Ezekiel 18:21-28

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 18:21

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 18:21

But if the wicked will turn from all his sins - And afterwards walk according to the character of the righteous already specified shall he find mercy, and be for ever saved? Yes. read more

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