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Whereas you don`t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
Verse Takeaways
1
Life is a Fleeting Vapor
Commentators universally highlight the central metaphor: life is like a morning mist or vapor. It appears for a short time and then vanishes completely, leaving no trace. Scholars like Albert Barnes and John Gill explain this imagery to show the profound uncertainty and brevity of our existence. This truth is meant to directly challenge our tendency to make long-term plans as if our future is guaranteed and under our control.
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James
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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
Whereas, ye know not what shall be on the morrow. They formed their plans as if they knew; the apostle says it could not be known. They ha…
Whereas ye know not (οιτινες ουκ επιστασθε). The longer relative οστις defines here more precisely (like Latin qui) ο λεγον…
19th Century
Anglican
Whereas you know not . . . .—Read, Whereas you know not anything of tomorrow—what, i.e., the event may be. The h…
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Baptist
We are all too apt to say what we will do, and where we will go, forgetting to add, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.…
No allowance is made for unforeseen circumstances. These businessmen are confident that they will be able to carry their plans through to completio…
16th Century
Protestant
For what is your life? He might have checked this foolish presumption in determining what is to come by many other reasons, for we see how…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow Whether there would be a morrow for them or not, whether they shoul…
Our lips must be governed by the law of kindness, as well as truth and justice. Christians are brothers and sisters. And to break God's commands is…
