James 4:14
 | Why, 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. |
 | 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. |
 | Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. |
| James 4:14 |
Commentary
In spite of human frailty and ignorance of tomorrow, man arrogantly predicts his life's course.
For what is your life? This question hopes to shake someone out of apathy and cause him to reassess his priorities. Vapor (Gk. atmis) is used of smoke (Acts 2:19), incense (Ezek. 8:11), and of steam. It makes no difference which one is chosen, for all are transient and gone in a moment. Compared to eternity, the span of our lives appears insignificant.
Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Jas 4:14). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
Related Verse
In spite of human frailty and ignorance of tomorrow, man arrogantly predicts his life's course.
For what is your life? This question hopes to shake someone out of apathy and cause him to reassess his priorities. Vapor (Gk. atmis) is used of smoke (Acts 2:19), incense (Ezek. 8:11), and of steam. It makes no difference which one is chosen, for all are transient and gone in a moment. Compared to eternity, the span of our lives appears insignificant.
Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Jas 4:14). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
Related Verse
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)