Devine Scripture

James 4:15

What does James 4:15 mean?

A plain-English look at James 4:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 4:15 means

James supplies the right posture for planning: “If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that.” This is more than a phrase to tack onto sentences; it is a worldview. We live and act only by God’s permission and provision. Acknowledging His will does not negate careful thought; it purifies it, replacing self-reliance with dependence and opening space for God to redirect. Such speech trains the heart to remember who is sovereign over life and opportunity. It also comforts, for our future rests not on our grip but on God’s wise hand. True prudence bows to providence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But the right thing to say would be, If it is the Lord's pleasure and if we are still living, we will do this and that.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

instead of your saying, If the Lord should [so] will and we should live, we will also do this or that.

Context

Verse 15 answers the presumption exposed in verses 13–14 with a God-centered way of speaking and thinking about plans. It acknowledges that both life and action depend on the Lord’s will. The next verse will condemn the opposite tone—boasting in arrogant plans—as evil. The section is moving toward a moral conclusion about responsibility: not only must we avoid proud speech, we must actively do the known good in light of God’s rule (v. 17).

v.14whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

v.15This passage

v.16But now ye glory in your vauntings: all such glorying is evil.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:7

    For I do not wish to see you now by the way; for I hope to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

  • Romans 1:10

    making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you.

  • Proverbs 19:21

    There are many devices in a man’s heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.

  • Hebrews 6:3

    And this will we do, if God permit.

  • Romans 15:32

    that I may come unto you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest.

  • Acts 18:21

    but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.

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