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Ezekiel 18:4
Verse
Context
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Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
All souls are mine - Equally so; I am the Father of the spirits of all flesh, and shall deal impartially with the whole. The soul that sinneth, it shall die - None shall die for another's crimes, none shall be saved by another's righteousness. Here is the general judgment relative to the righteousness and unrighteousness of men, and the influence of one man's state on that of another; particularly in respect to their moral conduct.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
all souls are mine--Therefore I can deal with all, being My own creation, as I please (Jer 18:6). As the Creator of all alike I can have no reason, but the principle of equity, according to men's works, to make any difference, so as to punish some, and to save others (Gen 18:25). "The soul that sinneth it shall die." The curse descending from father to son assumes guilt shared in by the son; there is a natural tendency in the child to follow the sin of his father, and so he shares in the father's punishment: hence the principles of God's government, involved in Exo 20:5 and Jer 15:4, are justified. The sons, therefore (as the Jews here), cannot complain of being unjustly afflicted by God (Lam 5:7); for they filled up the guilt of their fathers (Mat 23:32, Mat 23:34-36). The same God who "recompenses the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children," is immediately after set forth as "giving to every man according to his ways" (Jer 32:18-19) which "visited the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation" (where the explanation is added, "of them that hate me," that is, the children hating God, as well as their fathers: the former being too likely to follow their parents, sin going down with cumulative force from parent to child), we find (Deu 24:16), "the fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither the children for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin." The inherited guilt of sin in infants (Rom 5:14) is an awful fact, but one met by the atonement of Christ; but it is of adults that he speaks here. Whatever penalties fall on communities for connection with sins of their fathers, individual adults who repent shall escape (Kg2 23:25-26). This was no new thing, as some misinterpret the passage here; it had been always God's principle to punish only the guilty, and not also the innocent, for the sins of their fathers. God does not here change the principle of His administration, but is merely about to manifest it so personally to each that the Jews should no longer throw on God and on their fathers the blame which was their own. soul that sinneth, it shall die--and it alone (Rom 6:23); not also the innocent.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And hath not eaten upon the mountains,.... Where temples and altars were built for idols, and sacrifices offered up to them; and where feasts were kept to the honour of them, and the sacrifices to them eaten; see Eze 6:13; for otherwise it was not unlawful to eat common food on mountains, as well as on other places; but here it denotes idolatrous practices; and the Targum is, "and hath not served idols on the mountains:'' neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel; their "dunghill gods" (d) as the word signifies; as not to the idols of the Gentiles, so not to those of Israel, as the calves at Dan and Bethel; these he does not worship, nor pray unto, or invoke, nor even give a pleasant and favourable look unto; but turned from them with abhorrence and contempt: neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife; been guilty of adultery, by lying with another man's wife; or by marrying one divorced, not having committed fornication; which divorces were common among the Jews, and marrying such so divorced, Mat 19:19; neither hath come near to a menstruous woman: a woman in her monthly courses, even his own wife; who, according to the law, was set apart for her uncleanness for a certain term of time; during which she was not to be touched, nor anything she sat or lay upon; and all conjugal acts to be abstained from, Lev 15:19. (d) "ad stercoreos deos", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus; "ad stercora", Piscator, Cocceius.
Ezekiel 18:4
The Soul Who Sins Will Die
3As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel.4Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Cup of Wrath
By Andrew Bonar3.5K24:49Audio BooksJOB 36:18PSA 7:11PSA 11:6PSA 21:9PSA 75:1EZK 18:4EZK 22:13In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the severity of God's wrath and the consequences of sin. He uses imagery of the seven seals, trumpets, and vials from the book of Revelation to illustrate that judgment and deliverance are withheld until certain conditions are met. The preacher also highlights the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, where he bore the full weight of God's wrath for humanity's sins. He urges listeners to consider the impending judgment and turn to God for mercy and salvation. The sermon draws from various biblical passages, including Psalms and Ezekiel, to emphasize the certainty and seriousness of God's judgment.
Breaking the Bondage of an Ungodly Heritage
By Don Wilkerson2.8K54:02BondagePSA 27:10JER 1:5JER 4:5JER 4:23JER 5:14JER 6:1JER 23:1JER 23:16JER 23:22JER 31:29JER 31:33EZK 2:3EZK 3:17EZK 11:19EZK 13:22EZK 18:2EZK 18:4EZK 18:14EZK 18:20EZK 33:3EZK 34:2EZK 36:26In this sermon, the speaker addresses the concept of breaking the chains of an ungodly heritage. He criticizes the idea that individuals are not personally responsible for their actions because they are products of their upbringing or environment. The speaker references a proverb from Isaiah about a vineyard and how it is often used to excuse poor behavior based on parental influence. However, the speaker argues that this philosophy is a cop-out and that individuals should take responsibility for their own choices. The sermon emphasizes the importance of personal accountability and challenges the notion of being bound by family ties.
Alive or Dead (Reading)
By J.C. Ryle2.3K39:072KI 13:21EZK 18:4MAT 6:33MAT 23:37JHN 3:3EPH 5:14COL 2:13In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living a consistent and faithful life as a witness for God. He urges listeners to let their words, actions, and attitudes align with their faith. The preacher also highlights the urgency of turning away from sin and seeking salvation, reminding listeners that God does not desire anyone to perish. He emphasizes the love and compassion of Jesus, who weeps over those who reject him and offers them the opportunity to be gathered under his care. The preacher concludes by affirming that a true transformation of the soul is possible and necessary for all individuals.
Esther 8:7
By William MacDonald2.0K39:33EstherISA 55:11EZK 18:4MAT 6:33LUK 16:17ROM 6:23ROM 8:1GAL 3:10In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the significance of one's last words and the desire to leave a positive legacy. The sermon emphasizes God's continuous work on behalf of his people and the thrilling prospect of the good news spreading rapidly. The speaker also addresses the current state of the gospel and the need for Christians to actively participate in its dissemination. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the unfinished task of reaching the majority of the world's population who do not profess Christianity, highlighting the urgency of sharing the gospel before the Second Coming of Christ.
The Story of Esther
By David Guzik1.6K50:31EST 9:1PSA 121:2EZK 18:4MAT 6:33JHN 15:14ROM 8:34HEB 7:25In this sermon, the speaker begins by asking the congregation what God has been arranging in their lives and what they are being set up for. He emphasizes the importance of being in church and the significance of attending despite the time change. The sermon then focuses on the story of Esther and how she had to approach the king to save her people. The speaker highlights the pivotal moment when Esther is faced with the decision to risk her life and approach the king, and how Mordecai encourages her to fulfill her destiny.
God Has No Pleasure in the Death of the Wicked
By Paris Reidhead1.4K1:06:17DeathEZK 18:4EZK 33:7MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being a witness for God. He highlights that individual contact and personal testimony often have greater impact than public ministry. The sermon also discusses the consequences of sin, stating that it deserves punishment by death due to the deformity it causes to the soul. The speaker then references Ezekiel 18:4, which declares that the soul that sins shall surely die. The sermon concludes with a call to turn to God for salvation and emphasizes the urgency of sharing this message with others.
Ministry Prayers Questions
By Hattie Hammond4461:25:16MinistryEZK 18:4MAT 6:33ROM 12:22CO 6:14EPH 4:14COL 1:271TH 5:19In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the process of spiritual growth and transformation. He uses the analogy of a seed and the four seasons to illustrate how God's work in our lives takes time. The speaker also highlights the importance of yielding to the Holy Spirit and refusing to give in to the temptations of the enemy. He encourages believers to focus on the work of God within them rather than being overly conscious of the devil's influence. The sermon references the story of Mary and the birth of Jesus to illustrate how the Holy Spirit brings forth new life in believers.
God's Plan for the Family - William Blackburn
By From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons33940:25RadioEZK 18:4JOL 2:32MAT 7:24ROM 3:23ROM 6:23ROM 10:9COL 3:20In this sermon, William Blackburn addresses the issue of broken families and the decline of traditional values in society. He highlights the alarming statistics of divorce rates and the negative impact it has on children. Blackburn emphasizes the importance of following God's plan for the family, which includes obedience to parents and living a righteous life. He also criticizes the influence of television and media in shaping the behavior and attitudes of young people. Overall, Blackburn urges young people to be godly and lead their parents to the Lord through their actions and faith.
A Startling Statement
By J. Wilbur Chapman0DEU 5:9PSA 90:8PRO 11:21JER 30:11EZK 18:4ROM 14:23GAL 6:7JAS 1:151JN 3:41JN 5:17J. Wilbur Chapman preaches on the consequences of sin, emphasizing that the wicked shall not go unpunished, as seen in various Bible passages. He highlights the certainty of reaping what one sows, the inescapable nature of God's judgment, and the impact of sin on individuals and generations. Chapman stresses the importance of understanding sin to grasp the need for atonement and forgiveness, pointing out that sin separates us from God, each other, and pollutes us. He presents the contrasting ways of man's futile attempts at reformation and God's offer of cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ, illustrating the hope and mercy available despite the consequences of sin.
Homily 18 on Ephesians
By St. John Chrysostom0JER 38:4EZK 13:19EZK 18:4MAT 7:1JHN 3:20ROM 1:25ROM 6:21EPH 5:5John Chrysostom preaches about the dangers of fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness, emphasizing that those who practice such sins will not inherit the kingdom of God. He warns against being deceived by empty words and highlights the wrath of God upon the disobedient. Chrysostom urges believers to walk as children of light, to reprove unfruitful works of darkness, and to live in goodness, righteousness, and truth, pleasing the Lord. He stresses the importance of exposing sin and encouraging repentance to bring light into the darkness of wickedness.
Loved With Everlasting Love Part 2
By Paris Reidhead0GEN 2:17EZK 18:4JHN 3:15ACT 16:31ROM 3:231CO 2:9EPH 1:4Paris Reidhead preaches about the sovereignty of God as revealed in Ephesians, emphasizing that God planned for children from eternity past out of His love. He explains how God made man in His image with the ability to think, feel, and will, taking a calculated risk to create beings capable of love. Reidhead delves into the fall of man, highlighting the choices made by Eve and Adam, leading to physical, legal, and spiritual death. He discusses the process of salvation, emphasizing that God planned and provided for the redemption of His children through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Change - Human or Divine
By Colin Peckham0ISA 64:6EZK 18:41CO 15:222CO 5:17TIT 3:5Colin Peckham preaches about the radical change that becoming a Christian brings to one's life. He discusses the futile attempts people make to change themselves through education, social status, good deeds, and religious activities, emphasizing that none of these can remove sin or secure salvation. The only way to be transformed and saved for eternity is through a regenerational change, where one acknowledges their sinfulness, trusts in Jesus as the Substitute who took on our sins, and receives new life and forgiveness through Him.
Are You Anxious About Your Soul?
By James Smith0EZK 18:4JHN 3:16ACT 4:12ROM 6:231TI 2:5James Smith passionately urges the audience to consider the state of their souls, emphasizing the eternal consequences of sin and the necessity of finding salvation in Christ. He highlights the terrifying reality of eternal death and the everlasting suffering that awaits those who do not have a Savior. Smith stresses the importance of Jesus as the only way to escape God's wrath, as He willingly became the Substitute to bear the penalty for our sins, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him.
Justified
By Anton Bosch0EZK 18:4ROM 1:17ROM 3:20ROM 5:1ROM 10:101CO 6:92CO 5:21PHP 3:61TI 1:15REV 1:5Anton Bosch delves into the heart of the book of Romans, emphasizing the concept of being justified by faith, which sparked the reformation in Martin Luther. He explains the significance of being justified and the connection to righteousness, highlighting that God's righteousness is the standard we must meet. Despite our efforts to be righteous by human standards, only God's righteousness is perfect and necessary for salvation.
If the Cross Should Speak
By George H. Alquist Jr.0ISA 53:5EZK 18:4ROM 3:23ROM 10:131CO 15:32CO 5:21EPH 2:8COL 3:11PE 2:24REV 20:14George H. Alquist Jr. preaches about the profound significance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, foretold in the Old Testament, where God sacrificed His Son on the cross for the sins of the world. Through Jesus' death, we can receive forgiveness and salvation by faith, as He bore our sins and rose from the grave in victory over sin, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him. The cross, once a symbol of death, now represents hope and eternal life, proclaiming the gospel message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Why the Wicked Are Spared for a Season.
By Edward Payson0GEN 15:16PSA 95:7PRO 29:1EZK 18:4ROM 2:5HEB 3:15HEB 10:262PE 3:91JN 1:9Edward Payson preaches about God's patience in waiting for sinners to fill up the measure of their iniquity before executing judgment, emphasizing that every impenitent sinner is constantly ripening for destruction by filling up their sins. He explains that sinners fill up their guilt more rapidly based on their opportunities, privileges, and means of grace, and warns that the measure of iniquity fills much faster than sinners are aware. Payson urges impenitent sinners to repent and seek Jesus Christ for forgiveness, highlighting the imminent danger of delaying repentance and the necessity of having an interest in Christ for salvation.
The Sinner Sentenced
By Philip Doddridge0JOB 42:4PSA 9:17EZK 18:4MAT 25:41LUK 18:13ACT 17:311CO 4:32CO 5:10GAL 3:10Philip Doddridge delivers a powerful sermon warning sinners about the impending judgement day, emphasizing the universal curse pronounced by God's law on all transgressors, leading to death and eternal damnation in hell. The sermon vividly describes the solemnity of the judgement process and the specific illustration of the sentence 'Depart, accursed,' highlighting the immediate execution that follows. Sinners are urged to prepare for enduring the terrifying consequences of their actions, with a reflection provided for those struck with the terror of their sentence, prompting a plea for mercy and a desperate search for a way to escape the impending doom.
His Sun
By Horatius Bonar0Divine LoveGod's SovereigntyPSA 19:4PSA 148:3EZK 18:4MAT 5:45LUK 15:4LUK 15:8JHN 8:12REV 6:12REV 8:12REV 16:8Horatius Bonar emphasizes the divine ownership of creation, particularly focusing on the sun as God's property. He explains that God not only created the sun but also sustains it, allowing it to rise and shine for both the righteous and the wicked. The sun serves multiple purposes: it brings mercy, performs miracles, acts as a type of Christ, and signifies judgment. Bonar encourages believers to recognize the sun as a reflection of God's love and to respond by loving others as God loves. Ultimately, the sun is a reminder of God's presence and providence in our lives.
Standing in Slippery Places
By Paris Reidhead0Compassion for the LostJudgmentDEU 32:35JOB 13:15PSA 73:18PSA 119:165ECC 2:11ECC 12:1ISA 55:2JER 23:12EZK 18:4MRK 6:31Paris Reidhead's sermon 'Standing in Slippery Places' emphasizes the precarious state of the wicked who seem to prosper while the righteous suffer. He draws from Psalm 73, illustrating how the apparent success of the ungodly can lead believers to envy and doubt God's justice. Reidhead warns that the wicked are in a dangerous position, standing on slippery ground, and that their judgment is imminent. He urges Christians to recognize the urgency of reaching out to the lost, as they are already condemned and in need of salvation. The sermon calls for a deep compassion for the unsaved and a commitment to evangelism.
The Terror of the Lord
By Samuel Logan Brengle0Judgment and MercyThe Fear of the LordGEN 3:4PSA 9:16PRO 14:9EZK 18:4JHN 1:29ROM 6:232CO 5:11HEB 10:311JN 4:18REV 20:11Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the duality of God's nature, highlighting that while He is rich in mercy, He is equally terrible in wrath. The sermon underscores the importance of recognizing the terror of the Lord as a motivator for repentance and a call to holiness, warning that judgment follows wrongdoing just as night follows day. Brengle urges that this truth should be preached earnestly and with reverence, as it reflects the unchangeable holiness of God's character. He contrasts the mockery of sin with the reverential fear that leads believers to seek refuge in God's love and mercy. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a balance of holy fear and love, urging listeners to make their calling sure and endure to the end.
Ezekiel 18:4
By Chuck Smith0Personal Relationship with GodAccountabilityEZK 18:4MAT 22:37JHN 6:37ROM 14:12JAS 1:5Chuck Smith emphasizes that every soul belongs to God, highlighting the personal relationship each individual has with Him. He explains that we are accountable for our own choices and cannot rely on the righteousness of others, such as our parents or spouses. Smith also discusses the rights we have in God, including access to His wisdom, strength, love, and grace, as well as the responsibility to know, love, and submit to Him. Ultimately, he asserts that true self-discovery and potential are found in acknowledging God's claim over our lives.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
All souls are mine - Equally so; I am the Father of the spirits of all flesh, and shall deal impartially with the whole. The soul that sinneth, it shall die - None shall die for another's crimes, none shall be saved by another's righteousness. Here is the general judgment relative to the righteousness and unrighteousness of men, and the influence of one man's state on that of another; particularly in respect to their moral conduct.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
all souls are mine--Therefore I can deal with all, being My own creation, as I please (Jer 18:6). As the Creator of all alike I can have no reason, but the principle of equity, according to men's works, to make any difference, so as to punish some, and to save others (Gen 18:25). "The soul that sinneth it shall die." The curse descending from father to son assumes guilt shared in by the son; there is a natural tendency in the child to follow the sin of his father, and so he shares in the father's punishment: hence the principles of God's government, involved in Exo 20:5 and Jer 15:4, are justified. The sons, therefore (as the Jews here), cannot complain of being unjustly afflicted by God (Lam 5:7); for they filled up the guilt of their fathers (Mat 23:32, Mat 23:34-36). The same God who "recompenses the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children," is immediately after set forth as "giving to every man according to his ways" (Jer 32:18-19) which "visited the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation" (where the explanation is added, "of them that hate me," that is, the children hating God, as well as their fathers: the former being too likely to follow their parents, sin going down with cumulative force from parent to child), we find (Deu 24:16), "the fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither the children for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin." The inherited guilt of sin in infants (Rom 5:14) is an awful fact, but one met by the atonement of Christ; but it is of adults that he speaks here. Whatever penalties fall on communities for connection with sins of their fathers, individual adults who repent shall escape (Kg2 23:25-26). This was no new thing, as some misinterpret the passage here; it had been always God's principle to punish only the guilty, and not also the innocent, for the sins of their fathers. God does not here change the principle of His administration, but is merely about to manifest it so personally to each that the Jews should no longer throw on God and on their fathers the blame which was their own. soul that sinneth, it shall die--and it alone (Rom 6:23); not also the innocent.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And hath not eaten upon the mountains,.... Where temples and altars were built for idols, and sacrifices offered up to them; and where feasts were kept to the honour of them, and the sacrifices to them eaten; see Eze 6:13; for otherwise it was not unlawful to eat common food on mountains, as well as on other places; but here it denotes idolatrous practices; and the Targum is, "and hath not served idols on the mountains:'' neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel; their "dunghill gods" (d) as the word signifies; as not to the idols of the Gentiles, so not to those of Israel, as the calves at Dan and Bethel; these he does not worship, nor pray unto, or invoke, nor even give a pleasant and favourable look unto; but turned from them with abhorrence and contempt: neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife; been guilty of adultery, by lying with another man's wife; or by marrying one divorced, not having committed fornication; which divorces were common among the Jews, and marrying such so divorced, Mat 19:19; neither hath come near to a menstruous woman: a woman in her monthly courses, even his own wife; who, according to the law, was set apart for her uncleanness for a certain term of time; during which she was not to be touched, nor anything she sat or lay upon; and all conjugal acts to be abstained from, Lev 15:19. (d) "ad stercoreos deos", Junius & Tremellius, Polanus; "ad stercora", Piscator, Cocceius.