Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 Versioninstead, 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 BibleFor 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 BibleInstead 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 TestamentInstead 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.… 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? Jump to Previous Instead Live Ought Pleasure Right WillsJump to Next Instead Live Ought Pleasure Right WillsJames 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. Instead, you ought to say This phrase suggests a corrective approach to the mindset of the audience. The context of James 4 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. “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” Persons / Places / Events 1. JamesThe 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. 2. Early Christian Communities The audience of the letter, likely Jewish Christians scattered outside of Palestine, facing trials and needing guidance on living out their faith practically. 3. The Lord Refers to God, emphasizing His sovereignty and control over the future and human plans. Teaching Points Acknowledging God's SovereigntyRecognize 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. Incorporating God's Will in Daily Life 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. Living with Humility 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. Trusting in God's Plan 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. Practical Expression of Faith 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.(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."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. Links James 4:15 NIVJames 4:15 NLT James 4:15 ESV James 4:15 NASB James 4:15 KJV James 4:15 BibleApps.com James 4:15 Biblia Paralela James 4:15 Chinese Bible James 4:15 French Bible James 4:15 Catholic Bible NT Letters: James 4:15 For you ought to say If (Ja Jas. Jam) |
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