James 4:14
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
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.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
what--literally, "of what nature" is your life? that is, how evanescent it is. It is even--Some oldest authorities read, "For ye are." BENGEL, with other old authorities, reads, "For it shall be," the future referring to the "morrow" (Jam 4:13-15). The former expresses, "Ye yourselves are transitory"; so everything of yours, even your life, must partake of the same transitoriness. Received text has no old authority. and then vanisheth away--"afterwards vanishing as it came"; literally, "afterwards (as it appeared), so vanishing" [ALFORD].
Open source ↗In this chapter we are directed to consider, I. Some causes of contention, besides those mentioned in the foregoing chapter, and to watch against them (Jam 4:1-5). II. We are taught to abandon the friendship of this world, so as to submit and subject ourselves entirely to God (Jam 4:4-10). III. All detraction and rash judgment of others are to be carefully avoided (Jam 4:11, Jam 4:12). IV. We must preserve a constant regard, and pay the utmost deference to the disposals of divine Providence (Jam 4:13 to the end).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah
The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.
But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
Remember the briefness of my lifespan! For what futility You have created all men!
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.
My dwelling has been picked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver; He cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You make an end of me.