Proverbs 20:30 Commentary and Bible Study

The proverb must be expanded from its truncated form in order for us to understand it, but this is not hard given the total thought of the verse and the overall context. If the cleansing away of evil is accomplished by the administering of wounds or bruises, then these bruises are clearly delivered in discipline and correction to chastise the wayward. The verse is not about how wounds or bruises heal, but about the beneficial and healing effects of discipline on the soul to turn it away from evil. The Scripture rises far higher than the consideration of the body alone. The illustration is very graphic for Solomon focuses on the bruise resulting from the blow and makes it stand for the whole correction process. The bruise is something good because it is caused by a stripe or a blow intended to punish, to warn, to turn the sinner back from his evil ways. The KJV substitutes the word blueness because of the characteristic colour of a bruise, but the word is bruise or wound. The pain of the discipline must be reflected on by the one being punished. It is a lesser, non-fatal hurt which should be taken to heart so as to avoid the far more terrible and eternal blow which will fall on the wicked at the last judgement. The second half of the proverb confirms this interpretation of the first half, and has to do with the purging of evil from the heart. The belly is a figure for the inner part of man’s being, his soul where his conscious life arises from. Strokes delivered to a child not only correct his outward behaviour, but modify his thinking, his character, and his whole way of life.