What does Proverbs 4:2 mean?

In this verse Solomon tells his sons—possibly meaning students—that his precepts are good, therefore they should not forsake them. The book of Proverbs assumes a progression from learning to knowledge to wisdom and then to understanding. This last stage is where someone can teach the precepts of godly wisdom to others. Since Solomon has that experience, it is good advice to follow his instructions.

Today, as always, believers need to discern what is true and reject what is false. The apostle John wrote: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). In the letter that bears his name, Jude summoned his readers to contend for the truth because certain people were perverting God's grace and denying the Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:3–4). In his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul commanded Timothy to "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2) because the time was approaching when people would not "endure sound teaching" but would attach themselves to teachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). Paul said those people would "turn away from listening to the truth" and "wander off into myths" (2 Timothy 4: 4).

If we heed the apostles' admonitions, we will cherish God's Word. It is truth (John 17:17), and "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16–17).