κενοδοξία
kenodoxía
G2754 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Conceit or vanity; the act of boasting or seeking admiration without true merit. More broadly, refers to an unfounded or hollow display of pride, status, or importance. In certain contexts, 'kenodoxía' also describes pretentiousness, showiness, or a desire for recognition unsubstantiated by reality.
Semantic Range
empty pride, vain-glory, groundless boasting, pretentiousness, baseless self-conceit, hollow or unfounded display of status
Root / Etymology
From the noun κενοδοξία, derived from the adjective κενόδοξος (kenódoxos: 'empty of reputation', 'boastful', 'vain'), itself from the combination of κενός ('empty', 'vain') and δόξα ('opinion', 'reputation', 'glory'). Thus, 'kenodoxía' literally means 'empty glory' or 'empty pride'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, the underlying adjective κενόδοξος appears as early as Plato indicating an empty pretender or someone given to vain display. The noun κενοδοξία is rare outside Koine sources, with the main attestation in the New Testament (Philippians 2:3), where it denotes an attitude of self-important boasting or regard for personal prestige rather than genuine merit or worth. The term can contrast with 'true honor' (ἀληθής δόξα) or 'humility' (ταπεινοφροσύνη). English translations often render it as 'vain-glory' or 'conceit', though these terms may fail to capture the sharpness of the original critique of hollow or baseless self-exaltation. In Hellenistic and philosophical writings, related words contrast authentic reputation and socially-empty displays of pride. While the concept appears in ethical discussions (e.g. Stoic critiques of false pride), κενοδοξία itself is not widespread in pre-Christian literature, and its use in early Christian contexts marks it as a term of negative moral evaluation focused on empty ambition, boasting, or false esteem.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κενόδοξος; empty glorying, i.e. self-conceit:--vain-glory.
Root Family
κενοδοξία (kenodoxia) — empty glory, vain pride, baseless reputation-seeking
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2754-01 |
κενοδοξίαν | kenodoxian | N ACC F SG |
vainglory | empty glory | empty glory | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2754-01 |
Philippians 2:3 | κενοδοξίαν | kenodoxian | N ACC F SG |
vainglory | empty glory | empty glory |