Hebrews 12:13

13 “Make level paths for your feet,”^[a] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Hebrews 12:13 in Other Translations

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

13 Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!

13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but healed instead.

Hebrews 12:13 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 12:13

And make straight paths for your feet
By "feet" are meant the walk and conversation of the saints, both in the church, and in the world, ( Song of Solomon 7:1 ) and there are paths made ready for these feet to walk in; as the good old paths of truth, of the word and worship of God, of faith and holiness: and to make these paths "straight", is to make the word of God the rule of walking; to avoid carefully joining anything with it as a rule; to attend constantly on the ordinances of Christ; to go on evenly in a way of believing on him; to walk in some measure worthy of the calling wherewith we are called, and by way of example to others.

Lest that which is lame be turned out of the way;
a lame member, as the Syriac version, a lame member of the body of Christ, the church; or a lame person, as the Arabic version, a weak believer; one that is ready to halt, either through the corruption of nature, or through the weakness of grace, or through want of light and judgment, and through instability and inconstancy; lest such an one should, through the irregular walk and conversation of others, be stumbled and offended, and go out of the way, and leave the paths of righteousness and truth. God takes care of, and has a regard to such, and he would have others also, ( Micah 4:6 ) ( Zephaniah 3:19 ) . The Ethiopic version reads, "that your halting may be healed, and not offended": that you yourselves may not halt and stumble.

But let it rather be healed;
the fallen believer be restored, the weak brother be confirmed, the halting professor be strengthened, and everyone be built up and established upon the most holy faith, and in the pure ways of the Gospel.

Hebrews 12:13 In-Context

11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 4:26
• 2. Galatians 6:1

Footnotes

• [a]. Prov. 4:26