Charles Ellicott Commentary Malachi 1:6

"A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?" — Malachi 1:6 (ASV)

A father. — God is distinctly called the Father of Israel in Deuteronomy 32:6; Deuteronomy 32:18. (Compare to Exodus 4:22: My son, my firstborn, is Israel.)

A master. — Compare to Isaiah 1:3.

My honour — i.e., the respect due to me.

My fear — i.e., your dread of me. Fear is twofold: servile, by which punishment, not fault, is dreaded; filial, by which fault is feared. The fear and love required by God of his children are that reverence which loves to serve Him, and that love which dreads to offend Him.