kenos describes what proves futile or without result, as well as persons or messages lacking what is expected.

The predominant use describes effort, preaching, faith, grace, or a course of action as failing to produce its intended result. It also describes words, deceit, plans, and a person as lacking substance, and people or servants as being sent away without provision or return.

1. Futile or without intended result · dominant

   In 1 Corinthians 15:14, the nominative forms occur in the conditional claim that preaching and faith lack result if Christ has not been raised; the APB renders both as “empty.” Accusative neuter forms likewise qualify labor, running, and receiving grace in clauses warning against a fruitless outcome in 2 Corinthians 6:1, Galatians 2:2, and Philippians 2:16.

   1 Corinthians 15:141 Corinthians 15:581 Thessalonians 2:12 Corinthians 6:1Galatians 2:2Philippians 2:16
2. Lacking substance in speech, thought, or person · common

   Acts 4:25 uses the accusative plural neuter form for what peoples plot, rendered by the APB as “empty things.” In Colossians 2:8 and Ephesians 5:6, the genitive feminine and dative plural masculine forms modify deceit and words; James 2:20 addresses an “empty man” in a statement about faith without works.

   Acts 4:25Colossians 2:8Ephesians 5:6James 2:20
3. Sent away without provision or return · common

   The accusative masculine forms describe the rich sent away after the hungry are filled in Luke 1:53, and slaves dismissed after being beaten in Mark 12:3, Luke 20:10, and Luke 20:11. The APB presents these clauses as being sent away “empty” or “empty-handed.”

   Luke 1:53Mark 12:3Luke 20:10Luke 20:11

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously renders the term “empty,” “in vain,” and “empty-handed,” according to the surrounding clause. These renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.