Proverbs 14:14

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways -

1. Who is the backslider? סוג sug.

1. The man who once walked in the ways of religion, but has withdrawn from them.

2. The man who once fought manfully against the world, the devil, and the flesh; but has retreated from the battle, or joined the enemy.

3. The man who once belonged to the congregation of the saints, but is now removed from them, and is set down in the synagogue of Satan.

2. But who is the backslider in Heart?

1. Not he who was surprised and overcome by the power of temptation, and the weakness of his own heart.

2. But he who drinks down iniquity with greediness.

3. Who gives cheerful way to the bent of his own nature, and now delights in fulfilling the lusts of the flesh and of the mind.

4. Who loves sin as before he loved godliness.

3. What are his own ways? Folly, sin, disappointment, and death; with the apprehension of the wrath of God, and the sharp twingings of a guilty conscience.

4. What is implied in being filled with his own ways? Having his soul saturated with folly, sin, and disappointment. At last ending here below in death, and then commencing an eternal existence where the fire is not quenched, and under the influence of that worm that never dieth. Alas, alas! who may abide when God doeth this?

And a good man shall be satisfied from himself -

1. Who is the good man? (איש טוב ish tob).

continued...

Shall be satisfied - These words are not in the original. Repeat the verb from the first clause, "He who falls away from God in his heart, shall be filled with his own ways; and the good man (shall be filled) with that which belongs to him."

14:14 In heart - He who departs from God inwardly. Filled - With the fruit of his ways, the punishment of his sins. Satisfied - From the pious temper of his own heart, which cleaves to the Lord, he shall receive unspeakable comfort.