Short Answer: What is the difference in “will” and “shall” in the Bible?
The King James Version (KJV) precise usage of “will” and “shall” is vital to understanding the Bible. In the Bible, “will” is used when God’s certainty in performing something is expressed, indicating that He will carry out His plans. On the other hand, “shall” is used to signify what should happen, conveying a sense of cause and effect.
For instance, in 2 Kings 20:1, God instructs Hezekiah to set his house in order, declaring that he “SHALT die, and not live.” The use of “shalt” implies that it is something that should happen. However, in verse 6, God promises to add fifteen years to Hezekiah’s life and God said He “WILL” deliver and defend the city, indicating His determination to do so.
Similarly, in James 4:15, believers are encouraged to acknowledge that their lives are in God’s hands, saying, “If the LORD WILL, WE SHALL live, and do this, or that.” Here, “will” is related to God’s plans, while “shall” pertains to what should happen for us.
An example from Mark 16:16-18 shows the significance of distinguishing between “will” and “shall.” The passage states, “…And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” This passage has been misinterpreted by some, leading them to mistakenly blame God’s Word when they expect specific outcomes but fail to recognize the difference between “shall” (what should happen) and “will” (what God will definitely do).
Understanding this use of “will” and “shall” in the KJV enables a more accurate interpretation of biblical promises and clarifies the distinction between God’s divine will and our human obligations.
Scripture Outline:
- KJV is superior because of its use of the words “will” and “shall”
- When it relates to God’s certainty in doing something the Bible will use will
- When it talks about what should happen it uses the word shall
- 2 Kings 20:1: “… Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou SHALT die, and not live.”
- If it had said “thou will die” then Hezekiah would’ve died but “shalt” lets you know that it is something that should happen
- V.6: “And I WILL add unto they days fifteen years; and I WILL deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I WILL defend this city for mine own sake…”
- God WILL do it so he was going to heal them
- 1 Kings 20:5 – ” … on the third day thou SHALT go up unto the house of the Lord.”
- This is describing something that he should’ve done
- James 4:15: ” For that ye ought to say , if the LORD WILL, WE SHALL live, and do this, or that”
- Will – to God
- Shall – To us
- People’s faith has been destroyed because they’ll take a scripture such as Mark 16:16-18
- Mar 16:16-18 KJV – “16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
- So people take this scripture, lay hands on someone and they die, they’ll blame God’s word for failing. Mark 16:18 says ” they SHALL” not “they WILL”.
- Shall relates to what should happen but will relates to what God WILL do.
