What is the meaning of Ezekiel 18:20? The soul who sins is the one who will die “The soul who sins is the one who will die.” • Personal accountability before God is unmistakable. Earlier in the same chapter He says, “The soul of the father and the soul of the son are Mine; the soul who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). • This principle echoes Deuteronomy 24:16 and is reaffirmed in Romans 6:23 and James 1:15—sin earns death, not merely physical but spiritual separation from God. • By stating it so directly, the Lord dismantles any idea that judgment is random or unjust; each life stands or falls on its own choices. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father “A son will not bear the iniquity of his father.” • God rejects the proverb, “The fathers eat sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge” (Jeremiah 31:29-30). • Deuteronomy 24:16 and 2 Kings 14:6 already forbade courts from executing children for their parents’ crimes; Ezekiel moves the principle from the human courtroom into God’s. • Though patterns of sin can pass down, guilt does not. Each generation is free to repent and live (Ezekiel 18:14-17). A father will not bear the iniquity of his son “…and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son.” • The fairness runs both directions. A righteous parent is not dragged down by a prodigal child, as illustrated by Asa’s godliness compared to his father Abijam’s sins (1 Kings 15:3, 11). • 2 Chronicles 25:4 shows Amaziah obeying the Mosaic law by sparing children for their fathers’ crimes, underscoring that God’s standard had always been individual responsibility. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him “The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him.” • God honors obedience. “You reward everyone according to his work” (Psalm 62:12). • Jesus promised, “The Son of Man will repay each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27). • Blessings attached to righteousness may include earthly favor (Proverbs 11:18) but always include eternal reward (Romans 2:6-7; 1 Corinthians 3:14). • No one is saved by inherited merit; each must personally trust and obey. The wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him “…and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.” • Sin eventually recoils on the sinner. “The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires” (Proverbs 11:6). • Paul warns, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, he will reap” (Galatians 6:7). • Final judgment is individual: “The dead were judged according to their deeds” (Revelation 20:12-13). • Ezekiel’s audience—tempted to blame past generations for exile—had to face their own rebellion (Ezekiel 18:30-32). summary Ezekiel 18:20 dismantles every excuse that shifts blame to family, culture, or fate. God deals with each soul personally: sin brings death, righteousness is rewarded, and no one carries another’s guilt. The verse calls every listener to personal repentance and faith, confident that the Judge of all the earth deals with each heart in perfect justice and mercy. |
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