This word captures the concept of futility, emptiness, or purposelessness—the vanity of that which fails to achieve meaningful ends. Paul uses it theologically to describe humanity's fallen condition. Romans 8:20 declares that creation 'was subjected to futility' because of the fall—the natural world shares in humanity's curse, frustrated in achieving its original purpose. Ephesians 4:17 warns believers to no longer walk 'in the futility of their minds' as Gentiles do—thinking darkened by sin produces purposeless, empty reasoning. 2 Peter 2:18 describes false teachers speaking 'loud boasts of folly,' literally 'great swelling words of emptiness,' impressive-sounding but ultimately vacuous and deceptive.