Malachi 3:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:2

The severe side of Messiah's mission. "Like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap." It is usually shown that the triumphant side of Messiah's mission wholly occupied the mind of the Jews, and that consequently the stern, judgment side needed to be presented vigorously. But some recent accounts of the actual condition of Jewish thought in the first century suggest that the fears of Messiah's time were so extravagant that they needed to be corrected and qualified. The stern things of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:3

He shall sit. As a judge. The prophet confines himself to the first of the two images presented in the preceding verse. The sons of Levi. Especially the priests, who ought to set an example, and teach holiness and obedience. Thus judgment should begin at the house of God ( Ezekiel 9:6 ; 1 Peter 4:17 ). The purifying consists not only in exterminating the evil, but also in correcting and improving all who are not wholly incorrigible. We may call to mind Christ's purging of the temple,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:3

Messiah as a Refiner. Moses gives Messiah the Leader, who should permanently take his place. Isaiah gives us Messiah the Sufferer, Conqueror, and Comforter, matching the condition of Israel as suffering and exiled. Daniel gives us Messiah the Prince, matching the condition of the people as anticipating the restoration of their kingdom. Malachi gives Messiah the Refiner, matching the condition of the people as in a state of moral and religious degradation. It is important to note the many... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Malachi 3:2

And who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appeareth? - The implied answer is, “No one;” as in the Psalm Psalms 130:3, “If Thou, Lord, wilt mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Joel had asked the same , “The day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” “How can the weakness of man endure such might; his blindness, such light; his frailty, such power; his uncleanness, such holiness; the chaff, such a fire? For He is like a refine’s fire. Who... read more

Albert Barnes

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

And He shall sit - o as a King and Judge on His throne, with authority, yet also to try accurately the cause of each, separating seeming virtues from real graces; hypocrites, more or less consciously, from His true servants.He shall purify o the sons of Levi - These had been first the leaders in degeneracy, the corrupters of the people by their example and connivance. Actually Acts 6:7, “a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Barnabas also was a Levite. Acts 4:36. But more... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Malachi 3:2

Malachi 3:2. But who may abide the day of his coming The LXX. read, τις υωομενει ημεραν εισοδου αυτου , who shall be able to bear the day of his coming? So also the Chaldee. “Quare hoc?” “Why this?” says Grotius: “Because he himself shall bear the cross, that he may come to the kingdom, and shall show the same way to his followers.” The day of his coming, with respect to the Jews, includes all the time from the beginning of his preaching, to the total destruction of their temple and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Malachi 3:3-4

Malachi 3:3-4. And he shall sit as a refiner He shall be diligently employed in his office, in performing which he shall resemble a refiner and purifier of silver. And he shall purify the sons of Levi And whereas the misconduct of the sons of Levi has been very great, (particularly of those who have been taken notice of and reproved in the foregoing chapters,) the Messiah when he comes will reform these abuses, and purify the worship of God from such corruptions. And purge them as gold... 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 3:2

who may abide. ? Compare Joel 2:11 . Figure. abide = endure soap = lye; as in Job 9:30 , i.e. water mixed with the ashes of certain plants containing alkali. Compare Mark 9:3 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

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

He shall purify. Judgment begins at the house of God. See 1 Peter 4:17 . offer = bring near. offering = a gift offering. Hebrew. minchah . Not the same word as in Malachi 3:8 . read more

Group of Brands