CINXE.COM
James 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that."
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>James 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/james/4-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/59_Jas_04_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="James 4:15 - Do Not Boast of Tomorrow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Instead, you ought to say, If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/james/4-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/james/4-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/james/">James</a> > <a href="/james/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/james/4-14.htm" title="James 4:14">◄</a> James 4:15 <a href="/james/4-16.htm" title="James 4:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/james/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/james/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/james/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/james/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/james/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Instead you <i>ought</i> to say, "If the Lord should will, both we will live and we will do this or that."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/james/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For that ye <i>ought</i> to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/james/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Instead you <i>ought</i> to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/james/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Instead, <i>you ought</i> to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/james/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/james/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Instead, <i>you ought</i> to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/james/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/james/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/james/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/james/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/james/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/james/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You should say, "If the Lord lets us live, we will do these things." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/james/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/james/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Instead, you should say, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/james/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />What you should say is this: "If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/james/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Instead you should say, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live—and do this or that." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/james/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Instead, you ought to say, ?If the Lord is willing, let us live and do this or that.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/james/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You ought to say instead, "If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/james/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/james/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Instead of that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Instead of that you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we shall live and do this or that."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/james/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/james/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />instead, you [ought] to say, “If the LORD may will, we will live, and do this or that”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Instead you <i>ought</i> to say, "If the Lord should will, both we will live and we will do this or that."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/james/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> instead of your saying, 'If the Lord may will, we shall live, and do this or that;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/james/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For you should say, If the Lord will, and we live, and should do this, or that.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/james/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For what is your life? It is a vapour which appeareth for a little while, and afterwards shall vanish away. For that you should say: If the Lord will, and if we shall live, we will do this or that. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/james/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For what is your life? It is a mist that appears for a brief time, and afterwards will vanish away. So what you ought to say is: “If the Lord wills,” or, “If we live,” we will do this or that.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/james/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Instead you should say, “If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/james/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/james/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Instead of that they should say, If the LORD will, we shall live, and do this, or that.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Therefore, they should say, “If THE LORD JEHOVAH pleases, and we live, we shall do this or that.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/james/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Instead of that, you ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/james/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />on the contrary you should say, If the Lord will, and we live, we will indeed do this, or that.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/james/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Instead of your saying, If the Lord pleases, and we are alive, then we will do this or that thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/james/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />your language ought to be this, "if the Lord pleases to give us life, we shall do this, or that."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Instead of that you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we shall live and do this or that."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/james/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />instead of your saying, "If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/james/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />If the Lord will, and we should live, and do this or that:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/james/4-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=782" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/james/4.htm">Do Not Boast of Tomorrow</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/473.htm" title="473: Anti (Prep) -- A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.">Instead,</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you ought</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legein (V-PNA) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">to say,</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: Ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">“If</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrios (N-NMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">Lord</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelēsē (V-ASA-3S) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">is willing,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: zēsomen (V-FIA-1P) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">we will live</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiēsomen (V-FIA-1P) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">do</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeino (DPro-ANS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">that.”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">16</span>As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Proverbs 16:9</a></span><br />A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Proverbs 19:21</a></span><br />Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-10.htm">Matthew 6:10</a></span><br />Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-21.htm">Acts 18:21</a></span><br />But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-19.htm">1 Corinthians 4:19</a></span><br />But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-10.htm">Romans 1:10</a></span><br />in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-3.htm">Hebrews 6:3</a></span><br />And this we will do, if God permits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20</a></span><br />But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Matthew 26:39</a></span><br />Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17</a></span><br />If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-17.htm">1 Peter 3:17</a></span><br />For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-14.htm">1 John 5:14</a></span><br />And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-13.htm">Philippians 2:13</a></span><br />For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-5.htm">Psalm 37:5</a></span><br />Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/40-8.htm">Psalm 40:8</a></span><br />I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For that you ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.</p><p class="hdg">If.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/15-25.htm">2 Samuel 15:25,26</a></b></br> And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me <i>both</i> it, and his habitation: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Proverbs 19:21</a></b></br> <i>There are</i> many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/3-37.htm">Lamentations 3:37</a></b></br> Who <i>is</i> he <i>that</i> saith, and it cometh to pass, <i>when</i> the Lord commandeth <i>it</i> not?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/11-16.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-18.htm">Live</a> <a href="/james/3-10.htm">Ought</a> <a href="/james/4-3.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/james/3-13.htm">Right</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-11.htm">Wills</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_peter/2-23.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-17.htm">Live</a> <a href="/james/4-17.htm">Ought</a> <a href="/james/5-5.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/james/4-17.htm">Right</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-16.htm">Wills</a><div class="vheading2">James 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-1.htm">We are to strive against covetousness;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-4.htm">intemperance;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-5.htm">pride;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-11.htm">detraction and rash judgment of others;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/4-13.htm">and not to be boastful of our future plans.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/james/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Instead, you ought to say</b><br>This phrase suggests a corrective approach to the mindset of the audience. The context of <a href="/james/4.htm">James 4</a> is a warning against arrogance and presumption. The audience is likely Jewish Christians familiar with the Old Testament teachings on humility and dependence on God. This phrase implies a shift from self-reliance to acknowledging God's sovereignty in daily plans.<p><b>“If the Lord is willing,</b><br>This reflects a deep-seated belief in the sovereignty of God, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. It echoes <a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Proverbs 16:9</a>, which states, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." The phrase underscores the importance of submitting to God's will, reminiscent of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane (<a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Matthew 26:39</a>), where He submits to the Father's will.<p><b>we will live</b><br>This acknowledges that life itself is a gift from God, not to be taken for granted. It aligns with <a href="/job/12-10.htm">Job 12:10</a>, which says, "In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." The recognition that life is contingent upon God's will is a call to humility and gratitude.<p><b>and do this or that.”</b><br>This part of the verse emphasizes the uncertainty of human plans and the need for divine guidance. It connects with the parable of the rich fool in <a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Luke 12:16-21</a>, where the man's plans are thwarted by his sudden death, illustrating the futility of planning without considering God's will. The phrase encourages believers to seek God's direction in all endeavors, reflecting a life of faith and dependence on Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a></b><br>The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He writes with authority and pastoral concern for the spiritual well-being of his readers.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/early_christian_communities.htm">Early Christian Communities</a></b><br>The audience of the letter, likely Jewish Christians scattered outside of Palestine, facing trials and needing guidance on living out their faith practically.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The Lord</a></b><br>Refers to God, emphasizing His sovereignty and control over the future and human plans.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/acknowledging_god's_sovereignty.htm">Acknowledging God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God is in control of all aspects of life, including our future plans. This acknowledgment should lead to humility and dependence on God rather than self-reliance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/incorporating_god's_will_in_daily_life.htm">Incorporating God's Will in Daily Life</a></b><br>Make it a habit to consider and seek God's will in all decisions, big or small. This can be done through prayer, seeking counsel, and studying Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_with_humility.htm">Living with Humility</a></b><br>Understand that our lives are temporary and uncertain. This perspective should foster humility and a reliance on God's guidance rather than boasting about future plans.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_plan.htm">Trusting in God's Plan</a></b><br>Trust that God's plans are ultimately for our good, even when they differ from our own. This trust can bring peace and contentment in the face of uncertainty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_expression_of_faith.htm">Practical Expression of Faith</a></b><br>Use phrases like "If the Lord wills" not as a mere formality but as a genuine expression of faith and submission to God's authority over our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'if_the_lord_wills'_mean.htm">What does "If the Lord wills" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_'baptized_into_his_death'.htm">What does 'If the Lord wills' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'root_of_jesse'_mean.htm">What does 'life is a vapor' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_james_4_13-15_warn_against_planning.htm">Why does James 4:13–15 warn so strongly against making plans without God’s will, when so much of human progress relies on forward planning and initiative?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">For that ye ought to say . . . .</span>--Referring to <a href="/james/4-13.htm" title="Go to now, you that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:">James 4:13</a>, in some such a continuation of reproof as this: <span class= "ital">Woe unto you that say, </span>. . . . <span class= "ital">instead of saying, </span>"<span class= "ital">If the Lord will</span>". . . . In fact, it is a thing of the past, not of time, but completed action on the part of God--"If the Lord <span class= "ital">have willed</span> it, we shall both live and do this or that." Such is far, be it noted, from Fatalism, in even its best form, as under the teaching of Islam. The sovereignty of God is acknowledged, but with it is plainly recognised the existence of man's free will, dependent, however, on the permission of the Most High for its fleeting duration and power. St. Paul speaks in similar tone of coming to Corinth, "if the Lord will" (<a href="/1_corinthians/4-19.htm" title="But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.">1Corinthians 4:19</a>); and "God willing" (D.V.), "the reference of all the contingencies of the future to One supremely wise and loving Will, has been in all ages of Christendom the stay and strength of devout souls."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For that ye ought to say</span> (<span class="greek">ἀντὶ</span> <span class="greek">τοῦ λέγειν</span>); literally, <span class="accented">instead of your saying</span>; <span class="greek">ἀντὶ τοῦ</span>, with the infinitive, "saepe apud Graecos" (Grimm). This verse follows in thought on ver. 13, ver. 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 <span class="greek">ζήσομεν</span> and <span class="greek">ποιήσομεν</span> should be read (with <span class="hebrew">א</span>, A, B), instead of the subjunctives of the Received Text. It is generally agreed now that the verse should be rendered," If the Lord will, we shall both live and do this or that." But it is possible to divide it differently, and to render as follows: "If the Lord will, and we live, we shall also do this or that." Vulgate, <span class="accented">si Dominus voluerit et si</span> [omit <span class="accented">si</span>, Codex Amiat.] <span class="accented">vixerimus</span>, <span class="accented">faciemus</span>, etc. (cf. Winer, 'Grammar of N.T. Greek,' p. 357). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/james/4-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Instead,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἀντὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Anti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_473.htm">Strong's 473: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you [ought]</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμᾶς</span> <span class="translit">(hymas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to say,</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγειν</span> <span class="translit">(legein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">“If</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐὰν</span> <span class="translit">(Ean)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Lord</span><br /><span class="grk">Κύριος</span> <span class="translit">(Kyrios)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is willing,</span><br /><span class="grk">θελήσῃ</span> <span class="translit">(thelēsē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> </span><span class="str2">To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">we will live</span><br /><span class="grk">ζήσομεν</span> <span class="translit">(zēsomen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">do</span><br /><span class="grk">ποιήσομεν</span> <span class="translit">(poiēsomen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῦτο</span> <span class="translit">(touto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="grk">ἢ</span> <span class="translit">(ē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that.”</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκεῖνο</span> <span class="translit">(ekeino)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> </span><span class="str2">That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/4-15.htm">James 4:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/james/4-15.htm">James 4:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/james/4-15.htm">James 4:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/james/4-15.htm">James 4:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/james/4-15.htm">James 4:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/james/4-15.htm">James 4:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/4-15.htm">James 4:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/4-15.htm">James 4:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/james/4-15.htm">James 4:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/james/4-15.htm">James 4:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/james/4-15.htm">NT Letters: James 4:15 For you ought to say If (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/4-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 4:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 4:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/4-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 4:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 4:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>