Ezekiel 18 24

Ezekiel 18:24 kjv

But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

Ezekiel 18:24 nkjv

"But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.

Ezekiel 18:24 niv

"But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.

Ezekiel 18:24 esv

But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die.

Ezekiel 18:24 nlt

However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.

Ezekiel 18 verses

Ezekiel 18 24 Meaning

Ezekiel 18:24 declares that if a person who previously lived righteously turns away from their righteousness, commits iniquity, and actively engages in the same detestable practices as the wicked, they will not spiritually live. This verse emphasizes God's principle of individual accountability and that salvation is contingent upon one's ongoing fidelity to God's commands, not merely past good deeds. It poses a rhetorical question, indicating a definite negative answer regarding the spiritual life and well-being of such an apostate.

Ezekiel 18 24 Context

Ezekiel chapter 18 directly addresses the prevalent proverb among the Israelite exiles: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" (Eze 18:2). This proverb suggested that the current generation was suffering due to their ancestors' sins, implying God's injustice in collective punishment. In response, God, through Ezekiel, vehemently rejects this idea, asserting the principle of individual responsibility: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Eze 18:4). The chapter illustrates this by outlining the paths of a righteous man, a wicked man, and the son of each, emphasizing that each individual is judged based on their own actions and current spiritual state. Verse 24, along with the subsequent verses, demonstrates the fluidity of spiritual standing – one can turn from righteousness to wickedness, or from wickedness to righteousness – and God's just judgment responds accordingly to the individual's present spiritual trajectory. It underlines God's impartiality and active assessment of each person's walk with Him in the context of His covenant.

Ezekiel 18 24 Word Analysis

• But when: Marks a sharp contrast and a critical shift in condition or action, transitioning from discussions of enduring righteousness to a departure from it.
• the righteous (Hebrew: צַדִּיק, tsaddiq): Refers to someone who has been living in accordance with God's law, upright in their conduct and devoted to the covenant. This is not presented as an immutable status but a current state of being and action.
• turneth away (Hebrew: בְּשׁוּבוֹ, beshubo, from the root שׁוּב, shuv): Signifies a deliberate and decisive act of turning back or departing from a previously chosen path. Here, it implies an apostasy, a fundamental and willful change in allegiance and lifestyle, not a momentary stumble or unintentional sin.
• from his righteousness (Hebrew: מִצִּדְקָתוֹ, mitsidqato): This phrase specifies the direction of the turning—away from their established upright conduct and adherence to God's standards. It means abandoning the very qualities that once characterized them as tsaddiq.
• and committeth iniquity (Hebrew: וְעָשָׂה עָוֶל, ve'asah awel): Indicates active participation in unrighteous acts, perversity, or injustice. It signifies a shift from mere departure to active transgression.
• and doeth according to all the abominations (Hebrew: וּלְכֹל הַתּוֹעֲבוֹת, ulekol hat-to'evot): This is a strong and severe description. "Abominations" (plural, definite) refers to detestable practices in God's eyes, often associated with idolatry, severe moral offenses, and sins that are an affront to God's holy nature. "All" emphasizes a full and unreserved embrace of such wickedness, indicating a complete spiritual reversal.
• that the wicked man doeth (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה הָרָשָׁע, asher asah harasha): This highlights the former righteous individual's complete assimilation to the ways of the ungodly (Hebrew: רָשָׁע, rasha). There is no longer any distinguishing moral or spiritual characteristic between them; their conduct becomes identical to those who have always rejected God.
• shall he live? (Hebrew: הֲיִחְיֶה, hayiḥyeh): This is a powerful rhetorical question expecting a definitive "No" answer. "Live" here refers to spiritual life, a state of favor and communion with God, and ultimately, eternal life. The question asserts that such an apostate will experience spiritual death and God's judgment, forfeiting all previous claims to life.

Ezekiel 18 24 Bonus Section

• The concept of "righteousness" in Ezekiel's context is not just an imputed status but an active state of living in obedience to the covenant laws. When this active obedience ceases, and is replaced by its opposite, the spiritual identification changes.
• This verse provides a crucial Old Testament foundation for understanding the New Testament warnings against falling away from faith, illustrating that genuine faith is a persevering faith. It suggests that while God's mercy is great, there are serious, even terminal, spiritual consequences for deliberate and complete spiritual reversion.
• The phrase "all the abominations" suggests a total rejection of God's ethical and cultic standards, leaving no doubt as to the severity of the turning away. It implies a thorough embrace of sinful practices characteristic of idolaters and those estranged from God.
• The impartiality of God's justice is key: the once-righteous person receives the same judgment as the habitually wicked if they choose the same path. God does not grant preferential treatment based on past history if present conduct completely contradicts it.

Ezekiel 18 24 Commentary

Ezekiel 18:24 serves as a stern warning against spiritual complacency and apostasy. It dismantles any notion that past righteousness automatically secures one's future spiritual standing. The prophet clearly states that an individual's spiritual status is determined by their present obedience and commitment to God. A person, regardless of their past good deeds, who willfully and comprehensively turns from God's ways to embrace sinful practices becomes subject to God's righteous judgment, the same as those who have always lived wickedly. This verse underscores that spiritual life is not static but requires persistent faithfulness. God's judgment is based on what a person is doing, not merely what they did. It powerfully reinforces the doctrine of individual accountability and the ever-present necessity of remaining in an obedient relationship with God to "live." It challenges any sense of false security based on initial profession rather than ongoing practice.