James 4:13

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:

Go to {G33} now {G3568}, ye that say {G3004}, To day {G4594} or {G2532} to morrow {G839} we will go {G4198} into {G1519} such {G3592} a city {G4172}, and {G2532} continue {G4160}{G4160} there {G1563} a {G1520} year {G1763}, and {G2532} buy and sell {G1710}{G1710}, and {G2532} get gain {G2770}{G2770}:

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such-and-such a city, stay there a year trading and make a profit”!

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.”

Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain:

Commentary

James 4:13 serves as a direct challenge from the Apostle James to those who make confident plans for the future without acknowledging God's sovereignty or the uncertainty of life. It highlights a common human tendency to assume control over tomorrow, particularly in matters of commerce and personal gain.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader section of James's letter (chapters 3-4) that contrasts worldly wisdom with divine wisdom. Immediately preceding this passage, James addresses the source of conflicts, pride, and friendship with the world (James 4:4). The self-assured planning described in verse 13 sets the stage for the powerful rebuke in the subsequent verses, particularly James 4:14, which reminds readers of life's brevity and fragility, and James 4:15, which provides the proper humble perspective: "If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

Key Themes

  • Human Arrogance and Self-Sufficiency: The verse portrays a mindset that assumes complete control over one's future, outlining detailed business plans ("go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain") without any reference to divine permission or guidance. This confident assertion betrays a spirit of self-reliance that excludes God.
  • Uncertainty of Life: Although not explicitly stated in verse 13, the very next verse (James 4:14) reveals the stark reality that human life is "even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." This underscores the folly of making rigid plans without considering the fragility of existence.
  • Worldly Ambition vs. Godly Dependence: The focus on "buy and sell, and get gain" represents a common worldly pursuit of wealth and success. James challenges the notion that such endeavors should be pursued independently of God's will, emphasizing that a truly wise person acknowledges God's sovereignty over all plans and outcomes (Proverbs 16:9).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Go to now" is an emphatic interjection, often used to introduce a rebuke or a challenge. It's akin to saying, "Listen up, you who say..." or "Come now, consider this." It immediately signals a critical examination of the following statement. The phrase "get gain" highlights the primary motivation behind the described actions: financial profit. This focus on material accumulation, when pursued without spiritual discernment, is what James critiques.

Practical Application

James 4:13 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today, particularly in the realms of business, career, and personal planning. While prudent planning is encouraged in Scripture, this verse cautions against making plans with an arrogant or self-sufficient spirit that neglects God's overarching will. It calls us to adopt a posture of humility and dependence, recognizing that our lives, our time, and our opportunities are ultimately in God's hands. Christians are encouraged to preface their plans with "If the Lord wills" or to live with an awareness that God's direction is paramount (Proverbs 3:6). This doesn't mean we shouldn't plan, but that we should hold our plans loosely, submitting them to the Lord's perfect will.

Reflection

This verse encourages us to examine our attitudes towards the future. Do we boast about tomorrow's accomplishments, or do we humbly submit our aspirations to the One who holds all things in His hands? True wisdom, according to James, lies not in our ability to predict or control, but in our willingness to acknowledge and depend on God in every aspect of our lives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 27:1

    ¶ Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

  • Luke 12:17

    And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

  • Luke 12:20

    But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

  • Genesis 11:3

    And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

  • Genesis 11:4

    And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top [may reach] unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:1

    ¶ I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also [is] vanity.

  • Ezekiel 7:12

    The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath [is] upon all the multitude thereof.