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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 18:21-29

We have here another rule of judgment which God will go by in dealing with us, by which is further demonstrated the equity of his government. The former showed that God will reward or punish according to the change made in the family or succession, for the better or for the worse; here he shows that he will reward or punish according to the change made in the person himself, whether for the better or the worse. While we are in this world we are in a state of probation; the time of trial lasts... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:26

When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness ,.... This is repeated for the further confirmation of it, and to raise their attention to it; to make it more plain and manifest to them, and to fix it upon their minds: and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them : or, "he shall die for them" F13 עליהם "propter illa", Pagninus, Piscator, Grotius, Cocceius; so some in Vatsbins. ; both for his turning away from his righteousness, and for his committing iniquity: for his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:27

Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed ,.... Repents of his sins, and forsakes the vicious course of life he has lived: and doeth that which is lawful and right ; or "judgment" and "righteousness" F14 משפט וצדקה "judicium et justitiam", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Calvin, Cocceius. ; that which is agreeable to the law and will of God, and is just and right between man and man: he shall save his soul alive ; from famine,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:28

Because he considereth ,.... Being come to himself, and in his right mind, he considers the evil of his ways; what they lead to; what they deserve at the hand of God; and what he may expect, should he continue in them; see Ezekiel 18:14 ; and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed ; not only repents of them, but reforms from them; and that not from one, or a few of them, but from them "all"; which shows the truth, reality, and sincerity of his repentance; there... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:29

Yet saith the house of Israel, the way of the Lord is not equal ,.... Though the case was put so many ways, and the thing was made so clear and plain, by the instances given; as, if a man was a just man, let his father be what he would, he should live; but, if his son was a wicked man, he should die; yet, if his son should do well, he should not die for his father's sins, his father only should suffer for his iniquity; and then again, on the one hand, if a seemingly righteous man become an... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 18:26

Verse 26 The Prophet repeats what we formerly saw, namely, that the state of the case turned upon this, Whether the people had any cause of complaint when God absolves those who repent, and condemns the just who desert the course of a pious and holy life? Now, we must always return to this cardinal point, that God rewards every one according to his works, since he offers mercy to all the lost, and demands nothing else but a sincere and hearty return to him. Since, then, God treats the impious... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 18:29

Verse 29 Here God briefly shows how furious those are who dare to rebel against him even when his justice is manifest: for what can be desired more justly than that God should punish all the transgressors of his law? and also, if sinners repent, that he should be prepared to pardon them? But if it seems hard that punishment should overtake the just if they fall away, common sense dictates that no virtue can be approved without perseverance. Since, therefore, it is very clear throughout this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 18:21-29

Moral transformations and their consequences. "But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes," etc. In this paragraph the vindication of the moral government of God is advanced another stage. Already it has been shown that the son does not die for his father's sins, or live for his father's righteousness. Only the soul that sinneth shall die; only the soul that is righteous shall live. Now the prophet proceeds to show that "so far from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 18:25-32

The path to life. Sin has a blinding effect upon man's intellect and reason. It leads to most erroneous conclusions. It produces deep-seated and suicidal prejudice. It puts "darkness for light, and light for darkness." The most perfect equality it brands "inequality." It would make heaven into hell. I. THE FIRST STEP HEAVENWARD IS THOUGHTFUL CHOICE . The chief folly of men is their thoughtlessness. They sink into mental and moral indolence. They will not investigate... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 18:26-28

Reversals of character. We have here an instance of man's misjudgment of God, and wrongful accusation of injustice against him. People who have borne good characters are punished by God, and others who have earned themselves odious reputations are spared. This is the stumbling block. But our text supplies the explanation of the apparent inconsistency. The good men have fallen into sin, and the bad men have repented and mended their lives. Therefore it is not unjust in God to treat them no... read more

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