말라기 3:13-14 KRV

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13-18

Hard speeches against God. Once more God has to bring a charge against his people ( Malachi 3:13 ). Their words were "stout," bold, loud, defiant. Reverence and reticence were both wanting. Once more the plea is entered, "Not guilty." They will not admit that God is justified when he speaketh and clear when he judgeth. So once more God has to unfold the evidence, that their mouths may be stopped and they may be found guilty before God. I. HARD SPEECHES AGAINST GOD . 1 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:14

It is vain. It brings no acknowledgment or reward. The Latin and Greek Versions have, "He is vain who serveth God." Have kept his ordinance ( charge ) . Have done what he ordered. They are either wilfully deceiving themselves and others by pretending an obedience which they never really paid; or they think that the outward observance of certain legal requirements is all that is required. Some think that an interval of time separates this from the last section, and that meanwhile they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:14-15

Doubt of profit in serving God. "It is vain to serve God.'" The Prophet Zephaniah is more severe. "It shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil" ( Zephaniah 1:12 ). "The prophet condescends to identify himself with those whom he reproves. 'We call the proud happy; yea, we say, they that work wickedness are set up. Therefore it is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Malachi 3:13

Your words have been stout against Me - , probably “oppressive to Me,” as it is said, the famine was strong upon the land. And ye have said, “What have we spoken among ourselves against Thee?” Again, the entire unconsciousness of self-ignorance and self-conceit! They had criticized God, and knew it not. “Before, he had said Malachi 2:17. ‘Ye have wearied the Lord with your words, and ye said, Wherein have we wearied Him? When ye said, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord’”... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Malachi 3:14

Ye have said, It is vain to serve the God - o “as receiving no gain or reward for their service. This is the judgment of the world, whereby worldlings think pious, just, sincere, strict men, vain, i. e., especially when they see them impoverished, despised, oppressed, afflicted, because they know not the true goods of virtue and eternal glory, but measure all things by sight, sense and taste. Truly, if the righteous had not hope of another and better life, in vain would they afflict themselves,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Malachi 3:13-15

Malachi 3:13-15. Your words, &c. “From this verse to the end of Malachi 4:3, the prophet expostulates with the wicked for their hard speeches; and declares that God will make a fearful distinction between them and the righteous.” Newcome. Have been stout against me Your words have been blasphemous, and void of all reverence and duty. Ye have spoken injuriously of me, and have uttered such things as dishonour me. Ye have even arraigned my proceedings, and spoken against them. Yet ye... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Malachi 3:1-18

Cheating God (2:17-3:18)When the Jews saw surrounding nations prosper while they suffered hardship, they complained that God was not just. Other nations made no effort to keep God’s law, whereas Israel was his people (17). Malachi replies that if justice is what the Jews want, then justice is what they will have; but they must realize that such justice will apply to them as well as to their heathen neighbours. They have asked for the God of justice; now he will come and do his work of justice... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Malachi 3:13

stout = hard, or bold. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Malachi 3:14

ordiance = charge. Hebrew. mizvah . Not the same word as in Malachi 3:7 . Referring to general religious duties. walked mournfully before = gone off mournfully from the presence of Jehovah of hosts. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Malachi 3:13

"Your words have been stout against me, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, What have we spoken against thee?"In response to the charge of speaking against God, the people make their usual denial, professing an innocence which they are too wicked to merit, but their wickedness is not apparent to those whose minds have been darkened and whose hearts have been hardened. Very well, Malachi will spell it out for them in the next line of the prophecy. read more