Proverbs 4

CHAPTER 4

Wisdom Is Supreme (4:1–27)

1–9 In this chapter the writer summarizes many of the things he has written in the first three chapters. In verse 4, he repeats the need to follow God’s words with all one’s heart (see Proverbs 3:5), because the one who does so will live (see Proverbs 3:18,22; Matthew 19:17); they (God’s words) are life to those who find them (verse 22). The writer tells us: Get wisdom, get understanding²⁴ (verse 5); we must actively “get” wisdom—and then keep it, store it up (see Proverbs 2:1–5). And it is indeed something we should want to get—though it cost all [we] have (verse 7); it is like a pearl of great value, to buy which a man is willing to sell everything he has (Matthew 13:45–46).

10–19 In these verses, the writer contrasts the way of wisdom (way of righteousness) with the way of the wicked.²⁵ The one who accepts God’s word will be led along straight paths (verse 11); he will walk according to God’s will, God’s word (see Proverbs 3:6). The writer urges us: Do not set foot on the path of the wicked (verse 14). We often think we can just “set foot” on the wrong path without any danger, and that we can easily get back on the right path; but in this we are mistaken. The path of the wicked is like a trap; once we set foot on it, it is very hard to leave it.²⁶ This is why, in verse 27, the writer says: Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil (see Deuteronomy 5:32–33).

20–27 Again the writer reminds us that his words (verse 20)—words inspired by God—are life and health²⁷ (verse 22) to those who find them and keep them in their hearts (Proverbs 3:1,3). And then he says: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (verse 23). The “heart” is our inner being, our SOUL, our real self;²⁸ it is from our hearts that our deepest thoughts and desires come. What we are on the inside will sooner or later express itself on the outside, in our words and actions (see Matthew 12:33–35; Mark7:2123). Thus, the heart is like a “wellspring” out of which flows everything in our lives—whether good or evil; if we guard our heart, we will keep ourselves from evil.

However, even though making our “inner self” right is the most important thing, that doesn’t mean our “outer self” will automatically be right as well. In verses 24–27, the writer tells us that we must also work on our outer self, our outer behavior. In verse 24, he tells us to work on our speech (see Ephesians 4:25,29). Then, in verse 25, he tells us to keep our eyes (hearts, minds) fixed on God (see Colossians 3:5; Hebrews 12:2). In verse 26, he tells us to make level paths for our feet—that is, to remove the moral hindrances and sins that entangle us and make us stumble (see Hebrews 12:1). It is not enough to simply “get a new heart” or a “new self”; we must also put off our old self and put on our new self (Ephesians 4:22–24). Yes, the new self—the new life, the new birth—comes from God (John 3:3; 2Corinthians 5:7); but we are still responsible for how we live and behave (Ephesians 2:10; 4:1). This is the central message of this chapter and, indeed, of the whole book of Proverbs.