What is vainglory in Christianity?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In the Christian tradition, particularly through the teachings of the Church Fathers and the Desert Monastics, vainglory (Greek: kenodoxia / κενοδοξία; literally "empty glory") is the passionate desire for the praise, approval, admiration, and notice of human beings rather than the glory of God.

It is considered one of the most subtle, deceptive, and dangerous spiritual sicknesses because, unlike crude sins of the flesh, vainglory feeds directly on a person’s virtues, good deeds, and spiritual accomplishments.

1. The Nature of Vainglory: "Empty Glory"

The word "vain" means hollow, empty, or perishable. St. John Climacus, in his masterwork The Ladder of Divine Ascent, describes vainglory as a loss of simplicity, a pretense of virtue, and an insincere way of life.

He defines a vainglorious person as a "believing idolater":

"A vainglorious person is a believing idolater; he apparently honors God, but he wants to please not God but men."

The vainglorious person fasts, prays, gives alms, serves the poor, or speaks eloquently—not out of pure love for God, but secretly hoping that others observe, praise, and admire their piety. Christ addressed this directly in the Sermon on the Mount when He warned against doing righteous deeds before men to be seen by them: "Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward" (Matthew 6:1–5).

2. The "Prickly Pear": The Tricky Nature of Vainglory

One of the most vivid patristic descriptions of vainglory is that it is like a three-pronged thorn or a prickly pear: no matter how you drop it, one spike is always pointing up.

St. John Climacus observed:

• If a person dresses well, they are attacked by vainglory for their elegance.
• If they dress in rags to appear humble, they become vainglorious about their ascetic poverty.
• If they speak eloquently about spiritual things, they feel self-satisfied.
• If they keep silent to practice restraint, they become vainglorious about their ability to remain silent.

Vainglory attaches itself to whatever good thing you do, attempting to steal the credit that belongs exclusively to God.

3. The Difference Between Vainglory and Pride

While the terms are often used interchangeably in everyday language, the Church Fathers distinguish between the two:

• Vainglory is horizontal: It seeks the applause, validation, and good opinion of other people. It cares desperately about reputation, image, and social standing.
• Pride is vertical and ultimate: St. John Climacus explains that when the worm of vainglory becomes fully grown, it gets wings and rises up to become pride—the origin and consummation of all evils. Pride is the direct exaltation of the self against God, rejecting dependency on Him.

Vainglory is the bridge that leads the soul directly into the trap of satanic pride.

4. Why Vainglory Is Spiritually Destructive

• It Empties Good Works of Heavenly Reward: A person can exhaust their body with fasting, attend every service, and serve tirelessly, but if these actions are motivated by the desire to be praised or validated by the community, the reward has already been cashed in on earth in human words.
• It Leads to Envy and Bitterness: When someone is afflicted with vainglory, they cannot bear to see someone else praised, favored, or given attention. It breeds insecurity, rivalry, and a constant obsession with "measuring up" to others.
• It Preys on Spiritual Gifts: If God gives a person a talent—such as a beautiful chanting voice, leadership skills, or an ability to write and teach—vainglory tempts them to boast in it as if it originated from themselves, rather than viewing themselves as merely an unworthy instrument in God's hands.

5. How to Overcome Vainglory

The Fathers prescribe specific spiritual remedies to conquer this passion:

1. Secrecy in Good Deeds:

Christ commanded: "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly" (Matthew 6:3–4). When you do a good deed, hide it. Do not talk about your prayers, your fasting, or your sacrifices.

1. Attributing Everything to God:

Early Church Fathers taught that whenever good results come through us, we must give immediate thanks to God, realizing we are merely instruments. As the Scriptures ask: "What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7).

1. Custody of the Tongue:

Refrain from speaking about yourself or your accomplishments, or dropping subtle hints designed to make people ask about your achievements.

1. Enduring Dishonor and Obscurity:

The Fathers teach that the beginning of conquering vainglory is accepting being overlooked, uncredited, or dishonored without bitterness. When someone overlooks you, fails to thank you, or gives someone else the credit, see it as God’s medicine preserving your soul from empty pride.

1. Seeking Only the Glory of Christ:

Our sole purpose in this life is expressed in the Divine Liturgy and in the words of St. John the Baptist: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). True freedom comes when a Christian genuinely does not care whether human beings praise or criticize them, seeking only to hear from the Master: "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).