Ezekiel 18:27

27 "Again, when a wicked man turns away ¹from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life.

Ezekiel 18:27 Meaning and 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; 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, pestilence, the sword, or captivity; he shall be preserved, and not be involved in calamities and distress: or, "shall quicken his own soul" ^F15; which, in a spiritual sense, is only done by the Spirit and grace of God, and not by man himself; nor is the enjoyment of eternal life by the works of men, but through the grace of God, and righteousness of Christ.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 (hqduw jpvm) "judicium et justitiam", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Calvin, Cocceius.
F15 (hyxy wvpn ta awh) "animam suam vivificabit", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Calvin; "vivificat", Cocceius.

Ezekiel 18:27 In-Context

25 "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not right.' Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right?

26 "When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die.

27 "Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life.

28 "Because he considered and turned away from all his transgressions which he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

29 "But the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not right.' Are My ways not right, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are not right?

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 55:7