic Spelling:
(ken-od'-ox-os) Short Definition: vainglorious Definition: vainglorious ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2755.htm - 7k

4068. perpereuomai -- to boast
... 1 Cor 13:4). Word Origin from perperos (vainglorious) Definition to boast
NASB Word Usage brag (1). brag. Middle voice from perperos ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4068.htm - 6k

Grant that Beauty be not to be Feared: Still it is to be Shunned ...
... Book II. Chapter III."Grant that Beauty Be Not to Be Feared: Still It
is to Be Shunned as Unnecessary and Vainglorious. Let it ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter iii grant that beauty be.htm

As to Your Charge of Perjury, Since You Refer Me to Your Book; and ...
... Suppose that some one had seen a dream about you such as might make you vainglorious;
it would have been modest as well as wise in you not to seem to know of it ...
/.../32 as to your charge.htm

Justin the Philosopher Preaches the Word of Christ in Rome and ...
... to be plotted against and put in the stocks [1176] by some one of those whom I have
named, or perhaps by Crescens, that unphilosophical and vainglorious man. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xvi justin the philosopher preaches.htm

Matt. xxiii. 1-3.
... Then, having blamed them for vainglory, He shows that it is not even about great
and necessary things they are vainglorious (for neither had they these, but ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxii matt xxiii 1-3.htm

Matt. xxii. 34-36.
... But to be vainglorious indeed about those other things is nothing wonderful; but
to be so about fasting and prayer, this is strange and lamentable. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxi matt xxii 34-36.htm

Philemon i. 6-Apr
... For as many are vainglorious on account of their not being vainglorious, [1561]
so are they elated on account of their humbling themselves, by reason of their ...
/.../homily ii philemon i 6-apr.htm

The Epistles of Paul.
... Chaps.1:11-13; 3:3-7. Certain vain-glorious teachers, moreover, had come in among
them with a great show of worldly wisdom, who disparaged Paul's apostolical ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxx the epistles of.htm

On the Apparel of Women
... We Must Love Our Neighbour as Ourself. Chapter III.--Grant that Beauty Be Not to
Be Feared: Still It is to Be Shunned as Unnecessary and Vainglorious. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on the apparel of women/

Mysterious visits.
... holiness of God's nature. When we see Jesus, we fall at His feet as dead; till
then, we are alive with vainglorious life. If letters of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/mysterious visits.htm

The First Season
... see a man humble in prosperity,"(says Bernard, ) " is one of the greatest rarities
in the world." Even a good Hezekiah could not hide a vain-glorious temper in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/i the first season.htm

Vainglorious (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Vainglorious (1 Occurrence). Galatians 5:26 Let us not
become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another. (ASV). ...
/v/vainglorious.htm - 6k

Vain-glorious (2 Occurrences)
Vain-glorious. Vainglorious, Vain-glorious. Vainglory . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY). Vainglorious, Vain-glorious. Vainglory . Reference Bible.
/v/vain-glorious.htm - 7k

Vainglory (2 Occurrences)
... is the translation of kenodoxia, "empty glory" or "pride," nearly akin to vanity
in the modern sense (Philippians 2:3). Kenodoxos is "vainglorious" (Galatians 5 ...
/v/vainglory.htm - 8k

Glorious (91 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Eager for glory or distinction; haughty; boastful; ostentatious; vainglorious. ...
word glorious in the sense of "boastful," "vain-glorious," "eager for ...
/g/glorious.htm - 34k

Boasting (42 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Boast. 2. (n.) The act of glorying or vaunting; vainglorious speaking;
ostentatious display. Multi-Version Concordance Boasting (42 Occurrences). ...
/b/boasting.htm - 18k

Boastful (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Given to, or full of, boasting; inclined to boast;
vaunting; vainglorious; self-praising. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/b/boastful.htm - 11k

Challenging (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Challenging (1 Occurrence). Galatians 5:26 Let us not
become vain-glorious, challenging one another, envying one another. (WEY NAS). ...
/c/challenging.htm - 6k

Sennacherib (13 Occurrences)
... "Like the Persian Xerxes, he was weak and vainglorious, cowardly under reverse,
and cruel and boastful in success." He first set himself to break up the ...
/s/sennacherib.htm - 18k

Vain (141 Occurrences)

/v/vain.htm - 36k

Why did God create the world / earth? | GotQuestions.org

Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ true? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus