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Vainglory

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Vainglory in the Bible?

Vainglory refers to empty glory or pride, akin to vanity in modern sense, and is often used to describe human pride and arrogance.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding vainglory is important for biblical interpretation as it highlights the dangers of human pride and the importance of humility.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Vainglory. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Vainglory in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Vainglory clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Vainglory." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/vainglory/
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