12:13

keep making straight paths for your feet: That is, set one’s feet on, or follow, straight paths and be determined never to stray to the right or to the left from “the road leading off into life,” even in the face of hardship and discouragement. (Mt 7:14) A straight path makes it possible for a person to advance quickly and in the right direction in order to reach the goal. Paul is evidently alluding to Pr 4:26 according to the Septuagint. The general context of Pr 4:20-27 involves choosing the path of wisdom and steadfastly refusing to be diverted or to stray onto morally crooked roads.

straight paths: Paul uses the term “path” figuratively. The Greek word could refer to a track made by wheels. When such vehicles as wagons or chariots passed repeatedly over a path, their wheels formed ruts that, in time, created a clearer, straighter track. A traveler who walked along, following those tracks, could avoid deviating from the way and getting lost. Such tracks were also smooth, thus making them easier to follow.

so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but, rather, may be healed: As in verse 12, Paul urges all Christians to strengthen one another so that all would be able to reach the goal. Spiritually stronger ones in the congregation needed to be particularly careful not to stumble those who were lame, or weaker in faith, by doing things that may have been lawful but were troubling to such ones. Weaker ones too could apply this inspired counsel; they would thus avoid stumbling or injuring themselves.​—Ro 15:1; compare study note on Mt 5:29.