The book of Proverbs are principles in which we should live by. When we read Prov. 22:6
it is easy to understand this passage as a command, even a promise from God Himself. However,
Proverbs are general wisdom not universal truth, they are principles for ordering and guiding our
lives. According to David Guzik in his study guide for proverbs, “Train up: “Chanac, which we
translate train up or initiate, signifies also dedicate; and is often used for the consecrating of
anything, house, or person, to the service of God. Dedicate, therefore, in the first instance,
your child to God; and nurse, teach, and discipline him as God’s child, whom he has entrusted to
your care.”1
Translation and the understanding of different genres of the Bible is imperative to
properly interpreting the Scripture. Without this knowledge, parents may find themselves citing
Prov. 22:6 as a promise from God instead of a principle to live by. Klein, Blomberg and Hubbard
define Proverbs like this, “By nature proverbs are not absolute promises from God that guarantee
the promised outcome if one follows them. Rather, they point out patterns of conduct that, if
followed, give one the best chance of success. In other words, they offer general principles for
successful living rather than a comprehensive legal code for life.”2
Tripp says this, “Formative instruction “forms” or “shapes” our children. It is not a single
event, but a lifetime of interaction that is based on God’s revelation. We are promised that our
teaching will bear fruit in our children’s lives (Prov. 22:6).”3 Proverbs are a guide for our lives
and the way in which we should raise our children, however, they are not promises like other
books in the Bible. Richard Pratt puts it this way, “The proverbs commend certain paths to
1 “Study Guide for Proverbs 22 by David Guzik,” Blue Letter Bible, accessed June 1, 2021,
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Pro/Pro-22.cfm.
2 William Wade Klein, Craig Leonard Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017), 315.
3 Tedd Tripp and Margy Tripp, Instructing a Child's Heart (Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2018), 18.
family members because they reflect the ways God ordinarily distributes His blessings. But
ordinarily does not mean necessarily…Proverbs are not promises.”4
4“Broken Homes in the Bible by Richard Pratt Jr.,” Ligonier Ministries, accessed June 1, 2021,
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/broken-homes-in-the-bible/.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
