Proverbs 4:12
When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
{ "hasHistoricalBackground": false }
This verse comes as a direct consequence of the father's instruction in the preceding verses to "attend to my words" and "keep them in your heart." The father is painting a picture of the profound, life-altering benefits that embracing wisdom offers, contrasting it implicitly with the perilous path of folly that has been warned against. The promise here is that a life lived according to wisdom will be characterized by freedom, security, and stability, whether one is moving deliberately or with great speed.
Ever feel like you're constantly hitting roadblocks or that your options are limited?
The verse promises that when you follow wisdom, your steps won't be 'straitened.' This means you won't feel confined, restricted, or hemmed in.
Freedom from Embarrassment
Instead of facing difficulties or embarrassments, wisdom helps you navigate life with clarity. It's about making wise choices that keep your path clear, especially in your dealings and daily life.
Openness and Liberty
Following wisdom leads to a wide-open field of truth and duty. You're not boxed in by poor decisions or external pressures because you're walking with a clear conscience and understanding.
Life often calls us to move quickly. How can we do so without falling flat on our faces?
The second part of the verse addresses the moments when life requires us to move with speed – 'when you run.' The promise here is that you 'will not stumble.'
Alacrity in Duty
This speaks to making swift, cheerful progress in fulfilling God's commands and running the race of faith. It's about moving with purpose and energy.
Guarded Against Snares
When you're moving quickly in wisdom's path, you're less likely to stumble into sin, worldly temptations, or Satan's traps. Wisdom provides a guiding principle that prevents major errors, even in urgent situations.
This psalm describes God making a king's path wide and sure, directly paralleling the idea in Proverbs of wisdom preventing our steps from being confined or causing us to stumble.
Proverbs 3:5-6These verses directly link trusting in the Lord and acknowledging Him with Him making our paths straight, which is the underlying principle of why wisdom leads to unhindered steps.
John 14:6Jesus declares Himself to be 'the way, the truth, and the life,' echoing the concept that following wisdom (or Christ) provides a clear and sure path, preventing stumbling.
Romans 8:28This verse assures believers that God works all things for good for those who love Him, underscoring the divine support that ensures a righteous path, free from insurmountable obstacles.
1 Corinthians 10:13This passage speaks to God being faithful and not allowing us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, providing a way out of temptation, which aligns with wisdom preventing us from stumbling.
clarkeProverbs 4:12: "When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble."
Thy steps shall not be straitened - True wisdom will teach thee to keep out of embarrassments. A man under the influence of true religion ponders his paths, and carefully poises occurring circumstances; and as the fear of God will ever lead him to act an upright and honest part, so his way in business and life is both clear and large. He has no by-ends to serve; he speculates not;…
gillProverbs 4:12: "When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble."
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened,.... By enemies, or attended with difficulties and obstructions, or subject to dangers, but be at freedom and liberty in walking; for though saints do not walk in the broad road with sinners, yet they are brought into a large place, and their steps are enlarged under them, and their hearts are enlarged to run the way of God's comm…
{ "hasHistoricalBackground": false }
This verse comes as a direct consequence of the father's instruction in the preceding verses to "attend to my words" and "keep them in your heart." The father is painting a picture of the profound, life-altering benefits that embracing wisdom offers, contrasting it implicitly with the perilous path of folly that has been warned against. The promise here is that a life lived according to wisdom will be characterized by freedom, security, and stability, whether one is moving deliberately or with great speed.
This verse comes as a direct consequence of the father's instruction in the preceding verses to "attend to my words" and "keep them in your heart." The father is painting a picture of the profound, life-altering benefits that embracing wisdom offers, contrasting it implicitly with the perilous path of folly that has been warned against. The promise here is that a life lived according to wisdom will be characterized by freedom, security, and stability, whether one is moving deliberately or with great speed.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Proverbs 4:12 is available in the Sola app.
"When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble." — { "hasHistoricalBackground": false }
