Ezekiel 18:19-32

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 18:10-20

God, by the prophet, having laid down the general rule of judgment, that he will render eternal life to those that patiently continue in well-doing, but indignation and wrath to those that do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness (Rom. 2:7, 8), comes, in these verses, to show that men's parentage and relation shall not alter the case either one way or other. I. He applied it largely and particularly both ways. As it was in the royal line of the kings of Judah, so it often happens in... read more

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 18:30-32

We have here the conclusion and application of this whole matter. After a fair trial at the bar of right reason the verdict is brought in on God's side; it appears that his ways are equal. Judgment therefore is next to be given; and one would think it should be a judgment of condemnation, nothing short of Go, you cursed, into everlasting fire. But, behold, a miracle of mercy; the day of grace and divine patience is yet lengthened out; and therefore, though God will at last judge every one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:19

Yet say ye, why ?.... Why do you say so? why do you go on to assert that which is not fact, or which is contrary to fact, contrary to what we feel and experience every day, to say that children are not punished for their parents' sins? these are the words of the murmuring, complaining, and blaspheming Jews, quarrelling with the prophet, and with the Lord himself: doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father ? have not we proof of it every day we live? are not our present case and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:20

The soul that sinneth, it shall die ,.... This is repeated from Ezekiel 18:4 , for the further confirmation of it: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son ; that is, as the Targum paraphrases it, "the son shall not be punished for the sins of the father, nor shall the father be punished for the sins of the son.' This is to be understood of adult persons, and of actual sins; for of such only the prophet speaks... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:21

But if the wicked ,.... So far is the Lord from punishing the sins of one man upon another, that he will not punish a man for his own sins: if he will turn from all his sins that he hath committed : if he truly repents of them, and thoroughly forsakes them; for it must not be one sin only, but all; every sin is to be loathed and mourned over, and sorrow expressed for it, and to be forsaken; not one sin is to cherished and retained, but all to be relinquished: or the repentance and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:22

All his transgressions that he hath committed ,.... Before his repentance, conversion, and obedience: they shall not be mentioned unto him ; they shall not be charged upon his conscience, or brought against him in providence; he shall not be upbraided with them, or punished for them; but they shall be forgiven him, at least in such sense as to prevent temporal calamity and ruin: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live ; he shall live "in" it, though not "for" it; this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:23

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God ,.... Perish by sword, famine, or pestilence, or go into captivity; this, though the Lord's will and work, yet is his strange work; mercy is his delight. This is to be understood not absolutely; for the Lord does take pleasure in these things, as they fulfil his word, secure the honour of his truth and holiness, and glorify his justice, and especially when they are the means of reclaiming men from the evil of their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:24

But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness ,.... This is to be understood, not of a truly righteous man; for no man can be so denominated from his own righteousness; but from the righteousness and obedience of Christ; and such a man cannot turn from his righteousness; for that is the righteousness of God, and can never be lost; and is an everlasting one, and will always endure; and with which eternal life is inseparably connected: but this is to be interpreted of one that is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:25

Yet ye say ,.... Notwithstanding these plain instances, which show the equity of God in his proceedings, and vindicate his justice in the dispensations of his providence; yet such was the blindness and stupidity of these people, or rather their stubbornness, obstinacy, and impudence, that they still insisted upon it that the way of the Lord is not equal ; just and right; is not even, according to the rules of justice and equity; or is not ordered aright, is not steady, and firm, and... read more

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