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 ?
30 "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel , each according to his conduct ," declares the Lord GOD . " Repent and turn away from all your transgressions , so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you. 31 " Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit ! For why will you die , O house of Israel ? 32 "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies ," declares the Lord GOD . "Therefore, repent and live ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 18:25-32
Commentary on Ezekiel 18:21-29
(Read Ezekiel 18:21-29)
The wicked man would be saved, if he turned from his evil ways. The true penitent is a true believer. None of his former transgressions shall be mentioned unto him, but in the righteousness which he has done, as the fruit of faith and the effect of conversion, he shall surely live. The question is not whether the truly righteous ever become apostates. It is certain that many who for a time were thought to be righteous, do so, while 28 is the beginning and progress of repentance. True believers watch and pray, and continue to the end, and they are saved. In all our disputes with God, he is in the right, and we are in the wrong.
Commentary on Ezekiel 18:30-32
(Read Ezekiel 18:30-32)
The Lord will judge each of the Israelites according to his ways. On this is grounded an exhortation to repent, and to make them a new heart and a new spirit. God does not command what cannot be done, but admonishes us to do what is in our power, and to pray for what is not. Ordinances and means are appointed, directions and promises are given, that those who desire this change may seek it from God.