--- title: "John Wesley's Notes on the Whole Bible" author: "John Wesley" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 171 of 398 url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-wesley-notes-on-the-whole-bible/171/ cite: "John Wesley, John Wesley's Notes on the Whole Bible, section 171. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-wesley-notes-on-the-whole-bible/171/" --- # John Wesley's Notes on the Whole Bible *John Wesley* Wesley's short, plain notes on the Old and New Testaments, verse by verse. ## 171. Proverbs · 9 of 13 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-wesley-notes-on-the-whole-bible/171/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-wesley-notes-on-the-whole-bible/171/#p-N [¶0] Bound - Is fixed and settled there, as being born with him, and rooted in his very nature. [¶1] That giveth - That prodigally casts away his estate upon those who do not need it. [¶2] My knowledge - The knowledge of God, which I am here delivering. [¶3] Fitted - Fitly expressed: thou wilt be able to discourse profitably of them. [¶4] In counsels and knowledge - In counsels which proceed from found knowledge. [¶5] Answer - That thou mayst be able to give solid, and satisfactory answers. [¶6] In the gate - Under pretence of justice. [¶7] Spoil the soul - Take away not only their goods but their lives too. [¶8] Before kings - He is fit to be employed in the affairs of princes. [¶9] Ruler - With a great man. [¶10] Put a knife - Restrain thine appetite, as if a man stood with a knife at thy throat. [¶11] Deceitful - They do not yield thee that satisfaction which thou didst expect from them. [¶12] Thine own wisdom - From worldly wisdom, which persuades men to use all possible means to get riches. [¶13] Set thine eyes - Look upon it with earnestness and desire. Is not - Which has no solid and settled being. Eagle - Swiftly, strongly, and irrecoverably. [¶14] Evil eye - Of the envious or covetous man. [¶15] So is he - You are not to judge of him by his words, but by the constant temper of his mind. [¶16] Vomit up - When thou perceivest his churlish disposition, his meat will be loathsome to thee. Sweet words - Thy pleasant discourse wherewith thou didst design to delight and profit him. [¶17] Of a fool - Cast not away good counsels upon incorrigible sinners. [¶18] Enter not - To possess their lands. [¶19] Redeemer - Heb. their near kinsman, to whom it belongs to avenge their wrongs, and to recover and maintain their rights. [¶20] Shall not die - It is a likely way to prevent his destruction. [¶21] My reins - I shall rejoice with all my soul. [¶22] An end - An expected and happy end for such as fear God. [¶23] Guide - Order the whole course of thine affections and actions. In the way - In God's way. [¶24] Buy - Purchase it upon any terms, spare no pains or cost. Truth - The true and saving knowledge of God's will. Sell it not - Do not forsake it for any worldly advantage. [¶25] Give me - Solomon here speaks in God's name. [¶26] Mixt wine - Either mixed with water, or with other ingredients to make it strong and delicious. [¶27] Red - Which was the colour of the best wines in that country. Aright - When it sparkles, and seems to smile upon a man. [¶28] Lieth down - To sleep. Sea - In a ship in the midst of the sea. [¶29] Sick - I was not sensible of it. Again - At present my condition requires sleep to settle myself, and when I am composed, I purpose to return to my former course. [¶30] Destruction - How they may oppress and destroy others. [¶31] Through wisdom - There is no need that thou shouldest raise thy family by ruining others, which thou mayest more effectually do by wisdom. [¶32] By knowledge - Which in scripture phrase includes the love and practice of what we know. [¶33] Is strong - Is courageous and resolute, and able by wisdom to do greater things than others can accomplish by strength. [¶34] Thy war - War is better managed by wisdom than by strength. [¶35] A fool - For a wicked man, whose sins enfeeble his mind, and make it incapable of wisdom. Openeth not - He knows not how to speak acceptably, and profitably in the publick assembly. [¶36] Shall be called - Though he cover his wicked devices with fair pretences, he shall be branded with that infamy which is due to him. [¶37] The thought - The very inward thought or contrivance of evil, is a sin in God's sight. [¶38] Deliver - When it is in thy power. Drawn - By the violence of lawless men. [¶39] Consider - That this is only a frivolous excuse. [¶40] Eat - This is not a command, but a concession, and is only here expressed to illustrate the following verse. Honey in those parts was an usual food. [¶41] A reward - It is not only sweet for the present, but brings a sure and everlasting reward. [¶42] Falleth - Into calamities, of which he evidently speaks both in the foregoing verse, and in the following branch of this verse. Fall - Frequently into irrecoverable destruction. [¶43] Falleth - Into mischief. [¶44] From him - Understand, upon thee, which is implied in the Hebrew phrase.