κενῶς (kenōs)
kenōs
vainly
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb kenōs means to act or speak with no real result or purpose. Derived from the root for "empty," it describes efforts that fail to achieve their intended goal, rendering them futile. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in James 4:5, where it modifies a statement about God’s spirit dwelling within believers.
Its usage carries significant weight in its single occurrence. The context suggests that human jealousy and selfish ambition are empty actions because they ignore the powerful presence of God’s Spirit who opposes such pride. By describing these behaviors as kenōs, the text highlights their fundamental uselessness against divine grace.
This rare term emphasizes that not all striving is meaningful. When actions contradict the inner reality of God’s presence, they become void. The word serves as a sharp reminder that spiritual vitality cannot be manufactured through human effort alone, but depends on alignment with the Spirit who dwells within.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kenōs describes actions or words that end up empty, like shouting into a void where no echo returns. In James 4:5, it warns us that striving for status through jealousy and selfish ambition is ultimately futile. These efforts fail because they ignore the powerful presence of God’s Spirit who already dwells within believers.
Understanding this word brings relief. It reminds us that spiritual vitality cannot be manufactured through human effort alone. When our actions contradict the inner reality of God’s grace, they become void. Instead of exhausting ourselves trying to earn favor, we can rest in the truth that God’s Spirit yearns for us with a jealous love.
This perspective shifts our focus from self-promotion to reliance on divine grace. It invites us to examine our motives and align them with the Spirit who opposes pride. By letting go of empty striving, we open space for the genuine work of God in our lives, finding peace in His sufficient presence rather than our own inadequate efforts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in vain1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κενῶς1×
Key Verses
-
James 4:5
Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously”?
This verse uniquely uses kenōs to label human jealousy and selfish ambition as futile actions that ignore the yearning presence of God's Spirit.