Go 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:

JAMES 4:13KJV
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James 4:13 (KJV)

What does James 4:13 mean?

James 4:13 warns people who confidently make plans for the future, assuming they can control what will happen, that such certainty is misplaced. The verse describes people who say they will travel to a city, stay for a year, do business, and make a profit, without considering the uncertainty of life.

James, the brother of Jesus, is speaking to early Christian believers who lived in a world where travel and business were common but unpredictable. He addresses those who speak as if their plans are guaranteed, highlighting the human tendency to act as if the future is entirely in their own hands. The verse sets up a challenge to this attitude, preparing the reader for the next verses, which stress the importance of humility and recognizing God's role in our plans.

The Greek behind James 4:13

  • The word "continue" comes from ποιέω (poieō), which generally means "to do" or "to make." Here, it carries the sense of "spending" or "staying" a certain amount of time, showing the planners' confidence in their ability to control their schedule.
  • The phrase "get gain" uses the Greek word κερδαίνω (kerdainō), meaning "to gain" or "to profit." This highlights that the focus of these plans is not just activity, but specifically making money, showing a business-minded approach to life.

Why James 4:13 matters

  • James 4:13 challenges the common assumption that people can predict or control their future, especially when it comes to business and personal plans.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by setting up a contrast between human self-confidence and the humility that comes from recognizing life's uncertainty and God's sovereignty.
  • This verse helps clear up the misunderstanding that making plans is wrong in itself; rather, the problem is the attitude of presumption and self-reliance without acknowledging God's will.

Where else these words appear

“to” Greek G33 · used in 2 verses

  • James 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

“sell” Greek G1710 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

“such” Greek G3592 · used in 12 verses

  • Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
  • Acts 21:11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
  • Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

“morrow” Greek G839 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
  • Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
  • Acts 23:15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.