James 4:16

16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

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James 4:16 Meaning and Commentary

James 4:16

But now ye rejoice in your boastings
Of tomorrow, and of the continuance of life, and of going to such a place, and abiding there for such a time, and of trading and trafficking with great success, to the obtaining of much gain and riches; see ( Proverbs 27:1 )

all such rejoicing is evil;
wicked and atheistical, as expressing a neglect of and independence on Providence; arrogating and ascribing too much to themselves, their power and will, as if they had their lives and fortunes in their own hands, and at their own dispose, when all depend upon the will of God. The Syriac version renders it, "all such rejoicing is from evil"; from an evil heart, and from the evil one, Satan.

James 4:16 In-Context

14 whereas you do not know about tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that."
16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
17 Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.