Ezekiel 18:27

27 And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives.

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 Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you?

26 When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds.

27 And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives.

28 They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die.

29 And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I.