What is the meaning of Ezekiel 18:24? But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness • Scripture treats righteousness as a present, living relationship with God, not a permanent status stamped in the past (Ezekiel 33:13). • Turning is a deliberate choice; it shows that even those once aligned with God must keep walking in obedience (1 Corinthians 10:12; Matthew 24:13). • The verse underscores personal responsibility—no one coasts to the finish line on yesterday’s faithfulness (Philippians 2:12). and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, • “Practices” signals a settled pattern, not a momentary lapse (Galatians 5:19-21). • Ezekiel’s original audience would hear echoes of idolatry, oppression, and violence listed earlier in the chapter (Ezekiel 18:10-13). • Adopting “the same abominations” erases the moral distinction between the once-righteous person and the openly wicked (Romans 1:28-32). will he live? • The question is rhetorical; the implied answer is no (Romans 6:23). • God’s justice is impartial—He judges by current conduct, not former reputation (James 1:15; Hebrews 10:26-27). • Eternal life is promised to the one who “perseveres to the end” (Matthew 24:13), not to the one who begins well and ends in rebellion. None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. • Past obedience cannot be banked to offset present sin (Ezekiel 3:20). • Righteous deeds are “forgotten” in the sense that they no longer factor into the verdict when a person abandons God (Revelation 2:4-5). • The mirror image is found in Ezekiel 18:22, where the wicked who turns to righteousness has his sins “remembered no more”—God’s mercy and justice apply both directions. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die. • “Die” signals both temporal judgment (the fall of Jerusalem) and ultimate spiritual death apart from God (John 15:6). • Unfaithfulness is covenant betrayal; it severs the lifeline of fellowship (Romans 11:20-22). • The principle is consistent with Ezekiel 18:20: “The soul who sins shall die”. summary Ezekiel 18:24 teaches that righteousness is not a one-time badge but a continuing walk with God. If a person once faithful abandons that path and adopts persistent sin, God’s just character requires judgment: past good works are no refuge, and the consequence is death. The verse challenges believers to remain steadfast, knowing that life is secured by ongoing faith and obedience rather than by a past moment of righteousness. |
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