Ezekiel 18:4 - Exposition

Behold, all souls are mine , etc. The words imply, not only creation, ownership, absolute authority, on the part of God, but, as even Calvin could recognize ( in loc. ) , "a paternal affection towards the whole human race which he created and formed." Ezekiel anticipates here, and yet more fully in verse 32. the teaching of St. Paul, that "God willeth that all men should be saved" ( 1 Timothy 2:4 ). The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The sentence, though taken from the Law, which ordered capital punishment for the offences named, cannot be limited to that punishment. "Death" and "life" are both used in their highest and widest meaning—"life" as including all that makes it worth living, "death" for the loss of that only true life which is found in knowing God ( John 17:3 ).