James 4:14 Meaning
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Context Explained
12There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
13Go to now, ye 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:
14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
Key Themes
Related Cross References
Psalm 39:5
Both verses reflect on the brevity of life and the need for wisdom in how we live.
Ecclesiastes 1:2
This verse emphasizes the vanity of life, similar to the vapor metaphor in James.
Matthew 6:34
Both verses encourage not to worry about tomorrow, focusing instead on the present.
Source: James 4:14