Original Word: κενός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: kenos
Pronunciation: keh-NOS
Phonetic Spelling: (ken-os')
KJV: empty, (in) vain
NASB: vain, empty-handed, empty, foolish, futile things
Word Origin: [apparently a primary word]

1. empty
{literally or figuratively}

empty, in vain.

Apparently a primary word; empty (literally or figuratively) -- empty, (in) vain.

2756 kenós – properly, empty, void; hence, worthless ("null"), amounting to zero (of no value, profit).

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
empty
NASB Translation
empty (2), empty-handed (4), foolish (1), futile things (1), vain (10).

STRONGS NT 2756: κενός

κενός, κενή, κενόν (from Homer on down), the Sept. for רֵיקָם, רֵק, רִיק, etc., empty;

1. properly, of places, vessels, etc.,which contain nothing (Judges 7:16; Genesis 37:24); metaphorically, empty, vain; devoid of truth: λόγοι, Ephesians 5:6 (Exodus 5:9); ἀπάτη, Colossians 2:8; κήρυγμα, πίστις, 1 Corinthians 15:14.

2. of men, empty-handed; without a gift: ἀποστέλλειν and ἐξαποστέλλειν τινα κενόν (Genesis 31:42; Deuteronomy 15:13; Deuteronomy 16:16), Mark 12:3; Luke 1:53; Luke 20:10f; metaphorically, destitute of spiritual wealth, of one who boasts of his faith as a transcendent possession, yet is without the fruits of faith, James 2:20.

3. metaphorically, of endeavors, labors, acts, which result in nothing, vain, fruitless, without effect: ἡ χάρις, 1 Corinthians 15:10; κόπος; 1 Corinthians 15:58; ἡ εἴσοδος, 1 Thessalonians 2:1; neuter plural κενά, things that will not succeed, Acts 4:25 (from Psalm 2:1); εἰς κενόν, in vain, to no purpose (cf. Winer's Grammar, 592 (551)): 2 Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 2:2; Philippians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:5 (Isaiah 65:23; Jeremiah 6:29, etc.; Diodorus 19, 9; Heliodorus 10, 30). (Cf. Trench, Synonyms, § xlix.)

Overview of the Idea

The word translated “empty,” “vain,” or “worthless” appears eighteen times in the Greek New Testament. It consistently portrays hollowness—words, efforts, philosophies, or religion that look substantial but lack true substance. The term never suggests mere deficiency; it warns of complete futility wherever God’s truth and power are absent.

Range of New Testament Usage

1. Empty words or promises: Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 2:8
2. Empty religion or faith: James 2:20; 1 Corinthians 15:14
3. Empty labor or ministry: 1 Thessalonians 2:1; Galatians 2:2; Philippians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 15:58
4. Empty reception of messengers: Mark 12:3; Luke 20:10–11
5. Empty bellies and the reversal of fortune: Luke 1:53

The contexts fall naturally into warning passages on one hand and encouragement passages on the other.

Contrast: Emptiness versus Fullness

Scripture contrasts emptiness with fullness in Christ. Humanity’s empty philosophies (Colossians 2:8) are set against “all the fullness of the Deity” dwelling in Him (Colossians 2:9). Empty faith apart from works (James 2:20) bows before the living faith that produces obedience. The empty tomb narrative, while not using this term, stands behind Paul’s insistence that if the resurrection were false, “our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14). Because Christ has risen, the emptiness is overturned and believers’ labor “is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Warnings against Empty Deception

Ephesians 5:6 cautions, “Let no one deceive you with empty words.” The danger is not merely falsehood but seductive nothingness—promises of freedom that enslave. Similarly, Colossians 2:8 exposes systems “based on human tradition” that captivate while providing no true nourishment. These verses guard the church’s doctrinal purity and call her to evaluate teaching by its conformity to Christ.

Empty Religion Exposed

James 2:20 rebukes the “foolish man” whose confession lacks works: “faith without deeds is worthless.” Paul reaches a parallel conclusion regarding the resurrection: without it, both preaching and faith collapse into futility (1 Corinthians 15:14). Empty religion is dangerous because it offers a form of godliness without power, breeding complacency instead of repentance.

Pastoral Encouragement: Labor Not in Vain

Paul often fears that his missionary toil might prove fruitless. He revisits congregations (1 Thessalonians 3:5), revises travel plans (Philippians 2:16), and defends his gospel before influential leaders (Galatians 2:2) so that his labor “would not be in vain.” Yet the resurrection guarantee turns potential emptiness into assured harvest: “be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Narrative Illustrations of Emptiness

The parable of the vineyard (Mark 12:3; Luke 20:10–11) pictures tenants sending returning servants away “empty-handed,” symbolizing Israel’s rejection of prophetic appeals. Luke extends the motif to Mary’s Magnificat: God “has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty” (Luke 1:53), revealing divine reversal—those satisfied with themselves are left hollow.

Old Testament Connections

Hebrew vocabulary such as shav (“vanity”) and reqam (“empty-handed”) prepare the reader for the New Testament concept. Ecclesiastes repeatedly laments “vanity,” and Isaiah rebukes meaningless worship (Isaiah 1:13). The New Testament term thus continues a canonical theme: God abhors form without substance.

Christological Focus

The resurrection anchors every antidote to emptiness. By rising, Christ validated preaching, authenticated faith, and endowed labor with eternal value. Any philosophy or religion detached from Him remains void. Christians therefore combat emptiness not by mere activism but by union with the risen Lord.

Ecclesial and Ministry Significance

• Doctrine: Guard against hollow speculations; measure all teaching by Christ’s person and work.
• Worship: Avoid liturgy that masks spiritual barrenness; pursue Spirit-filled authenticity.
• Service: Evaluate ministries by enduring fruit, not activity alone.
• Discipleship: Encourage believers that because Christ lives, no obedience enacted in His name is wasted.

Contemporary Application

Modern culture prizes novelty and image, yet the biblical warning endures: impressive presentation can conceal vacuity. Churches face the same temptation—to substitute marketing for substance, activism for gospel power. The eighteen occurrences of this term form a unified call to discernment, perseverance, and confidence that only what is rooted in Christ will prove eternally substantial.

κενα κενά κενάς κενε κενέ κενη κενή κενὴ κενήν κενης κενής κενῆς κενοί κενοις κενοίς κενοῖς κενον κενόν κενὸν κενος κενός κενὸς κενοτάφια κενους κενούς κενώ μη kena kená kene kené kenē kenḕ kenes kenês kenēs kenē̂s kenois kenoîs kenon kenón kenòn kenos kenòs kenous kenoúsInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts