Malachi 3:14 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 3:14

Ye have said, it is vain to serve God ,.... This they said in their hearts, if not with their lips, that it was a vain thing for a man to serve God; he got nothing by it; he had no reward for it; it fared no better with him than the wicked; nay, the wicked fared better than he; and therefore who would be a worshipper of God? see Job 21:15 . Abarbinel understands this also with respect to God, who is worshipped; to whom worship, say these men, is no ways profitable, nor does he regard it;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 3:14

Ye have said, It is vain to serve God - They strove to destroy the Divine worship; they asserted that it was vanity; that, if they performed acts of worship, they should be nothing the better; and if they abstained, they should be nothing the worse. This was their teaching to the people. Walked mournfully - Even repentance they have declared to be useless. This was a high pitch of ungodliness; but see what follows; behold the general conclusions of these reprobates: - read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 3:14

Verse 14 He then gives the reason why he said, that their words grew strong against God, that is, that they daringly and furiously spoke evil of God; and the reason was, because they said, that God was worshipped in vain. They thought that they worshipped God perfectly; and this was their false principle; for hypocrites ever lay claim to complete holiness, and cannot bear to confess their own evils; even when their conscience goads them, they deceive themselves with vain flatteries, and always... 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

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 3:14

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Malachi 3:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 3:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 3:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:14-15

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

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