Malachias 2:8

8 But ye have turned aside from the way, and caused many to fail in the law: ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord Almighty.

Malachias 2:8 Meaning and Commentary

Malachi 2:8

But ye are departed out of the way
Of truth and righteousness, of life and peace, of eternal salvation and happiness, pointed to by Christ and his forerunner, and by his apostles and ministers that followed him, and which was clearly showed in the preaching of the Gospel: this was the character of the chief priests, Scribes, and Pharisees, in Christ's time, to which the prophet seems to have respect; who not only failed in their observance of legal sacrifices, complained of in the former chapter ( Malachi 1:1-14 ) , but left that way of atonement and salvation they directed to, and led others out of the way with them: ye have caused many to stumble at the law;
at the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ; which was the stumbling stone they fell at, seeking for righteousness, and directing others to seek for it, not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law, ( Romans 9:32 Romans 9:33 ) : ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts:
that which was foreshadowed by the Levitical priesthood and covenant, namely, the covenant of grace, dispensed under the Gospel dispensation by the ministry of the word and ordinances; which they rejected, despised, and set at nought, and as much as in them lay endeavoured to make void, by not attending to these things, nor suffering others, but doing all they could to bring them into disuse, contempt, and disgrace.

Malachias 2:8 In-Context

6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked before me directing in peace, and he turned many from unrighteousness.

7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty.

8 But ye have turned aside from the way, and caused many to fail in the law: ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord Almighty.

9 And I have made you despised and cast out among all the people, because ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.

10 Have ye not all one father? Did not one God create you? why have ye forsaken every man his brother, to profane the covenant of your fathers?