Proverbs 4:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

NIV: for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.

NASB: For they are life to those who find them, And healing to all their body.

CSB: For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body.

NLT: for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

KJV: For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

NKJV: For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

This verse continues to refer to the wise words Solomon is explaining to his son (Proverbs 4:20). As a general rule, vibrant life and good health escape those who violate God's Word. Machines often come with instruction manuals, which detail what the product is or is not designed to do. Those manuals also explain the right way to maintain that equipment. Just as the designer of a machine knows the best way to keep it in good condition, so too does the Designer of mankind know the best way for us to live. Accidents and incidents still occur, but common sense tells us that following "the plan" is the way to avoid unnecessary disaster.

In 1 Timothy 5:6, Paul wrote that the self-indulgent widow "is dead even while she lives." When the wicked choose to go their own way and indulge their sinful passions, their choice does not lead to an enjoyable life or a happy ending. Proverbs 14:12 explains how may think they are following the right path through life, but it leads to death.

The promise of health given here isn't meant to be a magical talisman. But whoever loves and obeys God's Word follows a much healthier lifestyle than those who defy Him. Paul, for instance, wrote that he refused to harm his body because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and he wanted to glorify God (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

Proverbs 4:20–27 concludes the chapter with Solomon telling his son how to live. This follows earlier explanations of advice his own father, David, gave to him. Emphasis here is on the attitude of the heart, the focus of the eyes, and the direction of the feet. This begins with a pattern seen many other places in Proverbs: an encouragement to value godly wisdom.

Common for the first nine chapters of Proverbs, Solomon urges his sons—possibly also other students—to listen to his words. He recalls his early years, when he heard some of these words from his father, David. Wisdom is upheld as the most beneficial thing a person can acquire in life. It brings honor and safety. In contrast, the wicked are perpetual wrongdoers whose goal is to lead others astray. They live for wickedness and violence, and they stumble in the darkness. Solomon urges his sons not to deviate from the path of godly wisdom, either ''to the right or to the left.''

The first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs focus on extolling the value of godly wisdom. In this chapter King Solomon continues to pass along this message to his son. His advice to his sons—possibly also meaning his students—in chapter 4 is similar to what he says in Proverbs 1:8–9; 2:1–6; 3:1–2, 21–26; 5:1–2; 6:20–22; 7:1–3, 24; and 8:22–36. The words of this chapter are partly taken from advice Solomon recalls hearing from his own father, David.

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.