20 The soul H5315 that sinneth, H2398 it shall die. H4191 The son H1121 shall not bear H5375 the iniquity H5771 of the father, H1 neither shall the father H1 bear H5375 the iniquity H5771 of the son: H1121 the righteousness H6666 of the righteous H6662 shall be upon him, and the wickedness H7564 of the wicked H7563 shall be upon him.
21 But if the wicked H7563 will turn H7725 from all his sins H2403 that he hath committed, H6213 and keep H8104 all my statutes, H2708 and do H6213 that which is lawful H4941 and right, H6666 he shall surely H2421 live, H2421 he shall not die. H4191
22 All his transgressions H6588 that he hath committed, H6213 they shall not be mentioned H2142 unto him: in his righteousness H6666 that he hath done H6213 he shall live. H2421
23 Have I any pleasure H2654 at all H2654 that the wicked H7563 should die? H4194 saith H5002 the Lord H136 GOD: H3069 and not that he should return H7725 from his ways, H1870 and live? H2421
24 But when the righteous H6662 turneth away H7725 from his righteousness, H6666 and committeth H6213 iniquity, H5766 and doeth H6213 according to all the abominations H8441 that the wicked H7563 man doeth, H6213 shall he live? H2425 All his righteousness H6666 that he hath done H6213 shall not be mentioned: H2142 in his trespass H4603 that he hath trespassed, H4604 and in his sin H2403 that he hath sinned, H2398 in them shall he die. H4191
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ezekiel 18
Commentary on Ezekiel 18 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 18
Perhaps, in reading some of the foregoing chapters, we may have been tempted to think ourselves not much concerned in them (though they also were written for our learning); but this chapter, at first view, appears highly and nearly to concern us all, very highly, very nearly; for, without particular reference to Judah and Jerusalem, it lays down the rule of judgment according to which God will deal with the children of men in determining them to their everlasting state, and it agrees with that very ancient rule laid down, Gen. 4:7, "If though doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?' But, "if not, sin,' the punishment of sin,"lies at the door.' Here is,
And these are things which belong to our everlasting peace. O that we may understand and regard them before they be hidden from our eyes!
Eze 18:1-9
Evil manners, we say, beget good laws; and in like manner sometimes unjust reflections occasion just vindications; evil proverbs beget good prophecies. Here is,
Eze 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.
Eze 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 as long as the time of life, and according as we are found at last it will be with us to eternity. Now see here,
Eze 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 according to his ways, yet he waits to be gracious, and closes all with a call to repentance and a promise of pardon upon repentance.