Malachi 3:13 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Malachi 3:13-18

Among the people of the Jews at this time, though they all enjoyed the same privileges and advantages, there were men of very different characters (as ever were, and ever will be, in the world and in the church), like Jeremiah's figs, some very good and others very bad, some that plainly appeared to be the children of God and others that as plainly discovered themselves to be the children of the wicked one. There are tares and wheat in the same field, chaff and corn in the same floor; and here... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Malachi 3:13

Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord ,.... Hard and strong; they bore very hardly upon him, were exceeding impudent and insolent; murmuring at his providence; arraigning his justice and goodness; and despising his word, worship, and ordinances. Aben Ezra says, this is a prophecy concerning the time to come, that is, the times of the Messiah; and so it describes the Jews in his times. Yet ye say, what have we spoken so much against thee ? or "what have we spoken against... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 3:13

Your words have been stout against me - He speaks here to open infidels and revilers. What have we spoken - They are ready either to deny the whole, or impudently to maintain and defend what they had spoken! read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 3:13

Verse 13 Here again God expostulates with the Jews on account of their impious and wicked blasphemy in saying, that he disappointed his servants, and that he made no difference between good and evil, because he was kind to the unfaithful and the faithful indiscriminately, and also that he overlooked the obedience rendered to him. He says now that their words grew strong; by which he denotes their insolence, as though he had said, Vous avez gagné le plus haut; for חזק, chezak, is to be strong.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13

Your words have been stout against me. Ye have spoken hard words of me (comp. Jud 1:15, where we read of "the hard speeches ( σκληρῶν ) which ungodly sinners have spoken against" God). Some specimens of these speeches are given in answer to the usual sceptical inquiry. They are of the same character as those in Malachi 2:17 , and imply that the course of this world is not directed by a moral Governor. What have we spoken so much ( together ) against thee! What have we said against... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13-14

Religion delineated and depreciated. "Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord," etc. In these words we have religion delineated and depreciated. I. PRACTICAL RELIGION DELINEATED . Three expressions are here used to represent it. 1 . To serve God. "Ye have said, It is vain to serve God." There is a great difference between serving God and serving man. 2 . To keep God ' s ordinances. "We have kept his ordinance." This is only a branch of the service,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13-18

§ 3. The impious murmuring of the people is contrasted with the conduct of those who fear God; and the reward of the pious is set forth. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Malachi 3:13-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Malachi 3:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 3:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 3:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13-18

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

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

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