Proverbs 22:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

NIV: Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

NASB: Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he grows older he will not abandon it.

CSB: Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.

NLT: Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

KJV: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

NKJV: Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

This is among the most quoted proverbs in the Bible. Here, Solomon (Proverbs 10:1) offers sound advice for parents. When a child is raised with the right values, and the right perspective, those lessons will last a lifetime (Ephesians 6:4). The literal wording here implies that the rightly trained child will not deviate from this path. Of course, Solomon's proverbial counsel is not an iron-clad promise. Despite the direction in which godly parents point their child, he or she may choose to pursue the way of the crooked mentioned in verse 5. Yet a foundation of godliness gives the child something positive to "fall back on" when they come to their senses (Luke 15:16–20).

Hebrew wording here implies the idea of "dedicating" a child to God; the implication is that the child is being purposefully directed towards the Lord and His wisdom (Proverbs 1:7).

Godly parents can only do their best to direct the steps of their children. They can trust that instructing their children about God and modeling what it looks like to have a relationship with God will most likely persuade each child to believe on the Lord and obey Him. If it does not, then those experiences will help to convict and change a stubborn heart later in life.

Timothy had this kind of child rearing. He was taught the Scriptures when he was a young child (2 Timothy 3:15).

Proverbs 22:1–16 dispenses practical advice about gaining a good reputation, avoiding danger, setting children on a good path, finances, pure living, and the Lord's watchfulness and judgment. These verses also speak on the absurdity of laziness, the danger of evil words, and the sin of oppressing the poor. This completes an extensive list of wise sayings (Proverbs 10:1) attributed to Solomon.

This chapter completes a long string of wise sayings attributed to Solomon (Proverbs 10:1). He notes that reputation and godliness are far better than money. He also notes that godly wisdom keeps a person from various dangers. Loving parents use proper discipline to instill wisdom in their children. The last portion of the chapter introduces a new passage, made up of thirty wise teachings which Solomon endorses. This string of advice continues into chapter 24.

This chapter is the last of the second division of the book, including all of chapters 10—21. This section includes some 375 verses, mostly in paired lines. Chapter 22 completes these statements, then introduces a collection of thirty wise sayings endorsed by Solomon. The first five are negative commands, warning to avoid certain vices. Chapter 23 continues with more sayings of advice.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.