James 4:14-15

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:13-17

"Man proposes, but God disposes." The subject here is another prevalent manifestation of pride and worldliness; namely, the propensity to indulge in presumptuous self-reliance in relation to the future. I. THE SPIRIT OF VAIN CONFIDENCE WHICH THE APOSTLE REBUKES . ( James 4:13 ) He appeals directly to worldly-minded merchants and money-makers. The Jews, like ourselves, have been a nation of shopkeepers. In these early times many of them carried the products of one... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:13-17

"What is your life?" The life of the savage is characterized by an almost total lack of true foresight; no calculations of the future. True civilization, on the contrary, is largely built up on the principle of far-seeing prudence. Yet there may be a false use of a true principle. And so it may come to pass that we manifest an unchristian reliance on the future, and an absorbed engrossment in plans for its direction. It is this which James condemns, He sets forth the false glorying, and,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:14

Fortifies the rebuke of James 4:13 by showing the folly of their action; cf. Proverbs 27:1 , "Boast not thyself of tomorrow ( τὰ εἰς αὔριον ), for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Whereas ye know not ; rather, seeing that , or , inasmuch as ye know not , etc. ( οἵτινες οὐκ ἐπίστασθε ) . The text in this verse again in a somewhat disorganized condition, but the general drift is clear. We should probably read, οἵτινες οὐκ ἐπίστασθε τὸ τῆς... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 4:15

For that ye ought to say ( ἀντὶ τοῦ λέγειν ); literally, instead of your saying ; ἀντὶ τοῦ , with the infinitive, " saepe apud Graecos " (Grimm). This verse follows in thought on James 4:13 , James 4:14 having been parenthetical. "Go to now, ye that say … instead of your saying (as ye ought), If the Lord will," etc. Once more the text requires correction, as the futures ζήσομεν and ποιήσομεν should be read (with א , A, B), instead of the subjunctives of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 4:14

Whereas, ye know not what shall be on the morrow - They formed their plans as if they knew; the apostle says it could not be known. They had no means of ascertaining what would occur; whether they would live or die; whether they would be prospered, or would be overwhelmed with adversity. Of the truth of the remark made by the apostle here, no one can doubt; but it is amazing how men act as if it were false. We have no power of penetrating the future so as to be able to determine what will occur... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 4:15

For that ye ought to say - Instead of what you do say, “we will go into such a city,” you ought rather to recognise your absolute dependence on God, and feel that life and success are subject to his will. The meaning is not that we ought always to be saying that in so many words, for this might become a mere ostentatious form, offensive by constant unmeaning repetition; but we are, in the proper way, to recognise our dependence on him, and to form all our plans with reference to his will.If the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 4:13-15

James 4:13-15. Go to now Αγε νυν , come now, an interjection, calculated to excite attention; ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go, &c. As if future events were in your own power, and your health and lives were ensured to you for a certain time; whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow Whether your spirits before then shall not have passed into eternity; for what is your life? It is even a vapour An unsubstantial, uncertain, and fleeting vapour; that appeareth for... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 4:13-17

Personal advancement without God (4:13-5:6)Another sign of worldliness appears when Christians arrange their lives as if God does not exist, as if they control the future. Christians should view life differently from non-Christians. They should not live as if their lives on earth are going to last for ever, but should consider the eternal purposes of God and arrange their affairs accordingly. Their chief consideration should be to do God’s will, not to look for personal gain and advancement... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 4:14

Whereas ye = Such as ye are. know . App-132 . life . App-170 . It is even = For it is. The texts read "For ye are". vapour . Greek. atmis . See Acts 2:19 . appeareth . App-106 . vanisheth away . See Acts 13:41 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 4:15

For that, &c . = Instead of ( App-104 . ) your saying. will . App-102 . read more

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