Word Study for G2756 (κενός) | Strong's Concordance

kenós /ken-os'/ Ask about this word

Rootapparently a primary word

Meaningempty (literally or figuratively)

KJV usageempty, (in) vain.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kenós — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word kenós, represented by G2756, is a primary word meaning empty. It appears 18 times in 16 unique verses. The base definition is "empty (literally or figuratively):--empty, (in) vain." This term is used to describe both a literal, physical void and a figurative lack of substance, truth, or effectiveness.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

Biblically, G2756 is applied in both literal and figurative contexts. In a literal sense, it describes being sent away with nothing, as when the rich are "sent empty away" Luke 1:53 or when servants are beaten and sent away empty from the vineyard (Mark 12:3; Luke 20:10). Figuratively, it denotes futility and emptiness of meaning. Paul warns against "vain deceit" Colossians 2:8 and "vain words" Ephesians 5:6. The term is also used to describe a man whose faith is without substance, asking, "O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:20.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which kenós is used:

G1821 exapostéllō (to send away forth, i.e. (on a mission) to despatch, or (peremptorily) to dismiss:--send (away, forth, out)): This verb is often used alongside G2756 to describe the action of dismissing someone empty-handed, as seen when the rich are sent away empty Luke 1:53.
G539 apátē (delusion:--deceit(-ful, -fulness), deceivableness(-ving)): This noun for delusion is paired with G2756 to describe philosophy and tradition that are characterized by "vain deceit" Colossians 2:8.
G3498 nekrós (dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun):--dead): This word is used to describe the state of faith that is without works, directly connecting the concept of a "vain man" to a faith that is dead James 2:20.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2756 underscores the difference between true and false substance.

Worthless Labor: The word is used to describe work or effort that lacks divine purpose. Paul expresses his hope that his labor is not in vain Philippians 2:16 and assures believers that their labor in the Lord is never in vain 1 Corinthians 15:58. This contrasts human effort with Spirit-empowered service.
Empty Doctrine: G2756 is used to warn against hollow philosophies and deceptive teachings. Believers are cautioned not to be deceived by "vain words" Ephesians 5:6 or spoiled by "vain deceit" that follows human traditions Colossians 2:8.
Foundation of Faith: The most critical use of the term is in relation to the resurrection. If Christ has not been raised, then preaching is vain and faith is also vain 1 Corinthians 15:14. The resurrection is presented as the singular event that fills faith with substance and power.

Summary

In summary, G2756 is a versatile term that illustrates emptiness in both a physical and spiritual sense. It ranges from the literal sending away of servants with nothing Mark 12:3 to the profound spiritual consequence of a faith detached from the resurrection of Christ 1 Corinthians 15:14. Through its usage, kenós serves as a stark reminder to distinguish between that which is hollow, deceptive, and futile, and that which is filled with divine truth and eternal purpose.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as an adjective across 18 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Accusative Singular Neuter 5×
Accusative Singular Masculine 3×
Nominative Singular Feminine 3×
Accusative Plural Masculine 1×
Accusative Plural Neuter 1×
Dative Plural Masculine 1×
Genitive Singular Feminine 1×
Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative Singular Neuter 1×
Vocative Singular Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Genitive: Possession or source — often "of".
Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Vocative: Direct address — naming who is spoken to.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
Neuter: Neuter grammatical gender.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 16 verses across 11 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke and 1 Corinthians (3 verses each); never once in the other 16.

Mark

Luke

Acts

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

James

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.