4 Behold, all souls H5315 are mine; as the soul H5315 of the father, H1 so also the soul H5315 of the son H1121 is mine: the soul H5315 that sinneth, H2398 it shall die. H4191
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.
Furthermore G1534 G3303 we have had G2192 fathers G3962 of our G2257 flesh G4561 which corrected G3810 us, and G2532 we gave them reverence: G1788 shall we G5293 not G3756 much G4183 rather G3123 be in subjection G5293 unto the Father G3962 of spirits, G4151 and G2532 live? G2198
Let the LORD, H3068 the God H430 of the spirits H7307 of all flesh, H1320 set H6485 a man H376 over the congregation, H5712
Thus saith H559 God H410 the LORD, H3068 he that created H1254 the heavens, H8064 and stretched them out; H5186 he that spread forth H7554 the earth, H776 and that which cometh out H6631 of it; he that giveth H5414 breath H5397 unto the people H5971 upon it, and spirit H7307 to them that walk H1980 therein:
The burden H4853 of the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 for Israel, H3478 saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 which stretcheth H5186 forth the heavens, H8064 and layeth the foundation H3245 of the earth, H776 and formeth H3335 the spirit H7307 of man H120 within H7130 him.
For G1063 as many as G3745 are G1526 of G1537 the works G2041 of the law G3551 are G1526 under G5259 the curse: G2671 for G1063 it is written, G1125 Cursed G1944 is every one G3956 that G3739 continueth G1696 not G3756 in G1722 all things G3956 which G3588 are written G1125 in G1722 the book G975 of the law G3551 to do G4160 them. G846 But G1161 that G3754 no man G3762 is justified G1344 by G1722 the law G3551 in the sight G3844 of God, G2316 it is evident: G1212 for, G3754 The just G1342 shall live G2198 by G1537 faith. G4102 And G1161 the law G3551 is G2076 not G3756 of G1537 faith: G4102 but, G235 The man G444 that doeth G4160 them G846 shall live G2198 in G1722 them. G846 Christ G5547 hath redeemed G1805 us G2248 from G1537 the curse G2671 of the law, G3551 being made G1096 a curse G2671 for G5228 us: G2257 for G1063 it is written, G1125 Cursed G1944 is every one G3956 that hangeth G2910 on G1909 a tree: G3586
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.