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Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley, [1754-65], at sacred-texts.com


Proverbs Chapter 3

Proverbs 3:1

pro 3:1

My law - The law of God, which might be called his law, as the gospel is called Paul's gospel, Ti2 2:8, because delivered by him.

Proverbs 3:3

pro 3:3

Mercy - Mercy denotes all benignity, charity, and readiness to do good to others: truth or faithfulness respects all those duties which we owe to God or man, which we have special obligation from the rules of justice. Bind them - Like a chain, wherewith persons adorn their necks. Table - In thy mind and heart, in which all God's commands are to be received and engraven.

Proverbs 3:4

pro 3:4

Understanding - Whereby to know thy duty, and to discern between good and evil. Of God - Grace or favour with God, and that understanding which is good in God's sight.

Proverbs 3:5

pro 3:5

Trust - Wholly rely upon God's promises and providences. Lean not - Under this one kind of carnal confidence, he understands all other confidence in bodily strength, wealth, or friends.

Proverbs 3:8

pro 3:8

Navel - To thy body, which is signified by one part of it. Marrow - Which is the nourishment and strength of the bones.

Proverbs 3:9

pro 3:9

Substance - Lay out thy estate not to please thyself, but to glorify God. First - fruits - Or, with the chief or best; which answers to the first - fruits under the law.

Proverbs 3:10

pro 3:10

So - This is not the way to diminish thy estate, but rather to increase it.

Proverbs 3:11

pro 3:11

Despise not - Either by making light of it, or not being duly affected with it; or by accounting it an unnecessary thing: but rather esteem it a privilege and favour from God. Weary - Neither think it tedious or hard, but endure it with patience and chearfulness.

Proverbs 3:13

pro 3:13

Findeth - Which supposes his diligent searching for it.

Proverbs 3:17

pro 3:17

Peace - Procure a blessed tranquility in a man's mind and conscience.

Proverbs 3:18

pro 3:18

A tree - A pledge of everlasting life. He alludes to the tree of life, and intimates, that this is the only restorer of that life which we have lost by sin.

Proverbs 3:19

pro 3:19

Wisdom - Either by Christ, or by that Divine perfection of wisdom, which is the fountain of wisdom in man.

Proverbs 3:20

pro 3:20

The depths - That great abyss contained in the bowels of the earth, breaks forth into fountains and rivers.

Proverbs 3:21

pro 3:21

Eyes - The eyes of thy mind. Constantly and seriously meditate upon them.

Proverbs 3:22

pro 3:22

Grace - Like a beautiful chain or ornament.

Proverbs 3:25

pro 3:25

Be not - Thou shalt not be afraid. Sudden - For sudden and unexpected evils are most frightful. And fear is here put for the evils feared. Desolation - Which cometh upon the wicked.

Proverbs 3:26

pro 3:26

Shall be - A sure ground of confidence to thee. Taken - In the snares either of sin or mischief.

Proverbs 3:27

pro 3:27

With - hold not - Do not deny it, but readily and chearfuly impart it. Good - Any thing which is good, either counsel, comfort, reproof, or the good things of the present life. Due - That is, to all men, by that great and sovereign law of love.

Proverbs 3:28

pro 3:28

Say not - The former verse forbad the denial, and this forbids the delay of this duty.

Proverbs 3:29

pro 3:29

Securely - Relying upon thine integrity.

Proverbs 3:31

pro 3:31

Envy not - For his impunity and success.

Proverbs 3:32

pro 3:32

Abomination - Therefore sooner or later he must be miserable. The righteous - They are God's friends, to whom he imparts the favours and comforts to which other men are strangers.

Proverbs 3:33

pro 3:33

The house - Not only upon his own person, but also upon his posterity.

Proverbs 3:35

pro 3:35

Shame - Instead of that glory which they seek.


Next: Proverbs Chapter 4