Proverbs 20 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Bible Comments
  • Proverbs 20:26 open_in_new

    The wheel — As the cart — wheel was anciently turned over the sheaves to beat the corn out of them. He punishes them as their offences deserve.

  • Proverbs 20:27 open_in_new

    The spirit — The reasonable soul. The candle — Is a clear and glorious light set up in man for his information and direction. Of the Lord — So called because it comes from God in a more immediate manner than the body, Ecclesiastes 12:7, and because it is in God's stead, to observe and judge all our actions. Searching — Discerning not only his outward actions, which are visible to others, but his most inward thoughts and affections. The belly is here put for the heart, as it is frequently.

  • Proverbs 20:30 open_in_new

    The blueness — Grievous wounds, which make men black and blue; or severe punishments. Cleanseth — Are the means to reclaim a wicked man, and to purge out his corruption. The belly — Of the heart. Grievous wounds or stripes cleanse not only the outward man by keeping it from evil actions, but even the inward man, by expelling or subduing vile affections: which is a great and blessed benefit of afflictions.