Malachi 3:18

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 3:18

Then shall ye return ,.... Either the wicked, who will be "converted" F26 ושב־תאם "et convertemini", Cocceius, Gussetius, so Pagninus, Montanus; "conversi", Drusius, Junius & Tremellius. , as some render the word, and will have a different view of things, and change their minds and language; or they that feared the Lord, who at the time before spoken of will have a new turn of thought, and another and clear discerning of persons and things, and better judge of the dispensations... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 3:18

Then shall ye return - To your senses, when perhaps too late; and discern - see the difference which God makes, between the righteous and the wicked, which will be most marked and awful. Between him that serveth God - Your obedience to whom, ye said, would be unprofitable to you. And hits that serveth him not - Of whom ye said, his disobedience would be no prejudice to him. You will find the former received into the kingdom of glory; and the latter, with yourselves, thrust down into... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 18 This verse at the first view seems to be addressed to the faithful; for there never has been a turning as to the reprobate: but as the word has a wide meaning, the passage may be suitably applied to the whole people, according to what we find in Zechariah, “They shall see him whom they have pierced;” for we have said that this might be understood both of the good and of the bad. So also the whole people might be viewed as addressed in these words. But when we more minutely examine all... 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 3:16-18

Genuine religion. Then they that feared the Lord stake often one to another," etc. We shall use these words to illustrate genuine religion, and three things are noteworthy— I. THE ESSENCE OF GENUINE RELIGION . "They that feared the Lord." The men who fear God may be divided into two classes. 1 . Those who fear him with a slavish fear. The unrenewed millions when they think of him at all dread him; their guilty consciences invest him with attributes of such horror that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:18

Then shall ye return, and discern; or, ye shall again discern. They had already had many opportunities, both in the history of the nation and the life of individuals, of observing the different treatment of the godly and of sinners; but in the day of the Lord they should have a more plain and convincing proof of God's moral government (comp. Exodus 11:7 ; Wis. 5:1-5); "So that men shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous; verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth" ( ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Malachi 3:18

Then shall ye return, or turn - , not, “return” in the sense of returning to God, for in that day will be the time of judgment, not of repentance; nor yet, “then shall ye again see;” for this is what they denied; and, if they had ceased to deny it, they would have been converted, not in that day, but before, when God gave them grace to see it. They shall turn, so as to have other convictions than before; but, as Judas. The Day of Judgment will make a great change in earthly judgment. Last shall... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Malachi 3:18

Malachi 3:18. Then shall ye Ye contemners of God and religion; return and discern See clearly, and distinguish perfectly; between the righteous and the wicked Between the characters and the portion of the truly righteous, and of those who are not so. How different the lot is, and to all eternity will be, between the former and the latter; between him that serveth God And makes conscience of his duty to him, and him that serveth him not But puts contempt upon his service. You that... read more

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