Malachi 3 18

Malachi 3:18 kjv

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Malachi 3:18 nkjv

Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.

Malachi 3:18 niv

And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

Malachi 3:18 esv

Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

Malachi 3:18 nlt

Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."

Malachi 3 verses

Malachi 3 18 Meaning

Malachi 3:18 declares that a future divine act, particularly associated with the "Day of the Lord," will bring about a clear distinction. Those who once struggled to see the difference between the genuinely righteous and the overtly wicked, or between those truly serving God and those neglecting Him, will then clearly perceive this separation. It assures the faithful that God's justice will undeniably reveal His favored ones, contrasting them sharply with those who rebelled or remained apathetic, thereby settling the common complaint that wickedness goes unpunished.

Malachi 3 18 Context

The book of Malachi concludes the Old Testament with a prophecy to the post-exilic community (around 450 BC), emphasizing Israel’s spiritual deterioration after their return from Babylonian exile. The people were offering defiled sacrifices, neglecting tithes, abandoning their wives through divorce, and growing cynical about God’s justice, lamenting that "It is useless to serve God; what profit is it?" (Mal 3:14). They perceived that the proud and wicked prospered while the faithful suffered. Malachi 3:18 serves as a direct divine response and refutation to this cynicism. It promises a future, decisive day – the "Day of the Lord" (Mal 3:17, 4:1) – when God Himself will intervene and clearly distinguish between those who genuinely served Him and lived righteously, and those who rejected or neglected Him, affirming His ultimate justice and rewarding the faithful.

Malachi 3 18 Word analysis

• "Then" (וְשַׁבְתֶּם - wᵉšabtem): This connective word implies a significant shift or future event. It indicates that following a specific divine intervention – the purifying work and judgment outlined earlier in chapter 3 – the perception of God's people will change. This isn't just about human contemplation but a divinely enabled clarity.

• "you shall again" (wᵉšabtem, from shuv): The Hebrew verb shuv (שׁוּב) means "to turn, return, turn back." Here, in the Qal Perfect conjugation, it functions to denote a renewed action or understanding. It suggests that a clearer discernment, perhaps once known or expected, will be re-established. The present blurring of lines between the godly and the ungodly, which prompted the people’s cynicism (Mal 3:14-15), will cease.

• "discern" (וּרְאִיתֶם - u-re’item, from ra'ah): This word means "to see," but encompasses more than physical sight; it implies deep spiritual and intellectual perception, comprehension, and evaluation. It means to distinguish clearly, to grasp the qualitative difference between two entities. This discernment will be a tangible reality, validated by God's manifest justice.

• "between the righteous" (בֵּין צַדִּיק - ben tsaddiq): The Hebrew tsaddiq (צַדִּיק) describes one who is just, upright, in right relationship with God, and who adheres to His divine standards. These are the faithful remnant who "feared the LORD and pondered on His name" (Mal 3:16).

• "and the wicked" (וּבֵין רָשָׁע - u-vein rasha'): The Hebrew rasha' (רָשָׁע) refers to those who are morally corrupt, guilty, ungodly, and who actively defy or neglect God's commands. They are the ones who were seemingly prosperous and unchallenged despite their impiety, leading to the people's doubt (Mal 3:15).

• "between one who serves God" (בֵּין עֹבֵד אֱלֹהִים - ben 'oved 'Elohim): The term oved (עֹבֵד) signifies active, engaged, and devoted service, implying obedience, worship, and fidelity. Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a common Hebrew name for God. This phrase highlights practical devotion and committed living under God’s authority.

• "and one who does not serve Him" (וּבֵין אֵין עֲבָדוֹ - u-vein 'ein 'avado): This is a stark antithesis to active service. It points to a lack of genuine commitment, ranging from apathy and negligence to outright rebellion. It emphasizes that there is no neutral ground concerning one's relationship with God; one either serves Him or does not.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Then you shall again discern": This phrase functions as a strong divine assurance. It promises a future turning point where clarity will replace confusion, resolving the crisis of faith experienced by the Israelites. This renewed perception is not solely an intellectual exercise but a recognition made undeniable by God's visible actions.
  • "between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him": This parallel structure vividly illustrates the impending, clear division. The first pair ("righteous and wicked") emphasizes character and moral alignment with God's standards. The second pair ("one who serves God and one who does not serve Him") highlights practical commitment, devotion, and obedience. Together, they demonstrate that genuine righteousness is evidenced by service to God, while wickedness is marked by a refusal or neglect of such service. The repetition underscores the definitive nature of this separation.

Malachi 3 18 Bonus section

The promise in Malachi 3:18 functions as a significant statement of theodicy, justifying God's goodness and justice in a world where evil often appears to flourish. It connects deeply with the concept of God's "book of remembrance" mentioned in Malachi 3:16, emphasizing His meticulous awareness of the thoughts and actions of those who fear Him. The clarity of distinction that will emerge is directly linked to God's intervention, promising a resolution to the perplexity surrounding current injustices. This prophecy found its initial fulfillment in historical judgments, partially in the first coming of Christ when the light of God’s truth exposed darkness, and anticipates its ultimate consummation in Christ’s second coming, where final judgment will undeniably separate all of humanity. It reaffirms that true blessedness is found in being recognized as God's "special treasure" on His Day (Mal 3:17), not in fleeting earthly prosperity.

Malachi 3 18 Commentary

Malachi 3:18 is a pivotal promise delivered to a cynical post-exilic Israel, challenging their conclusion that serving God yielded no benefit and that the wicked unjustly prospered. This verse acts as God's direct refutation, promising that a future, undeniable manifestation of divine justice—the "Day of the Lord"—will clearly expose the fundamental distinction between those who truly honor and serve Him and those who do not. This discernment will not be mere human observation but a tangible, divine vindication of His justice and the worth of covenant faithfulness. It assures the beleaguered righteous that their commitment is not in vain, and the wicked will not ultimately escape judgment, bringing comfort to the faithful by guaranteeing ultimate clarity and recompense.