Malachi 1:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He also spoke through Isaiah regarding certain wrongdoers: 'When you stretch out your hands to Me, I will hide My eyes from you; and though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood' (Isaiah 1:15). Thus, those who have sinned must seek to appease God, so that He may direct His gaze toward them, and the consequences of His withdrawal may be alleviated. He delineates the faults of the ministers, dispels objections, and does not bear false witness, asserting, 'the responsibility lies with you.' He indicates that when others sinned, you not only remained silent but were complicit in the wrongdoing against Me, and without intervening, acted negligently towards Me. Should anyone feel hesitant to bring accusations against you, I will not be like one of you, nor will I show favor to the unrighteous. A similar sentiment is echoed by David, who says, 'You have condemned yourself, for I will be your counterpart: I will reprove you and set your sins before you' (Ps. 49:21); for the Judge is not biased, but as God, He is just and untainted.

Among you, apart from the high priest, the priest, the Levite, and the singer, not even the usher nor the one who ignites the fire on the altar for the burnt offerings toils in vain; every servant, even the least among them, will receive a reward from Me for their work. The Lord indicates that the offerings of first fruits presented by the people are meant here. It is evident that service that expects no immediate reward is more favored in the eyes of the Lord. Thus, the Apostle conveys the gospel without seeking payment (1 Thess. 2:9); tirelessly working day and night, he ensures he is no burden to anyone and affirms that his honor of free preaching among the Gentiles must not be taken from him (2 Thess. 3:7-9). However, the LXX interpreters present a rather different interpretation. O priests, who present inadequate sacrifices, turn to repentance and seek the Lord, asking for the work of your hands. Concerning the phrase: Shall I accept your offerings, it is uncertain if it aligns with the call to repentance. Indeed, can anyone say, 'Ask of Me, and I will withhold my mercy'? The next statement reveals: It is the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who close the gates against you. Thus, the Savior states, I am the door (John 10:9). This may be understood in another way; the gates of Scripture shall remain shut to you, and you will be unable to enter the Holy of Holies or discern the Lord's commandments or offer incense on His altar because your prayers will not reach Him. Here, the word δωρεὰν, which we have interpreted as gratuitous, is translated by those who understand it as gratiam, suggesting that such ministers lack the grace to serve before the Lord’s altar.