Malachi 2:6

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Malachi 2:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity.
Malachi 2:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Malachi 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The law of truth was in his mouth, etc.] The Gospel, the word and doctrine of truth; which comes from the God of truth; is concerning Christ the truth and men are guided into it by the Spirit of truth; it contains most glorious truths, and nothing but truth: and this was in the mouth of Christ, being put there by his Father, who gave him what he should say, and what he should speak; and which was preached by him in the most faithful manner, and so as it never was by any other, for which he was abundantly qualified: and iniquity was not found in his lips; there was none in his nature; nor in his heart; nor in his life; nor in his lips; none could be found there by men nor devils: there was no…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“law of truth was in his mouth--He taught the people the truths of the law in all its fulness (Deu 33:10). The priest was the ordinary expounder of the law; the prophets were so only on special occasions. iniquity . . . not found--no injustice in his judicial functions (Deu 17:8-9; Deu 19:17). walked with me--by faith and obedience (Gen 5:22). in peace--namely, the "peace" which was the fruit of obeying the covenant (Mal 2:5). Peace with God, man, and one's own conscience, is the result of "walking with God" (compare Job 22:21; Isa 27:5; Jam 3:18). turn may . . . from iniquity--both by positive precept and by tacit example "walking with God" (Jer 23:22; Dan 12:3; Jam 5:20).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The law of truth was in his mouth - Apart from those cases, which were brought to the priests at the tabernacle (Deuteronomy 17:9-11; Deuteronomy 19:17 (add Deuteronomy 21:5; Ezekiel 44:23-24), hence, the use of אלהים Exodus 21:6; Exodus 22:7-8.), in which their voice was the voice of God through them, to teach the law was part of the office both of the priest and Levite. Of the priest God says; Leviticus 10:11, “that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes, which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses:” of the tribe of Levi generally Moses says Deuteronomy 33:10, “They shall teach Jacob Thy judgments and Israel Thy law.” After the schism of the ten tribes, a…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Was in his mouth - He taught to the people. Aaron, Eleazar, Phineas, every one of those priests or Levites, in what age soever they lived; who feared God, and were humble. Iniquity is not found - He judged not with respect of persons, or for bribes. He walked - His whole life was a continual walking with God; he lived with God, and to him. In peace - With God, and it was his aim to live peaceably with others. Malachi 2:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“law: Psa 37:30; Eze 44:23, Eze 44:24; Hos 4:6; Mat 22:16; Mar 12:14; Luk 20:21; Ti2 2:15, Ti2 2:16; Tit 1:7-9; Rev 14:5 he walked: Gen 5:21-24, Gen 6:9, Gen 17:1; Luk 1:6 and did: Jer 23:22; Dan 12:3; Luk 1:16, Luk 1:17; Act 26:18; Th1 1:9, Th1 1:10; Jam 5:19, Jam 5:20 Malachi 2:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification