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Ezekiel 18:23
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Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? - No! That is foreign to him whose name is love, and whose nature is mercy. On the contrary he "wills that he should return from his evil ways and live." And if God can have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, he cannot have made a decree to abandon him to the evil of his nature, and then damn him for what he could not avoid: for as God can do nothing with which he is not pleased, so he can decree nothing with which he is not pleased. But he is "not pleased with the death of a sinner," therefore he cannot have made a decree to bring him to this death.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Ti1 2:4; Pe2 3:9). If men perish, it is because they will not come to the Lord for salvation; not that the Lord is not willing to save them (Joh 5:40). They trample on not merely justice, but mercy; what farther hope can there be for them, when even mercy is against them? (Heb 10:26-29).
John Gill Bible Commentary
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness,.... This is to be understood, not of a truly righteous man; for no man can be so denominated from his own righteousness; but from the righteousness and obedience of Christ; and such a man cannot turn from his righteousness; for that is the righteousness of God, and can never be lost; and is an everlasting one, and will always endure; and with which eternal life is inseparably connected: but this is to be interpreted of one that is reckoned so from his own righteousness, what he himself has done, and not from another, from the righteousness of Christ, which he has wrought out; he is one that is righteous in his own esteem, and in the account of others; who is outwardly righteous before men; who trusts in himself that he is righteous, and trusts to his own righteousness; see Eze 33:13; whose righteousness is not an evangelical one, but either a ceremonial righteousness, or at most a mere moral one, consisting of some negative holiness, and a few moral performances, as appears from Eze 18:5; and from such a righteousness as this a man may turn, commit iniquity, sin and die; see Pe2 2:20; and is no proof or instance of the apostasy of real saints, true believers, or truly righteous men; besides, this man is represented as a transgressor, or "prevaricator", as the word signifies; a hypocrite, a man destitute of the truth of grace, and of true righteousness: and committeth iniquity; makes a trade of sinning; goes into a vicious course of life, and continues in it; which a truly gracious man, one that is born again, and has true faith in Christ's righteousness, by which he is justified, can never do, Jo1 3:8; and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth; such as theft, murder, adultery, idolatry, oppression of the poor, and giving upon usury, Eze 18:10; shall he live? in his own land, in peace and prosperity, enjoying all manner of good things? he shall not; much less shall he live an eternal life, so living and dying: all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: or, "all his righteousnesses" (k); all the good works which he has done will never come into any account, or be of any avail; as they merited nothing, they will meet with no reward; they will not preserve him from present calamity, which his now sinful life exposes him to, nor secure him from eternal ruin; these may be mentioned and pleaded by himself, but to no purpose; God will not mention them, nor take any notice of them, nor the Judge at the great day of account, Mat 7:22; in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die; or, for his hypocrisy, "prevarication" (l), and vicious course of life he now lives in, a death of affliction shall come upon him; great calamities and distresses in this world; and, if grace prevent not, eternal death in the other; if he dies in his trespasses and sins, he will die the second death. (k) "omnes justitiae ejus", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius. (l) "propter prvevaricationem ipsius, vel suam", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Polanus.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
18:23-24 God does not like to see wicked people die, so he appointed Ezekiel as a watchman, whose role was to turn the wicked toward godly life while warning the righteous against falling away (3:16-19; 33:1-9).
Ezekiel 18:23
The Soul Who Sins Will Die
22None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live.23Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?
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(Through the Bible) Ezekiel 31-35
By Chuck Smith1.8K1:24:26EZK 3:17EZK 18:23EZK 33:32EZK 34:11EZK 34:16EZK 34:18In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of churches putting on entertaining programs to draw crowds instead of focusing on sound doctrine. He emphasizes that people with itching ears may enjoy the entertainment but will not truly follow God's word. The speaker then discusses how God commissions Ezekiel to speak His word to the captives in Babylon, comparing it to a watchman warning of an impending invasion. The responsibility of the watchman is to give the warning, but what the people do with it is up to them. The speaker concludes by highlighting that God has not commissioned believers to argue or force people into the kingdom of heaven, but rather to witness His truth, leaving the response to individuals.
Prayer Summit - Part 10 by Gerhard Dutoit
By Gerhard Du Toit70022:00ISA 1:18EZK 18:23MAT 25:14LUK 19:10ACT 1:8ROM 12:1EPH 1:13JAS 5:16This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering all aspects of our lives to God, highlighting the profound love and sacrifice Jesus made for each individual, the power of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for ministry, and the transformative impact of sharing the Gospel with others. It also stresses the significance of prayer, obedience to God's will, and the eternal value of every soul.
The Sovereignty of God and the Responsibility of Man - Part 1
By Bob Hoekstra55600:00EZK 18:23LUK 9:23JHN 3:16In this sermon, the speaker explores the theological debate between Calvinism and Arminianism, which centers around the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. The speaker acknowledges the apparent contradiction between these two truths and presents verses from the Bible to support both perspectives. They emphasize the free choice of man and the call for individuals to respond to God's invitation for salvation. The sermon concludes with a prayer for spiritual growth and a renewed mind to understand God's plans and purposes.
God Has No Pleasure in the Sinner's Death
By Charles Finney0God's CompassionThe Urgency of RepentanceEZK 18:23EZK 33:11MAT 18:14LUK 13:3JHN 3:16ACT 3:19ROM 6:231TI 2:42PE 3:9REV 3:19Charles Finney emphasizes that God takes no pleasure in the death of sinners, urging them to turn from their wicked ways to find life. He explains that the death referred to is not physical but spiritual, representing eternal separation from God. Finney argues that God's nature, which is rooted in benevolence and compassion, cannot delight in the suffering of His creation, and He desires all to repent and live. He further discusses the necessity of free will in moral governance, asserting that while God does not prevent the death of sinners, He provides the means for salvation through repentance. Ultimately, Finney calls on sinners to recognize the urgency of turning to God before it is too late.
Put Away the Wickedness
By Clement of Rome0ISA 1:17EZK 18:23Clement of Rome preaches about the importance of repentance, emphasizing God's desire for sinners to turn from their iniquity and seek His forgiveness. He highlights God's gracious declaration that even the most sinful can be made clean and white as snow through genuine repentance and turning to Him with a whole heart. Clement urges the people to seek justice, deliver the oppressed, and care for the vulnerable, reminding them of the blessings of obedience and the consequences of disobedience as spoken by the Lord.
The Second Word
By W.R. Inge02CH 7:14PSA 51:17EZK 18:23LUK 23:39JAS 4:8W.R. Inge preaches about the powerful transformation of the thief on the cross next to Jesus, who went from reviling Christ to repenting and confessing Him as the Son of God. This thief's sudden change of heart and unwavering faith in Jesus, even in the face of death, showcases the infinite mercy and compassion of God, who forgave him and promised him a place in paradise. Through the thief's example, we are reminded of the importance of genuine repentance, humility, and turning to God with a contrite heart, as God desires not the death of a sinner but their conversion and life.
Free Grace
By John Wesley0PredestinationFree GraceEZK 18:23MAT 23:37JHN 3:16ACT 17:30ROM 8:32ROM 10:121TI 2:6JAS 1:52PE 3:91JN 2:2John Wesley passionately preaches on the concept of Free Grace, emphasizing that God's love and grace are freely given to all, regardless of human merit or actions. He argues against the doctrine of predestination, asserting that it undermines the essence of Christian faith and the call to holiness, love, and good works. Wesley highlights that the belief in a predetermined fate for some to be saved and others to be damned contradicts the nature of God as loving and just. He calls for a return to the understanding that salvation is available to everyone who chooses to accept it, reinforcing the importance of preaching and the hope of redemption. Ultimately, Wesley's message is a clarion call to embrace the fullness of God's grace and to live out that grace in love and action.
The Examination of Conscience and the Resolution to Amend
By Thomas a Kempis0PSA 51:17EZK 18:23ROM 12:1HEB 10:221JN 1:9Thomas a Kempis emphasizes the importance of approaching the Sacrament with humility, faith, and reverence, urging believers to cleanse their conscience through true contrition and confession. He encourages deep reflection on one's sins, expressing sorrow for worldly desires, lack of discipline, and other faults, and calls for a firm commitment to daily improvement and spiritual growth. Kempis highlights the significance of offering oneself as a sacrifice to God, trusting in His care, and finding redemption and cleansing through the Sacrament of the Body of Christ, emphasizing God's desire for repentance and forgiveness.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? - No! That is foreign to him whose name is love, and whose nature is mercy. On the contrary he "wills that he should return from his evil ways and live." And if God can have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, he cannot have made a decree to abandon him to the evil of his nature, and then damn him for what he could not avoid: for as God can do nothing with which he is not pleased, so he can decree nothing with which he is not pleased. But he is "not pleased with the death of a sinner," therefore he cannot have made a decree to bring him to this death.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Ti1 2:4; Pe2 3:9). If men perish, it is because they will not come to the Lord for salvation; not that the Lord is not willing to save them (Joh 5:40). They trample on not merely justice, but mercy; what farther hope can there be for them, when even mercy is against them? (Heb 10:26-29).
John Gill Bible Commentary
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness,.... This is to be understood, not of a truly righteous man; for no man can be so denominated from his own righteousness; but from the righteousness and obedience of Christ; and such a man cannot turn from his righteousness; for that is the righteousness of God, and can never be lost; and is an everlasting one, and will always endure; and with which eternal life is inseparably connected: but this is to be interpreted of one that is reckoned so from his own righteousness, what he himself has done, and not from another, from the righteousness of Christ, which he has wrought out; he is one that is righteous in his own esteem, and in the account of others; who is outwardly righteous before men; who trusts in himself that he is righteous, and trusts to his own righteousness; see Eze 33:13; whose righteousness is not an evangelical one, but either a ceremonial righteousness, or at most a mere moral one, consisting of some negative holiness, and a few moral performances, as appears from Eze 18:5; and from such a righteousness as this a man may turn, commit iniquity, sin and die; see Pe2 2:20; and is no proof or instance of the apostasy of real saints, true believers, or truly righteous men; besides, this man is represented as a transgressor, or "prevaricator", as the word signifies; a hypocrite, a man destitute of the truth of grace, and of true righteousness: and committeth iniquity; makes a trade of sinning; goes into a vicious course of life, and continues in it; which a truly gracious man, one that is born again, and has true faith in Christ's righteousness, by which he is justified, can never do, Jo1 3:8; and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth; such as theft, murder, adultery, idolatry, oppression of the poor, and giving upon usury, Eze 18:10; shall he live? in his own land, in peace and prosperity, enjoying all manner of good things? he shall not; much less shall he live an eternal life, so living and dying: all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: or, "all his righteousnesses" (k); all the good works which he has done will never come into any account, or be of any avail; as they merited nothing, they will meet with no reward; they will not preserve him from present calamity, which his now sinful life exposes him to, nor secure him from eternal ruin; these may be mentioned and pleaded by himself, but to no purpose; God will not mention them, nor take any notice of them, nor the Judge at the great day of account, Mat 7:22; in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die; or, for his hypocrisy, "prevarication" (l), and vicious course of life he now lives in, a death of affliction shall come upon him; great calamities and distresses in this world; and, if grace prevent not, eternal death in the other; if he dies in his trespasses and sins, he will die the second death. (k) "omnes justitiae ejus", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius. (l) "propter prvevaricationem ipsius, vel suam", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Polanus.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
18:23-24 God does not like to see wicked people die, so he appointed Ezekiel as a watchman, whose role was to turn the wicked toward godly life while warning the righteous against falling away (3:16-19; 33:1-9).