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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 18:27

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 18:26-29

The equity of the Divine judgments is asserted, as before, by fresh iteration rather than by new arguments. In a discourse delivered, as this probably was, orally, it was necessary, so to speak, to hammer in the truth upon men's minds so that it might be driven home and do its work. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 18:25-29

Ezekiel 18:25-29. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal, &c. Yet ye allege that I do not act according to the strict rules of justice and equity: but “the declarations I have so often repeated concerning the eternal rewards and punishments allotted to the righteous and the wicked, are sufficient to vindicate the justice of my proceedings against all your objections.” When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, &c. “It is an opinion that prevails among the Jews,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 18:1-32

Each person is responsible (18:1-32)Many of the exiles complained that it was unjust that they should suffer because of the sins of the previous generation. True, the present captivity had resulted from the continuing decay of the nation over several generations, but the exiles could not deny that they too had sinned. There could be no excuses. They are individually responsible for their wrongdoings and they are punished accordingly (18:1-4).Examples of sins are then given. These include... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ezekiel 18:26-27

Ezekiel 18:26-27. When a righteous man— A very false and very dangerous opinion prevailed among the Jews, that at the day of judgment a considerable number of good actions would overbalance men's evil ones. In opposition to this doctrine, God here declares, that a righteous man, sinning and not repenting, should die in his sins; and that the wicked man repenting should certainly save his soul alive. See Lowth. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 18:27

27. he shall save his soul—that is, he shall have it saved upon his repentance. read more

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