What does "train up a child in the way he should go" mean?
Quick answer
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). It is a wisdom principle, not an iron-clad guarantee — children raised in godly homes usually return to that path, but Proverbs describes general truth, not absolute law.
Hebrew "train up" carries the idea of dedication and shaping — early, intentional formation in God’s ways.
Proverbs are wise generalizations, not promises. Many godly parents have wayward children; many wayward childhoods have ended in faith.
Take it as motivation and comfort: pour the gospel into your kids; God uses faithful parenting; trust him with the timing.
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Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.