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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 4:20–27. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Solomon, having warned us not to do evil, here teaches us how to do well. It is not enough for us to shun the occasions of sin, but we must study the methods of duty.
I.We must have a continual regard to the word of God and endeavour that it may be always ready to us.
1.The sayings of wisdom must be our principles by which we must govern ourselves, our monitors to warn us of duty and danger; and therefore,
(1.)We must receive them readily: "Incline thy ear to them (Pro 4:20); humbly bow to them; diligently listen to them." The attentive hearing of the word of God is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart and a good means of carrying it on. It is to be hoped that those are resolved to do their duty who are inclined to know it.
(2.)We must retain them carefully (Pro 4:21); we must lay them before us as our rule: "Let them not depart from thy eyes; view them, review them, and in every thing aim to conform to them." We must lodge them within us, as a commanding principle, the influences of which are diffused throughout the whole man: "Keep them in the midst of thy heart, as things dear to thee, and which thou art afraid of losing." Let the word of God be written in the heart, and that which is written there will remain.
2.The reason why we must thus make much of the words of wisdom is because they will be both food and physic to us, like the tree of life, Rev 22:2; Eze 47:12. Those that seek and find them, find and keep them, shall find in them,
(1.)Food: For they are life unto those that find them, Pro 4:22. As the spiritual life was begun by the word as the instrument of it, so by the same word it is still nourished and maintained. We could not live without it; we may by faith live upon it.
(2.)Physic. They are health to all their flesh, to the whole man, both body and soul; they help to keep both in good plight. They are health to all flesh, so the Septuagint. There is enough to cure all the diseases of this distempered world. They are a medicine to all their flesh (so the word is), to all their corruptions, for they are called flesh, to all their grievances, which are as thorns in the flesh. There is in the word of God a proper remedy for all our spiritual maladies.
II.We must keep a watchful eye and a strict hand upon all the motions of our inward man, Pro 4:23. Here is,
1.A great duty required by the laws of wisdom, and in order to our getting and preserving wisdom: Keep thy heart with all diligence. God, who gave us these souls, gave us a strict charge with them: Man, woman, keep thy heart; take heed to thy spirit, Deu 4:9. We must maintain a holy jealousy of ourselves, and set a strict guard, accordingly, upon all the avenues of the soul; keep our hearts from doing hurt and getting hurt, from being defiled by sin and disturbed by trouble; keep them as our jewel, as our vineyard; keep a conscience void of offence; keep out bad thoughts; keep up good thoughts; keep the affections upon right objects and in due bounds. Keep them with all keepings (so the word is); there are many ways of keeping things - by care, by strength, by calling in help, and we must use them all in keeping our hearts; and all little enough, so deceitful are they, Jer 17:9. Or above all keepings; we must keep our hearts with more care and diligence than we keep any thing else. We must keep our eyes (Job 31:1), keep our tongues (Psa 34:13), keep our feet (Ecc 5:1), but, above all, keep our hearts.
2.A good reason given for this care, because out of it are the issues of life. Out of a heart well kept will flow living issues, good products, to the glory of God and the edification of others. Or, in general, all the actions of the life flow from the heart, and therefore keeping that is making the tree good and healing the springs. Our lives will be regular or irregular, comfortable or uncomfortable, according as our hearts are kept or neglected.
III.We must set a watch before the door of our lips, that we offend not with out tongue (Pro 4:24):
Put away from thee a froward mouth and perverse lips. Our hearts being naturally corrupt, out of them a great deal of corrupt communication is apt to come, and therefore we must conceive a great dread and detestation of all manner of evil words, cursing, swearing, lying, slandering, brawling, filthiness, and foolish talking, all which come from a froward mouth and perverse lips, that will not be governed either by reason or religion, but contradict both, and which are as unsightly and ill-favoured before God as a crooked distorted mouth drawn awry is before men. All manner of tongue sins, we must, by constant watchfulness and stedfast resolution, put from us, put far from us, abstaining from all words that have an appearance of evil and fearing to learn any such words.
IV.We must make a covenant with our eyes:
"Let them look right on and straight before thee, Pro 4:25. Let the eye be fixed and not wandering; let it not rove after every thing that presents itself, for then it will be diverted form good and ensnared in evil. Turn it from beholding vanity; let thy eye be single and not divided; let thy intentions be sincere and uniform, and look not asquint at any by-end." We must keep our eye upon our Master, and be careful to approve ourselves to him; keep our eye upon our rule, and conform to that; keep our eye upon our mark, the prize of the high calling, and direct all towards that. Oculum in metam - The eye upon the goal.
V.We must act considerately in all we do (Pro 4:26):
Ponder the path of thy feet, weigh it (so the word is); "put the word of God in one scale, and what thou hast done, or art about to do, in the other, and see how they agree; be nice and critical in examining whether thy way be good before the Lord and whether it will end well." We must consider our past ways and examine what we have done, and our present ways, what we are doing, whither we are going, and see that we walk circumspectly. It concerns us to consider what are the duties and what the difficulties, what are the advantages and what the dangers, of our way, that we may act accordingly. "Do nothing rashly."
VI.We must act with steadiness, caution, and consistency:
"Let all thy ways be established (Pro 4:26) and be not unstable in them, as the double-minded man is; halt not between two, but go on in an even uniform course of obedience; turn not to the right hand not to the left, for there are errors on both hands, and Satan gains his point if he prevails to draw us aside either way. Be very careful to remove thy foot from evil; take heed of extremes, for in them there is evil, and let thy eyes look right on, that thou mayest keep the golden mean." Those that would approve themselves wise must always be watchful.
Historical interpretation
Five Centuries of Reception
7 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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Virtue occupies the middle position; whence also he says, that manly courage is the mean between boldness and cowardice. And now he mentions the "right," not meaning thereby things which are right by nature, such as the virtues, but things which seem to thee to be right on account of their pleasures. Now pleasures are not simply sensual enjoyments, but also riches and luxury. And the "left" indicates envy, robberies, and the like. For "Boreas," says he, "is a bitter wind, and yet is called by name right." For, symbolically, under Boreas he designates the wicked devil by whom every flame of evil is kindled in the earth. And this has the name "right," because an angel is called by a right (propitious) name. Do thou, says he, turn aside from evil, and God will take care of thine end; for He will go before thee, scattering thine enemies, that thou mayest go in peace.
We must really walk on the King’s highway and take care not to turn aside from it either to the right hand or to the left, as the Proverbs say. For such is the case with our passions, and such in this matter is the task of the good shepherd, if he is to know properly the souls of his flock, and to guide them according to the methods of a pastoral care which is right and just, and worthy of our true Shepherd.
Let us hold fast, then, the confession of this faith, without faltering or failure. One alone is there who was born without sin, in the likeness of sinful flesh, who lived without sin amid the sins of others, and who died without sin on account of our sins. “Let us turn neither to the right hand nor to the left.” For to turn to the right hand is to deceive oneself, by saying that we are without sin; and to turn to the left is to surrender oneself to one’s sins with a sort of impunity, in I know not how perverse and depraved a recklessness.
Mark well the counsel which the Holy Spirit gives us by Solomon: “Make straight paths for your feet, and order your ways aright. Turn not aside to the right hand nor to the left, but turn away your foot from the evil way; for the Lord knows the ways on the right hand, but those on the left are perverse. He will make your ways straight, and will direct your steps in peace.” Now consider, my brothers, that in these words of holy Scripture, if there were no free will, it would not be said, “Make straight paths for your feet, and order your ways; turn not aside to the right hand, nor to the left.” Nor yet, were this possible for us to achieve without the grace of God, would it be afterwards added, “He will make your ways straight and will direct your steps in peace.”
And so one who wishes to go along the King’s highway by means of the “arms of righteousness which are on the right hand and on the left” ought by the teaching of the apostle to pass through “honor and dishonor, evil report and good report.” And with such care [such a person ought] to direct his virtuous course amid the swelling waves of temptation, with discretion at the helm and the Spirit of the Lord breathing on us, since we know that if we deviate ever so little to the right hand or to the left, we shall presently be dashed against most dangerous crags. And so we are warned by Solomon, the wisest of men: “Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left.” That is, do not flatter yourself on your virtues and be puffed up by your spiritual achievements on the right hand; nor, swerving to the path of vices on the left hand, seek from them for yourself (to use the words of the apostle) so as to “glory in your shame.”
Keep your foot from evil. This means do not deviate from the right, either to this side or that, because virtues seek discernment, and all excess is in vice. For the ways which are to the right, the Lord knows. That is, He has chosen, and they are pleasing to Him. Therefore, to those who are displeasing and reprobate He will say, I never knew you (Matt. 7:23); which is to say, I did not choose you, you are not pleasing to me. But He Himself will make your steps straight, etc. If you turn your foot away from evil, if you strive to do the good which I have taught with the Lord's help, He Himself will be propitious to your efforts, so that now you may walk rightly and then be able to reach eternal peace.
Do not turn to the right or to the left. The right way is taken as good, the left as reprobate. Therefore, we are forbidden to turn to the right way, but not to decline to the right. One turns to the left who is unjust; one turns to the right who arrogates to himself that he is just; one turns to the right who presumes on his own strengths; one turns to the left who, because of his frailty, despairs of being able to be saved; one turns to the left who serves folly; one turns to the right who wishes to be wiser than he ought to be. This is also understood in the same way concerning the rest of the virtues and vices.
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Summary
Proverbs 4:27 serves as a climactic and definitive exhortation within a father's comprehensive instruction to his son, urging an unwavering commitment to the path of wisdom and righteousness. It commands absolute steadfastness, prohibiting any deviation or compromise from the prescribed course, and insists on a decisive, active disengagement from all forms of evil, ensuring that one's life walk remains pure, purposeful, and fully aligned with divine truth.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 4:27 functions as the culminating practical directive in a passionate paternal appeal that spans the entirety of Proverbs chapter 4. The chapter commences with an earnest plea for the son to "hear, ye children, the instruction of a father" Proverbs 4:1, establishing wisdom as the paramount pursuit for life and understanding. Building upon this foundation, the father issues a series of specific, vital commands designed to safeguard the son's moral and spiritual integrity. These include the profound charge to "keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" Proverbs 4:23, followed by directives concerning speech ("put away from thee a froward mouth" Proverbs 4:24) and focus ("let thine eyes look right on" Proverbs 4:25). Immediately preceding verse 27, Proverbs 4:26 instructs the son to "Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established." Thus, Proverbs 4:27 provides the ultimate, concise imperative for maintaining these "established ways" by actively and decisively avoiding any form of deviation or engagement with evil, serving as a final, comprehensive charge for living a life consistently guided by wisdom.
Historical & Cultural Context
The book of Proverbs is deeply rooted in the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, where the transmission of practical and moral guidance from elders (typically fathers or respected sages) to the younger generation was a cornerstone of societal and religious education. In ancient Israel, wisdom was not merely theoretical knowledge but a practical skill for living a righteous, flourishing, and covenant-faithful life before God. The pervasive imagery of a "path" or "way" was highly pertinent in a geographical context where travel often occurred on unpaved, winding roads, making any deviation potentially perilous. Culturally, the "right hand" (Hebrew yâmîyn) frequently symbolized strength, honor, correctness, and favorable direction, while the "left hand" (Hebrew sᵉmôʼwl) could denote weakness, misfortune, or an improper course. The Hebrew term for "evil" (raʻ) was expansive, encompassing not only moral wickedness and sin but also misfortune, calamity, and anything that brought harm, distress, or divine disfavor. This holistic worldview meant that actions had direct, often immediate, consequences, and paternal instruction aimed to equip the son to navigate life's complexities successfully, ensuring he remained within the boundaries of divine expectation and societal well-being.
Key Themes
Proverbs 4:27 powerfully reinforces several core themes that permeate the book of Proverbs and the broader wisdom literature. The overarching theme is the paramount pursuit and preservation of wisdom, which is explicitly declared as "the principal thing" Proverbs 4:7. This verse underscores the singularity of purpose and unwavering focus required for walking in wisdom's path, emphasizing that true wisdom permits no moral or spiritual deviation or compromise. It highlights the theme of righteous living as a deliberate, active choice, where one must not only embrace the good but also actively and decisively avoid evil. The recurring imagery of the "path" is a central motif, representing one's entire life journey and moral conduct, starkly contrasting the "path of the just" Proverbs 4:18 with the "way of the wicked" Proverbs 4:19. Finally, the verse speaks profoundly to personal responsibility in maintaining one's moral integrity and spiritual purity, necessitating a conscious and intentional redirection of one's steps away from anything that would corrupt, defile, or lead astray.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root fundamentally means "to stretch or spread out," but crucially, it also carries the implication "to bend away" or "incline," encompassing moral deflection. In Proverbs 4:27, it conveys the imperative to avoid deviating from a straight path, emphasizing the need for direct, unwavering adherence to wisdom's way. It speaks to both physical and, more significantly, moral departure, urging the avoidance of any departure from the prescribed course of righteousness.
This word signifies "to turn off" or "take away." It implies a decisive, active withdrawal, separation, or disengagement. Here, it is an imperative to physically and morally distance oneself from evil, not merely to avoid it passively, but to actively disengage and prevent any involvement, proximity, or lingering connection to sin. It demands a deliberate act of severance.
This comprehensive term describes anything bad, wicked, or harmful, whether in a natural or moral sense. It refers to that which is contrary to God's character and commands, leading to adversity, distress, grief, or destruction. The instruction is to remove one's foot from anything that falls under this broad category of moral corruption, destructive influence, or anything that displeases God, highlighting the comprehensive nature of what must be shunned.
Verse Breakdown
"Turn not to the right hand nor to the left"
This injunction employs the vivid imagery of a straight path, urging the hearer not to deviate from the established course of righteousness and wisdom. It signifies a call for unwavering focus, singular devotion, and steadfast adherence to God's principles, avoiding any form of moral, spiritual, or doctrinal compromise or distraction. The "right hand" and "left hand" represent all possible deviations or extremes, implying that the path of wisdom is narrow, precise, and requires vigilant navigation.
"remove thy foot from evil"
This command is a direct, active imperative to decisively distance oneself from sin and its corrupting influences. The "foot" symbolically represents one's walk, actions, steps, and overall life's journey and conduct. To "remove thy foot from evil" means to proactively and decisively withdraw from any behavior, relationship, situation, or thought pattern that is morally corrupt, harmful, contrary to God's will, or leads to sin. It is a powerful call to active avoidance and complete separation from all forms of wickedness, emphasizing personal responsibility for one's moral trajectory and spiritual purity.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 4:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and profound message. The most prominent is Metaphor, where life and moral conduct are consistently depicted as a "path" or "way." The instruction "Turn not to the right hand nor to the left" uses this metaphor to represent the necessity of avoiding moral and spiritual deviation from the straight and narrow course of righteousness. This is further reinforced by the vivid Imagery of the "foot," which symbolizes one's actions, steps, and overall conduct in life. The phrase "remove thy foot from evil" is a powerful Imperative command, directly urging decisive and immediate action. The verse also utilizes Parallelism in its structure, with the first clause (the prohibition against turning aside) setting up and reinforcing the second (the command to remove one's foot from evil), both underscoring the central theme of steadfastness and separation from sin. The overall tone is one of earnest Exhortation, a passionate and authoritative plea from a father to a son, designed to impress upon him the critical importance of unwavering moral integrity and spiritual vigilance.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Proverbs 4:27 resonates deeply with the broader biblical emphasis on holiness, separation, and the diligent pursuit of righteousness. Theologically, it underscores the truth that God's ways are distinct, pure, and demand exclusive adherence, allowing no room for compromise with the world's values, deceptive ideologies, or the insidious allure of sin. This verse calls believers to a life of intentional and active discipleship, where every step and decision is carefully weighed against divine standards, and evil is not merely passively avoided but actively and decisively shunned. It reflects the overarching biblical narrative of a covenant people called to be set apart, walking in obedience and purity, understanding that true flourishing and blessedness come from aligning one's entire being—thoughts, words, and actions—with God's perfect and holy will.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 4:27 offers profound and timeless guidance for navigating the complexities and temptations of modern life, urging believers to cultivate an unwavering commitment to God's truth amidst a world saturated with distractions, moral ambiguities, and competing narratives. In an age of information overload and relentless cultural pressures, the command "Turn not to the right hand nor to the left" calls us to maintain a singular, undistracted focus on Christ and His authoritative teachings, resisting the pervasive temptation to compromise our convictions for popularity, personal comfort, or worldly success. This imperative demands active discernment of what influences our minds, shapes our hearts, and directs our actions—whether through media consumption, relationships, career pursuits, or leisure activities—and ensuring that these align unequivocally with biblical principles. Furthermore, "remove thy foot from evil" is a powerful call to proactive holiness and decisive moral action. It is not enough to passively avoid sin; we are commanded to decisively disengage from and physically or morally distance ourselves from anything that could lead us astray—unhealthy relationships, corrupting content, deceptive practices, or any form of spiritual compromise. This requires spiritual vigilance, courage to say a firm "no," and a daily, intentional commitment to walk in purity, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our steps and guard our hearts against every form of evil.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "Turn not to the right hand nor to the left" mean in practical terms for a believer today?
In practical terms, "Turn not to the right hand nor to the left" means maintaining an unwavering, undiluted focus on God's revealed will and the path of righteousness, without deviation or compromise. For a believer today, this translates to:
How does "remove thy foot from evil" relate to personal responsibility?
"Remove thy foot from evil" places a direct and profound emphasis on personal responsibility for one's moral and spiritual conduct. It implies that individuals possess agency and are fully accountable for the choices they make and the paths they choose to walk. This command is not a passive suggestion but an active, urgent imperative, highlighting that:
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 4:27 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of divine wisdom and the singular "Way, the Truth, and the Life" John 14:6. While the Old Testament sage instructs his son to avoid turning "to the right hand nor to the left" and to "remove thy foot from evil," Jesus perfectly lived out this command in every aspect of His earthly existence. He never deviated from the Father's perfect will, even in the face of the most intense temptations in the wilderness Matthew 4:1 or the agonizing prospect of the cross in Gethsemane Luke 22:42. His "foot" was never stained by evil; He was utterly "without sin" Hebrews 4:15, offering Himself as the spotless Lamb. For believers, this proverb points us to Christ not only as our perfect example but, more profoundly, as our empowering Lord. We are called to "walk in the Spirit" Galatians 5:16 and to "walk as Christ also walked" 1 John 2:6, empowered by His indwelling presence to turn from evil and stay resolutely on the narrow path that leads to eternal life Matthew 7:14. He is the one who enables us to remove our feet from evil's deceptive grip, having triumphed over sin, death, and all spiritual principalities through His cross Colossians 2:15.