### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term κενοδοξία (kenodoxía - `{{G2754}}`) is a compound word derived from κενός (kenos - `{{G2756}}`), meaning "empty" or "vain," and δόξα (doxa - `{{G1391}}`), meaning "glory," "honor," or "opinion." Thus, its core meaning is "empty glory," "vain glory," or "hollow reputation." It denotes a desire for praise or recognition that is unsubstantiated, frivolous, or without genuine merit. More profoundly, it signifies a self-conceit or self-exaltation that is baseless, rooted in one's own inflated opinion rather than in reality or in God's assessment. It describes a state of mind where one is preoccupied with one's own perceived importance, often leading to boastfulness or ostentation. The 'emptiness' implies a lack of true substance, a pursuit of fleeting human applause rather than enduring divine approval.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word κενοδοξία (kenodoxía - `{{G2754}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in [[Philippians 2:3]]. In this pivotal passage, the Apostle Paul exhorts the believers in Philippi: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or from empty conceit (κενοδοξία), but in humility consider others more significant than yourselves."
The context of [[Philippians 2:1-4]] is Paul's fervent appeal for unity, humility, and self-sacrificial love within the Christian community. He lists two specific vices that undermine this unity: ἐριθεία (eritheia - `{{G2052}}`), "selfish ambition" or "rivalry," and κενοδοξία (kenodoxía - `{{G2754}}`), "empty conceit" or "vain-glory." Both are self-centered motivations that stand in stark opposition to the mind of Christ, which Paul immediately presents as the ultimate model of humility ([[Philippians 2:5-8]]).
Kenodoxía here describes an internal disposition that leads one to seek glory or recognition for oneself without true substance, often at the expense of others. It is a mindset that values one's own perceived status or honor above the well-being and significance of fellow believers. This empty self-exaltation naturally leads to disunity, as individuals vie for prominence or recognition, rather than serving one another in love. Paul's instruction to "do nothing from empty conceit" directly precedes the command to "in humility consider others more significant than yourselves," highlighting kenodoxía as the antithesis of true Christian humility (ταπεινοφροσύνη - tapeinophrosyne - `{{G5012}}`).
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of kenodoxía is closely related to, and often overlaps with, several other biblical terms and themes:
* **Antonyms/Contrasts:**
* ταπεινοφροσύνη (tapeinophrosyne - `{{G5012}}`): Humility, lowliness of mind, explicitly contrasted with kenodoxía in [[Philippians 2:3]]. This is the virtue that actively counters empty conceit.
* ἀγάπη (agape - `{{G26}}`): Love, particularly as described in [[1 Corinthians 13:4]], which "does not boast" (οὐ περπερεύεται), demonstrating a lack of kenodoxía.
* δόξα (doxa - `{{G1391}}`): While doxa is part of kenodoxía, it is also used to refer to true glory, especially God's glory. The contrast is between seeking one's own empty glory versus giving glory to God or receiving true glory from Him.
* **Synonyms/Related Vices:**
* ἀλαζονεία (alazoneia - `{{G212}}`): Boastfulness, arrogance, often an outward manifestation of an inward kenodoxía.
* ὑπερηφανία (hyperēphania - `{{G5243}}`): Haughtiness, pride, an elevated sense of self-importance.
* τυφόω (typhoo - `{{G5187}}`): To be puffed up, conceited, blinded by pride. This is seen in passages like [[1 Timothy 3:6]] and [[1 Timothy 6:4]].
* ἐριθεία (eritheia - `{{G2052}}`): Selfish ambition, rivalry, often driven by a desire for personal glory or recognition, as seen alongside kenodoxía in [[Philippians 2:3]].
* κενός (kenos - `{{G2756}}`): Empty, vain, used more broadly to describe anything without substance or purpose.
* κενόω (kenoo - `{{G2758}}`): To empty, to make void, used of Christ "emptying himself" in [[Philippians 2:7]], providing a divine counter-example to kenodoxía.
* **Old Testament Parallels:**
* The concept of הֶבֶל (hebel - `{{H1892}}`), "vanity" or "breath," prevalent in Ecclesiastes, reflects the fleeting and ultimately meaningless nature of human pursuits devoid of God, which resonates with the "empty" aspect of kenodoxía.
* Warnings against pride and arrogance are abundant, such as in [[Proverbs 16:5]]: "Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord."
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of kenodoxía is profound, touching upon the nature of sin, the character of God, and the essence of Christian community.
1. **A Sin of Pride and Self-Exaltation:** At its core, kenodoxía is a manifestation of pride, placing the self at the center of one's aspirations rather than God or others. It represents a distorted view of one's own worth and a misplaced desire for human approval. This stands in direct opposition to the first commandment, which demands exclusive worship of God, and the very nature of a God who shares His glory with no one ([[Isaiah 42:8]]).
2. **Destructive to Community:** As highlighted in [[Philippians 2:3]], kenodoxía is a major impediment to Christian unity and fellowship. When individuals are driven by empty conceit, they naturally become competitive, self-serving, and divisive, undermining the corporate witness and function of the body of Christ. It hinders genuine service and love, replacing them with a focus on personal recognition.
3. **Antithetical to Christ's Example:** The most striking theological implication is its stark contrast with the humility of Christ. Paul immediately follows his warning against kenodoxía with the Christ hymn in [[Philippians 2:5-8]], where Jesus "emptied himself" (ἑαυτὸν ἐκένωσεν - heauton ekenōsen - `{{G2758}}`) and took on the form of a servant. Christ's glory was inherent and divinely bestowed, not sought through self-promotion. His life perfectly modeled the rejection of kenodoxía by embracing servanthood and obedience, even to death on a cross.
4. **Misplaced Source of Glory:** Kenodoxía reveals a fundamental theological error: seeking glory from humans rather than from God. Jesus himself rebuked those who sought "glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God" ([[John 5:44]]). True glory, honor, and commendation come from God alone ([[Romans 2:29]]).
5. **A Call to Humility and God-Centeredness:** Overcoming kenodoxía requires a radical reorientation of one's desires and motivations. It calls believers to cultivate genuine humility (ταπεινοφροσύνη - `{{G5012}}`), to value others above themselves, and to seek God's glory in all things. This transformation is only possible through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who enables believers to walk in the humility of Christ.
### Summary
Kenodoxía (`{{G2754}}`) denotes "empty glory" or "vain conceit," a self-centered desire for recognition that lacks genuine substance or merit. Appearing uniquely in [[Philippians 2:3]], it is presented as a destructive force within the Christian community, directly opposed to the humility and unity that Paul passionately advocates. This vice undermines the corporate witness of the church by fostering rivalry and self-exaltation rather than Christ-like servanthood. Theologically, kenodoxía represents a fundamental sin of pride, a misplaced pursuit of human approval over divine commendation, and stands in stark contrast to the self-emptying humility of Jesus Christ. Overcoming it requires a conscious choice to prioritize the glory of God and the well-being of others above one's own perceived importance.
TRV