Malachi 3:16 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Malachi 3:16

Then they that feared the Lord spake often among themselves - The proud-speaking of the ungodly called out the piety of the God-fearing. “The more the ungodly spake against God, the more these spake among themselves for God.” Both went on until the Great Day of severance. True, as those said, the distinction between righteous and wicked was not made yet, but it was stored up out of sight. They “spake among themselves,” strengthening each other against the ungodly sayings of the ungodly.And the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Malachi 3:16-17

Malachi 3:16-17. Then When contempt of God was grown to such a height; they that feared the Lord Those that were truly religious, that knew God’s judgments to be a great deep, and that his ways are as high above our ways as heaven is above the earth; spake often one to another Conversed together about spiritual things the more frequently: for though it is not said what was the subject of their conversation with each other, yet we have reason to believe it was as good concerning God and... 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 3:16

Then: i.e. when Malachi had spoken thus unto them, at a time of such apostasy, show us what is possible and practicable in these like days and "perilous times" which are closing this present Dispensation. feared = revered. spake. As in Malachi 3:13 . one to another. Each one with his friend. and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton , App-6 . hearkened, and heard. As He heard the groaning of Israel (Exodus 2:23 , Exodus 2:24 ); Moses, without words (Exodus 14:15 ); and Nehemiah... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Malachi 3:16

"Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name."Christians should not trouble themselves about the justice of God. God Himself is keeping the records; he knows them that are his; their eternal felicity is assured; God hears their prayers; God will reward them gloriously."They that feared Jehovah spake often with one another ..." The need of the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Malachi 3:16-18

Malachi 3:16-18. Then they that feared the Lord— Houbigant remarks, that by the word jewels in Mal 3:17 are meant those who feared God, and embraced the faith of the Gospel. This, says he, is principally to be understood of those Jerusalem Christians who retreated to Pella, when the destruction of Jerusalem drew nigh. But Mr. Peters, I think, justly observes, that the last verse fixes the time to the resurrection, and the general judgment; when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, and... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Malachi 3:16

16. "Then," when the ungodly utter such blasphemies against God, the godly hold mutual converse, defending God's righteous dealings against those blasphemers (Hebrews 3:13). The "often" of English Version is not in the Hebrew. There has been always in the darkest times a remnant that feared God (1 Kings 19:18; Romans 11:4). feared the Lord—reverential and loving fear, not slavish terror. When the fire of religion burns low, true believers should draw the nearer together, to keep the holy flame... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Malachi 3:16

Upon hearing the Lord’s rebuke through His prophet, some of Malachi’s hearers who genuinely feared the Lord got together. Evidently they discussed Malachi’s message and agreed among themselves that they needed to repent. They even wrote down their commitment on a scroll."Almost surely this was a scroll that contained their names as signatories to some sort of statement of their commitment to Yahweh in faith that they were disassociating themselves from the prevailing sins, that his promises... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 3:1-18

3The Speedy Judgment1. This v. is closely connected with the preceding. It is the answer to the question, ’Where is the God of judgment?’ The messenger is evidently a prophet or a succession of prophets: cp. Deuteronomy 18:9-22. The phrase he shall prepare the way before me is probably borrowed from Isaiah 40:3-5, where the thought is that a highway must be prepared on which ’the Glory of the Lord’ may lead Israel to the land of Canaan. Zechariah (Zechariah 8:8) had promised that Jehovah would... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Malachi 3:1-18

REBUKE OF INFIDELITY. THE ADVENT OF THE LORD FORETOLD (Malachi 2:17 to Malachi 3:18).(17) A new section of the prophecy begins with this verse. The prophet now directs his reproofs against the people for their discontent and their want of faith in the promises of God, because the expected manifestation of God’s glory did not take place immediately. Because the doers of evil seem to flourish, the people say that God takes delight in them, “or” i.e., if this be not the case, “Where is the God of... read more