κενόδοξος

From the study of Didache 3:5

Range of meaning

Built from kenos, 'empty,' and doxa, 'glory, reputation, opinion.' It means conceited or vainglorious: someone who chases honor and image without any substance behind them. Because doxa can also mean 'opinion,' the word sometimes carries a sense of 'puffed up with empty ideas,' but here the idea of reputation dominates.

Against the English

Lake's 'vain-glorious' is accurate but old-fashioned. Modern translations use words like 'conceited' or 'boastful.' To a modern ear 'vain' suggests caring about your looks, which misses the social side: wanting to be seen as important.

How it drifted

In everyday modern English 'vain' has narrowed to self-admiration, especially about appearance. The Greek word is about public standing in a society organised around honor.

Used elsewhere in the period

Galatians 5:26 ('let us not become kenodoxoi') and Philippians 2:3 (do nothing from kenodoxia). 4 Maccabees 2:15 lists kenodoxia next to love of power and boastfulness as violent passions that reason must master.

From the study of Galatians 5:26

Range of meaning

A compound of kenos ("empty, hollow, without substance") and doxa ("reputation, honour, glory, opinion"). It describes a person eager for honour, recognition or prestige that has no real basis: vainglorious, boastful, hungry for status. In Greek ethics it sits close to alazoneia (pretentious bragging) and philotimia (love of honour) in its bad form. The related noun kenodoxia also means "empty opinion", that is, a baseless idea, but in moral contexts it means chasing empty honour.

Against the English

KJV's "desirous of vain glory" keeps both halves (glory, and its emptiness) and the element of craving. BSB/NIV/ESV/WEB "conceited" reduces it to an inflated self-opinion. NASB's "boastful" catches the outward display but not the craving for others' recognition.

How it drifted

"Conceited" in modern English names a personality trait, a private overestimate of oneself. In the honour-based culture of the Greek world, doxa was public: it was the reputation others granted you. Kenodoxia is a competitive hunger for standing in the eyes of the group. The modern word turns a social contest into an inner feeling.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in Polybius and Epictetus of men who are vain and chase honour. LXX: kenodoxia in Wisdom 14:14 (idols came into the world "through the empty glory of men") and in 4 Maccabees' lists of passions (e.g., 2:15, alongside love of rule and boasting). Philo uses the word group often for showy, hollow ambition. In the NT, kenodoxia appears in Phil 2:3 ("do nothing from rivalry or empty glory"), set against counting others above yourself. Didache 3:5 warns: "do not be... vainglorious."