James 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that."

◄ James 4:15 ►

New International Version
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

New Living Translation
What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

English Standard Version
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Berean Standard Bible
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

Berean Literal Bible
Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord should will, both we will live and we will do this or that."

King James Bible
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

New King James Version
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

New American Standard Bible
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

NASB 1995
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

NASB 1977
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

Amplified Bible
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.”

Christian Standard Bible
Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

American Standard Version
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that.

Contemporary English Version
You should say, "If the Lord lets us live, we will do these things."

English Revised Version
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Instead, you should say, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans."

Good News Translation
What you should say is this: "If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that."

International Standard Version
Instead you should say, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live—and do this or that."

Majority Standard Bible
Instead, you ought to say, ?If the Lord is willing, let us live and do this or that.?

NET Bible
You ought to say instead, "If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that."

New Heart English Bible
For you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that."

Webster's Bible Translation
Instead of that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Weymouth New Testament
Instead of that you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we shall live and do this or that."

World English Bible
For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
instead, you [ought] to say, “If the LORD may will, we will live, and do this or that”;

Berean Literal Bible
Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord should will, both we will live and we will do this or that."

Young's Literal Translation
instead of your saying, 'If the Lord may will, we shall live, and do this or that;'

Smith's Literal Translation
For you should say, If the Lord will, and we live, and should do this, or that.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
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.

New American Bible
Instead you should say, “If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that.”

New Revised Standard Version
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Instead of that they should say, If the LORD will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Therefore, they should say, “If THE LORD JEHOVAH pleases, and we live, we shall do this or that.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
Instead of that, you ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Godbey New Testament
on the contrary you should say, If the Lord will, and we live, we will indeed do this, or that.

Haweis New Testament
Instead of your saying, If the Lord pleases, and we are alive, then we will do this or that thing.

Mace New Testament
your language ought to be this, "if the Lord pleases to give us life, we shall do this, or that."

Weymouth New Testament
Instead of that you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we shall live and do this or that."

Worrell New Testament
instead of your saying, "If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that."

Worsley New Testament
If the Lord will, and we should live, and do this or that:

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Do Not Boast of Tomorrow
…14You 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. 15Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” 16As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Matthew 6:10
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Acts 18:21
But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.

1 Corinthians 4:19
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.

Romans 1:10
in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you.

Hebrews 6:3
And this we will do, if God permits.

Luke 12:20
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?’

Matthew 26:39
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.”

John 7:17
If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.

1 Peter 3:17
For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.

Psalm 40:8
I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

Treasury of Scripture

For that you ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

If.

2 Samuel 15:25,26
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 both it, and his habitation: …

Proverbs 19:21
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Lamentations 3:37
Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

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James 4

1. We are to strive against covetousness;
4. intemperance;
5. pride;
11. detraction and rash judgment of others;
13. and not to be boastful of our future plans.

Berean Study Bible

Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.'
Instead, you ought to say
This phrase introduces a corrective instruction, contrasting with the previous verses where James warns against boasting about future plans. The Greek word for "ought" (δεῖ) implies a moral obligation or necessity, suggesting that acknowledging God's sovereignty in our plans is not just advisable but required for a faithful Christian life. Historically, this reflects a common Jewish practice of invoking God's will in daily speech, emphasizing humility and dependence on God.

If the Lord is willing
The phrase "If the Lord is willing" (ἐὰν ὁ κύριος θελήσῃ) is a conditional statement that acknowledges God's ultimate authority over human affairs. The Greek word for "willing" (θελήσῃ) denotes a deliberate intention or desire, highlighting that God's will is purposeful and sovereign. This reflects a deep-seated belief in divine providence, a cornerstone of Christian theology, which teaches that all events are under God's control. Historically, this aligns with the early Christian understanding that life is uncertain and contingent upon God's will, a perspective that fosters humility and trust in God's plan.

we will live
The phrase "we will live" (ζήσομεν) underscores the fundamental Christian belief that life itself is a gift from God. The Greek verb for "live" is in the future tense, indicating that even our continued existence is subject to God's will. This reflects the biblical teaching that God is the sustainer of life, as seen in Acts 17:28, "For in Him we live and move and have our being." Historically, this acknowledgment would have resonated with early Christians who faced persecution and uncertainty, reminding them of their dependence on God for life itself.

and do this or that
The phrase "and do this or that" (καὶ ποιήσομεν τοῦτο ἢ ἐκεῖνο) refers to the plans and actions we intend to undertake. The Greek verb "do" (ποιήσομεν) again in the future tense, emphasizes that all human actions are contingent upon God's will. This reflects the biblical principle that while humans can make plans, it is ultimately God who directs their steps, as seen in Proverbs 16:9, "A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Historically, this would have been a reminder to early Christians to submit their plans to God, recognizing His authority over every aspect of life.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) For that ye ought to say . . . .--Referring to James 4:13, in some such a continuation of reproof as this: Woe unto you that say, . . . . instead of saying, "If the Lord will". . . . In fact, it is a thing of the past, not of time, but completed action on the part of God--"If the Lord have willed 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" (1Corinthians 4:19); 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."

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 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 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 ζήσομεν and ποιήσομεν should be read (with א, 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, si Dominus voluerit et si [omit si, Codex Amiat.] vixerimus, faciemus, etc. (cf. Winer, 'Grammar of N.T. Greek,' p. 357).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Instead,
Ἀντὶ (Anti)
Preposition
Strong's 473: A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.

you [ought]
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

to say,
λέγειν (legein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“If
Ἐὰν (Ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κύριος (Kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

is willing,
θελήσῃ (thelēsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

we will live
ζήσομεν (zēsomen)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

do
ποιήσομεν (poiēsomen)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

this
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

or
ἢ (ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

that.”
ἐκεῖνο (ekeino)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

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NT Letters: James 4:15 For you ought to say If (Ja Jas. Jam)