Malachi 1:6

“A son honoureth [his] father, and a servant his master, etc.] Or, “will honour”, or “should honour”; it is their duty to do so, both according to the laws of God and man; and so the Targum, “lo concerning a son it is said (or commanded) that be should honour his father; and of a servant, that he should fear (or show reverence) before his master;” (see <022012>Exodus 20:12 <490605>Ephesians 6:5): if then I [be] a Father; as he was the Father of his divine and eternal Son; the Father of spirits, angels, and the souls of men; the Father of all men by creation; and the Father of all mercies to them in providence, as he was to Israel; and, besides, was their Father by national adoption, as he was…”

“Turning from the people to the priests, Jehovah asks, whereas His love to the people was so great, where was their love towards Him? If the priests, as they profess, regard Him as their Father (Isa 63:16) and Master, let them show the reality of their profession by love and reverential fear (Exo 20:12; Luk 6:46). He addresses the priests because they ought to be leaders in piety to the rest of the people, whereas they are foremost in "despising His name." Wherein have we despised, &c.--The same captious spirit of self-satisfied insensibility as prompted their question (Mal 1:2), "Wherein hast Thou loved us?" They are blind alike to God's love and their own guilt.”

“A son honoreth his father, and a slave his lord - Having spoken of the love of God, he turns to the thanklessness of man. God appeals to the first feelings of the human heart, the relation of parent and child, or, failing this, to the natural self-interest of those dependent on their fellow-men. A “son” by the instinct of nature, by the unwritten law written in the heart, “honoreth his father.” If he fails to do so, he is counted to have broken the law of nature, to be an unnatural son. If he is, what by nature he ought to be, he does really honor him. He does not even speak of love, as to which they might deceive themselves. He speaks of “honor,” outward reverence only; which whoso showeth…”

“O priests - Had undutifulness been found among the ignorant people, it might have been a little excusable. But you, O priests, whose business is to know me, have like Eli's sons despised me yourselves, and made others do so too. Malachi 1:7”

“1:6–2:9 Malachi’s second message affirms the Lord’s role as God and Father of Israel; he alone deserves true worship. The first part (1:6-14) shows how the Israelites had dishonored God in spite of his fatherly care and masterly power. The second part (2:1-9) warns the priests of Judah against sacrificing sick and defective animals and faults them for not teaching God’s instructions (2:6-8). 1:6 shown contempt for my name: God’s name is his reputation or character (cp. Ezek 36:19-24). The Judeans were showing how little they thought of God by giving him worthless offerings.”

“son: Exo 20:12; Lev 19:3; Deu 5:16; Pro 30:11, Pro 30:17; Mat 15:4, Mat 15:6, Mat 19:19; Mar 7:10; Mar 10:19; Luk 18:20; Eph 6:2 a servant: Ti1 6:1, Ti1 6:2; Tit 2:9, Tit 2:10; Pe1 2:17-19 if then: From this verse to Mal 2:9, the prophet reproves the priests and people for sacrificing the refuse of beasts; and denounces punishment against the former for not teaching the people their duty in this respect. Exo 4:22, Exo 4:23; Isa 1:2, Isa 64:8; Jer 31:9; Mat 6:9, Mat 6:14, Mat 6:15; Luk 6:36, Luk 6:46; Pe1 1:17 and if: Mat 7:21; Luk 6:46; Joh 13:13-17 O priests: Mal 2:8; Sa1 2:28-30; Jer 5:30, Jer 5:31, Jer 23:11; Eze 22:26; Hos 4:6, Hos 5:1 And ye: Mal 2:14-17, Mal 3:7, Mal 3:8, Mal 3:13, Mal…”

“The condemnation of that contempt of the Lord which the priests displayed by offering bad or blemished animals in sacrifices, commences with the following verse. Mal 1:6. "A son honoureth the father, and a servant his master. And if I am a father, where is my honour? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts to you, ye priests who despise my name, and yet say, Wherein have we despised Thy name? Mal 1:7. Ye who offer polluted bread upon my altar, and yet say, Wherewith have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of Jehovah, it is despised. V.8. And if ye offer what is blind for sacrifice, it is no wickedness; and if ye offer what is lame and diseased, it is no…”