Zechariah 8:16

“These [are] the things that ye shall do, etc.] Which were duties incumbent on them, and which it became them to perform, under a sense of the favours bestowed on them, to show their gratitude to God, and that they might glorify him: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; not using deceit, prevarication, and lying, (<490425>Ephesians 4:25) and it becomes every man under the Gospel dispensation, according to the gift he has received, to speak, publish, and declare the truth of the Gospel, to the edification of others: execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates; that is, execute true judgment, as in (<380709>Zechariah 7:9) do justice between man and man, without respect of…”

“The promised blessings are connected with obedience. God's covenanted grace will lead those truly blessed by it to holiness, not licentiousness. truth to . . . neighbour--not that the truth should not be spoken to foreigners too; but He makes it an aggravation of their sin, that they spared not even their brethren. Besides, and above all outward ordinances (Zac 7:3), God requires truth and justice. judgment of . . . peace--Equitable decisions tend to allay feuds and produce peace. gates--the place where courts of judicature in the East were held.”

“These are the things that ye shall do - He exhorts them to the same duties, to which the former prophets had exhorted their fathers, Zechariah 7:9-10, and, as before, first positively to truth and peace; then to avoid everything contrary to it. “Judgment of peace” must be judgment which issues in peace, as all righteous judgment righteously received, in which case each party acquiesces, must. Kimchi: “If ye judge righteousness, there will be peace between the litigants, according to that proverb, Sanhedr. f. 7. a. quoted by Me. Caul, p. 78), ‘He that hath his coat taken from him by the tribunal, let him sing and go his way’ (“because,” says a gloss (Rashi, quoted Ibid.), “they have judged…”

“Judgment of truth - True judgment. Peace - That may restore, and settle peace among you. Gates - The places of judicature, where the judges sat. Zechariah 8:19”

“8:16 God expects his people to act with integrity and justice (see Eph 4:25). • The courts (literally the gates): Legal proceedings were conducted at the gates of the city or Temple (see Deut 21:19; 25:7).”

“are: Deu 10:12, Deu 10:13, Deu 11:7, Deu 11:8; Mic 6:8; Luk 3:8-14; Eph 4:17; Pe1 1:13-16 Speak: Zac 8:19, Zac 7:9; Lev 19:11; Psa 15:2; Pro 12:17, Pro 12:19; Jer 9:3-5; Hos 4:1, Hos 4:2; Mic 6:12; Eph 4:25; Th1 4:6; Rev 21:8 execute the judgment of truth and peace: Heb. judge truth and the judgment of peace, Zac 7:9; Isa 9:7, Isa 11:3-9; Amo 5:15, Amo 5:24; Mat 5:9 Zechariah 8:17”