| Geneva Study Bible {k} The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. (k) Sharp punishment that pierces even the inward parts is profitable for the wicked to bring them to amendment. Wesley's Notes 20:30 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. King James Translators' Notes cleanseth...: Heb. is a purging medicine against Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 30. blueness-literally, "joining," the process of uniting the edges of a wound throws off purulent matter. stripes . belly-So punishment provides healing of soul (Pr 18:8), by deterring from evil courses. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 20:30. Severe rebukes sometimes do a great deal of good. But such is the corruption of nature, that men are loth to be rebuked for their sins. If God uses severe afflictions, to purify our hearts and fit us for his service, we have cause to be very thankful. | 
