Ezekiel 33:19 kjv
But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.
Ezekiel 33:19 nkjv
But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it.
Ezekiel 33:19 niv
And if a wicked person turns away from their wickedness and does what is just and right, they will live by doing so.
Ezekiel 33:19 esv
And when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he shall live by this.
Ezekiel 33:19 nlt
But if wicked people turn from their wickedness and do what is just and right, they will live.
Ezekiel 33 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 33:19 | when the righteous turns from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, he shall even die therein. | Ezekiel 33:18 |
| Ezek 18:24 | 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 remembered: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. | Ezekiel 18:26 |
| Ezek 18:27 | Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. | Ezekiel 18:27 |
| Gal 5:4 | Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. | Galatians 5:4 |
| Heb 6:4 | For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, | Hebrews 6:5 |
| Heb 6:5 | And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, | Hebrews 6:6 |
| Heb 6:6 | If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. | Hebrews 6:6 |
| 2 Pet 2:20 | For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. | 2 Peter 2:21 |
| 2 Pet 2:21 | For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. | 2 Peter 2:21 |
| Rev 3:5 | He that overcometh shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. | Revelation 3:5 |
| Rev 3:16 | So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. | Revelation 3:16 |
| Matt 24:13 | But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. | Matthew 24:13 |
| Rom 11:20 | Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high minded, but fear: | Romans 11:21 |
| Rom 11:21 | For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. | Romans 11:22 |
| Jer 18:7,8 | At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against which I have pronounced, turn from their wickedness, I will repent of the evil that I have purposed to do unto them. | Jeremiah 18:7, 8 |
| Acts 8:22 | Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. | Acts 8:22 |
| Prov 10:2 | Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. | Proverbs 10:2 |
| Prov 11:4 | Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. | Proverbs 11:4 |
| 1 Cor 15:2 | By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. | 1 Corinthians 15:2 |
Ezekiel 33 verses
Ezekiel 33 19 Meaning
When the righteous turn from their righteousness and do injustice, committing sins like those the wicked practice, they will die. Their former righteous deeds will not be remembered, and they will die for the injustice they have committed. This verse emphasizes the conditional nature of God's favor, stating that persistent unrighteousness leads to condemnation, regardless of past good actions. It highlights the absolute necessity of continued faithfulness and obedience.
Ezekiel 33 19 Context
Ezekiel 33 is part of Ezekiel's ministry to the exiles in Babylon, conveying God's message of both judgment and hope. This chapter follows passages detailing God's justice and the responsibility of prophets. In chapter 33, God reiterates the principle of individual accountability for sin, building upon the foundational teachings in chapter 18. Ezekiel is called to be a watchman, responsible for warning the people. The specific verse spoken about here is a direct consequence of the watchman's duty and the people's response. If the righteous turns from their path, their past righteousness is voided by present iniquity, and they face divine judgment. This was relevant to the exiles, who needed to understand that their identity as God's people was contingent on their faithfulness.
Ezekiel 33 19 Word Analysis
"When": Introduces a conditional clause, setting up a hypothetical scenario.
"the righteous": Refers to one who has been declared righteous, or one who habitually practices righteousness and lives in obedience to God's law.
"turn": A decisive change in direction. In Hebrew, the root sub (שׁוּב) often implies repentance, turning back to God. Here it signifies a reversal from a righteous path to unrighteousness.
"from his righteousness": From the state of being declared righteous or the practice of righteous acts. It's a forsaking of the life aligned with God's will.
"and commits iniquity": Introduces the new behavior that is contrary to righteousness. "Iniquity" (Hebrew: 'avon, עָוֹן) implies guilt, a perversion of what is right.
"he shall even die": This is a statement of inevitable consequence. The Hebrew conveys certainty. Death here refers to both spiritual and potentially physical consequences stemming from separation from God.
"therein": In that sin and iniquity; because of it. The consequence is directly linked to the action.
Group analysis of "turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity": This phrase highlights a relapse or apostasy. It's not a single lapse, but a significant departure marked by a pattern of wrongdoing. This signifies a chosen rebellion against God's ways.
Ezekiel 33 19 Bonus Section
The concept presented here in Ezekiel is often understood in theological discussions about perseverance and the possibility of apostasy. While Old Testament passages like this and Ezekiel 18 highlight the conditionality of blessing and judgment based on actions, the New Testament speaks similarly about the necessity of remaining in Christ and the danger of falling away. The Lord Jesus Himself taught in Matthew 24:13 that "he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." The Apostle Paul also warns in Romans 11:20-22 against arrogance, stating that Gentile believers stand by faith and should "take heed lest he also spare not thee," implying that rejection is possible. The starkness of Ezekiel's statement about the past righteousness not being remembered highlights God's holiness and His unwavering standard for His people, demanding continuous adherence to His commands. This also reflects a deep personal responsibility for one's soul before God, as echoed in Proverbs 24:12.
Ezekiel 33 19 Commentary
Ezekiel 33:19 serves as a stern warning regarding the peril of spiritual backsliding. It asserts that a pattern of sin, even after a life of righteousness, can nullify previous faithfulness in the eyes of God. This doctrine underscores the vital importance of perseverance in faith and obedience until the end. It teaches that salvation is not a one-time event but requires ongoing commitment. Past good deeds are not a shield against present rebellion. This principle finds resonance in the New Testament emphasis on enduring faith and the dangers of falling away from grace, which can lead to spiritual ruin. God's judgment is consistent and fair, based on one's current standing and continued actions, not merely past affirmations or deeds.