in vain
eike describes something undertaken or occurring without a valid outcome, and in one context without reason.
The predominant use marks belief, suffering, labor, or the bearing of the sword as lacking a valid outcome or purpose; Colossians 2:18 shows a related use for being puffed up without reason.
Senses in use
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Without a valid result or purpose · dominant
The adverb qualifies belief in 1 Corinthians 15:2, suffering in Galatians 3:4, labor in Galatians 4:11, and bearing the sword in Romans 13:4. In 1 Corinthians 15:2 the APB renders the clause "unless you believed in vain," while Galatians 3:4 and Galatians 4:11 present suffering and labor as potentially "in vain."
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Without reason · rare
In Colossians 2:18 the adverb occurs with the description of someone being puffed up by a fleshly mind. The APB renders that clause "being puffed up without reason," presenting the action as lacking justification.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB uses "in vain" in 1 Corinthians 15:2, Galatians 3:4, Galatians 4:11, and Romans 13:4, but "without reason" in Colossians 2:18. These renderings confirm the clauses' overall presentation rather than establish an exact English equivalent in every case.