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