Malachi 3:18 | |
18. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. | 18. Et convertemini, et videbitis inter justum et impium, inter servientem Deo et eum qui non servit ei. |
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 circumstances, it seems that Malachi more particularly addressed the ungodly, and checked again their furious blasphemies; for we find almost the same sentiment expressed here, as when he said, "The Lord whom ye expect shall come to his temple, and the angel of the covenant whom ye seek;" and at the same time he showed that the coming of Christ, which they said was advancing too slowly, would not be such as they desired or looked for. "Let not this delay," he says, "be grievous to you; for everything terrible which his majesty possesses will be turned on your heads; for he will come as an angry judge and an avenger: ye therefore in vain hope for any comfort or alleviation from his presence."
So also he says in this place,
We now then perceive the Prophet's meaning -- that the ungodly who clamor against God, as though he made no account either of the just or of the unjust, shall find, even to their own loss, that he is one who punishes wickedness.
As to the verb
The
1 Both Newcome and Henderson regard this verb as used here adverbially. "And ye shall again discern, or, see the difference, between the righteous and the wicked." The Septuagint give it as a verb "ejpistrafh>sesqe--ye shall return." The same is done by Jerome and Marckius; and the latter gives a similar view of its import to what is given here. Dathius takes it meaning to be the same, "And being better taught (or instructed--medius edocti) ye shall then understand how great is the difference between the godly and the ungodly, between the worshipper of God and his despiser."--Ed.
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