In the context of the Bible, the concept of "vain" or "vanity" often refers to the fleeting, temporary, and ultimately unfulfilling nature of life when it is lived apart from God. This theme is particularly prominent in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, where the futility of human endeavors without divine purpose is explored.

Ecclesiastes and the Vanity of Life

The Book of Ecclesiastes is the primary biblical text that addresses the vanity of natural life. The author, traditionally identified as Solomon, begins with the declaration, "Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! Everything is futile" (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Throughout the book, the Teacher examines various aspects of life—wisdom, pleasure, work, and wealth—and concludes that all are ultimately meaningless when pursued as ends in themselves.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 states, "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and indeed, all is vanity and a chasing after the wind" . This verse encapsulates the idea that human efforts, when disconnected from a relationship with God, are transient and lack lasting significance.

The Psalms and Human Frailty

The Psalms also reflect on the vanity of human life, emphasizing the brevity and fragility of human existence. Psalm 39:5-6 declares, "Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Truly, each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah. Surely every man walks in futility; like a phantom he bustles about in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away" . This passage highlights the ephemeral nature of life and the futility of amassing wealth and achievements without eternal perspective.

The New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the theme of vanity is addressed in the context of the fallen world and the redemption offered through Christ. Romans 8:20-21 explains, "For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God" . Here, the Apostle Paul acknowledges the vanity of the natural world but points to the hope of redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ.

The Call to Eternal Purpose

The Bible consistently calls believers to transcend the vanity of natural life by seeking eternal purpose and meaning in God. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus instructs, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" . This teaching encourages believers to focus on spiritual and eternal values rather than the temporary and vain pursuits of the world.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of vanity serves as a reminder of the limitations and transience of natural life. It calls individuals to seek fulfillment and purpose beyond the material and temporal, directing them toward a life centered on God and His eternal kingdom.Ecclesiastes 6:12
For who knows what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Schleiermacher -- Christ's Resurrection an Image of Our New Life
... can not be but so; and we try in vain to penetrate ... Christ we do not apprehend it
as a natural and necessary ... during those forty days He led a life apparently so ...
/.../the worlds great sermons volume 3/schleiermacher christs resurrection an.htm

Of the Signs of Good Rapture, and of the Third Species of the Same ...
... to pray to God, not to swear in vain, to love ... kill,"is to live according to man's
natural reason: but ... amidst the world and in this mortal life, contrary to ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi of the signs.htm

On Religion; the Natural and Divine Life; and the Exemplification ...
... dead to all the pleasures of the natural life, it was ... long, and contented myself
so often with vain shadows and ... O that the holy life of the blessed Jesus may ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part i on religion the.htm

Death to Sin's Penalty is the Way Out into a Life of Justification ...
... who is trying to struggle from the natural life into the ... that our efforts after holiness
are as vain as our ... definite way out from the prison life of sruggling ...
/.../trotter/parables of the cross/death to sins penalty is.htm

On the Church of God and of Christ: or on the Church in General ...
... or the object of the vocations, are natural and sinful ... of both, infuses into her
supernatural life, feeling or ... that the glorying of the papists is vain on this ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation l on the church.htm

Psalm XXIII.
... the rod, whereby, whilst a little one, and living the natural life, I was ... how excellent
is it!" And Thy cup yielding forgetfulness of former vain delights, how ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxiii.htm

Philippians i. 18-20
... Attend diligently, I entreat you, lest my labor be vain. ... iii.20.) There is the life
of the body whereof ... not then deny that he lives the natural life, but that ...
/.../homily iii philippians i 18-20.htm

Awake, Thou that Sleepest
... nor "heard his voice," nor "handled the word of life." In vain is the name ... no spiritual
senses, no inlets of spiritual knowledge, the natural man receiveth ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 3 awake thou that.htm

The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration
... First of all as to natural life, we are all dependent upon His good pleasure ... The
wolves of disease will hurt us in vain until God shall permit them to overtake ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the godhood of god/2 the absolute godhood of.htm

Vain Toil
... result follows, not by miracle, but by natural necessity. ... with him.' 'Your labour
is not in vain to the ... A godless life is one of unsatisfied hunger and thirst. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/vain toil.htm

What is the water of life? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about the Christian Life (All) | GotQuestions.org

Is there life after death? | GotQuestions.org

Life: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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