Ezekiel 18:24

KJV

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 mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

KJV (with Strong's)

But when the righteous {H6662} turneth away {H7725} from his righteousness {H6666}, and committeth {H6213} iniquity {H5766}, and doeth {H6213} according to all the abominations {H8441} that the wicked {H7563} man doeth {H6213}, shall he live {H2425}? All his righteousness {H6666} that he hath done {H6213} shall not be mentioned {H2142}: in his trespass {H4603} that he hath trespassed {H4604}, and in his sin {H2403} that he hath sinned {H2398}, in them shall he die {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"On the other hand, when the righteous person turns away from his righteousness and commits wickedness by acting in accordance with all the disgusting practices that the wicked person does, will he live? None of the righteous deeds he has done will be remembered; for the trespasses and sins he has committed, he will die.

Berean Standard Bible

But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.

American Standard Version

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? None of his righteous deeds that he hath done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 18:24 delivers a stark warning regarding the profound consequences for a person who, having previously walked in righteousness, deliberately turns away to commit iniquity and abominations. It unequivocally declares that all prior righteous deeds will be disregarded, and such a person will face spiritual death in their transgression and sin. This verse powerfully underscores the principle of individual accountability before God, emphasizing that one's current spiritual standing and choices, not past merits, determine their ultimate destiny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 18:24 is a crucial component of a larger theological discourse in [Ezekiel chapter 18](/ezekiel/18 "Ezekiel 18 - Individual Responsibility and Divine Justice"), where the prophet directly confronts and refutes a common proverb prevalent among the Israelite exiles in Babylon: "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge" ([Ezekiel 18:2](/ezekiel/18-2 "Ezekiel 18:2 - The Proverb of Sour Grapes")). This proverb reflected a fatalistic belief that the current generation was being unjustly punished for the sins of their ancestors. God, through Ezekiel, emphatically declares the principle of individual responsibility, stating, "The soul who sins will die" ([Ezekiel 18:4](/ezekiel/18-4 "Ezekiel 18:4 - The Soul Who Sins Will Die")). The chapter then presents three distinct scenarios: the righteous man who lives righteously ([Ezekiel 18:5-9](/ezekiel/18-5 "Ezekiel 18:5-9 - The Righteous Man")), the wicked man who repents and lives righteously ([Ezekiel 18:21-23](/ezekiel/18-21 "Ezekiel 18:21-23 - The Wicked Who Repent")), and the focus of this verse, the righteous man who turns to wickedness. Ezekiel 18:24 serves as the climactic counterpoint to the idea that past righteousness guarantees future salvation, reinforcing that God's judgment is based on one's present, active choices.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Ezekiel was written during the Babylonian exile (c. 597-571 BC), a period of immense national trauma and theological crisis for the Jewish people. Stripped of their land, temple, and monarchy, the exiles grappled with the reasons for their suffering. The proverb of the sour grapes offered a convenient, albeit flawed, explanation, shifting blame from themselves to previous generations. This cultural belief fostered a sense of hopelessness and injustice, undermining personal repentance. Ezekiel's ministry aimed to dismantle this fatalistic worldview, calling the exiles to personal accountability and repentance. The emphasis on individual choice and consequence in [Ezekiel 18](/ezekiel/18 "Ezekiel 18 - A Call to Repentance and Life") was revolutionary in a culture that often viewed sin and punishment through a corporate lens, challenging them to understand God's justice as meticulously fair and responsive to each person's walk.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it champions **Individual Accountability**, a core message of [Ezekiel 18](/ezekiel/18 "Ezekiel 18 - The Principle of Individual Responsibility"), asserting that each person is judged by their own deeds, not by ancestral sin or past merits. Secondly, it highlights the **Dynamic Nature of Righteousness**, presenting it not as a static state achieved once, but as an ongoing, active walk with God. A departure from this path negates previous adherence, emphasizing that righteousness is conditional on continued obedience. Thirdly, the verse underscores the **Severity of Apostasy**, revealing the grave danger of backsliding. To turn from righteousness to "abominations" is a profound betrayal, leading to spiritual death, a concept echoed in New Testament warnings against willful sin after knowing the truth, as seen in [Hebrews 10:26-27](/hebrews/10-26 "Hebrews 10:26-27 - Warning Against Willful Sin"). Finally, it affirms **Divine Justice**, portraying God as perfectly just in His judgments, consistently responding to the choices of individuals, whether for life through repentance or for death through persistent rebellion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** From H6666, this term refers to rightness in the abstract, rectitude, justice, and moral virtue. In the context of Ezekiel 18, it denotes a state of conformity to God's moral law and a right standing with Him, characterized by actions and a way of life that are pleasing to the Lord. When the verse speaks of someone turning away from "his righteousness," it refers to a departure from this established pattern of ethical and spiritual uprightness.
* **Turneth away (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** From H7725, this primitive root means "to turn back (hence, away)" transitively or intransitively. It implies a deliberate and decisive change of direction, a retreat or reversal. In this context, it signifies a conscious and active decision to deviate from the path of righteousness, not a passive falling but an intentional turning away from a life previously dedicated to God.
* **Die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** From H4191, this primitive root means "to die (literally or figuratively)." While it can refer to physical death, in the context of Ezekiel 18, particularly regarding the "soul who sins" ([Ezekiel 18:4](/ezekiel/18-4 "Ezekiel 18:4 - The Soul Who Sins Will Die")), it primarily signifies spiritual death—a separation from God, a loss of His favor and life-giving presence, leading to eternal consequences. This is contrasted with "live" (H2425, _châyay'_), which implies spiritual vitality and a right relationship with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness":** This clause sets the premise, introducing a person who was once characterized by a life of moral and spiritual rectitude, living in conformity to God's will. The phrase "turneth away" implies a deliberate and active departure, a conscious choice to abandon the path of obedience and uprightness that previously defined them. It's not a momentary lapse but a fundamental shift in direction.
* **"and committeth iniquity, [and] doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked [man] doeth, shall he live?":** This section describes the nature of the turning away: it is a full embrace of sin and practices that are intensely offensive to God ("abominations," H8441, _tôwʻêbah'_), aligning oneself with the lifestyle of the wicked. The rhetorical question "shall he live?" anticipates a resounding "No," emphasizing the absolute certainty of the negative consequence. It highlights that such a radical change in conduct leads to a forfeiture of life, both physical and spiritual.
* **"All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned":** This is a powerful declaration of the nullification of past merits. It means that previous acts of obedience, piety, or justice will not be brought up, remembered, or considered in his favor when he is judged for his current state of rebellion. His past good deeds offer no protection or mitigation against the consequences of his present wickedness.
* **"in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.":** This final clause reiterates the direct and unavoidable consequence. The death is specifically tied to his current acts of "trespass" (H4603, _mâʻal'_, meaning treachery or acting covertly against God) and "sin" (H2403, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_, meaning an offense or habitual sinfulness). The repetition emphasizes the certainty and justice of the judgment: the spiritual death is a direct result of his personal, active rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 18:24 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("shall he live?"), which is designed not to elicit an answer but to underscore the obvious and severe consequence of turning from righteousness. This device powerfully engages the audience, forcing them to acknowledge the grave reality of spiritual death. The verse also utilizes stark **Contrast**, juxtaposing the former "righteousness" with the present "iniquity" and "abominations," highlighting the radical and damning shift in character and conduct. Furthermore, the phrase "All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or extreme emphasis, vividly illustrating the complete nullification of past merits in the face of present apostasy. This serves to shock the audience into recognizing the seriousness of persistent sin, regardless of prior devotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 18:24 is a foundational text for understanding the dynamic nature of a walk with God, emphasizing that divine favor and salvation are not based on a one-time decision or past performance, but on a continuous, present commitment to righteousness. It underscores the profound seriousness of apostasy and the principle that God judges individuals based on their current spiritual disposition and actions. This verse challenges any presumption of security based solely on past good deeds, asserting that a deliberate and sustained turning away from God's ways leads to spiritual death. It reveals God's justice as both merciful (as seen in the wicked who repent) and uncompromising (as seen in the righteous who abandon their path), always responding to the heart and life choices of the individual.

* [Hebrews 10:26-27](/hebrews/10-26 "Hebrews 10:26-27 - Warning Against Willful Sin")
* [Matthew 7:21-23](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21-23 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")
* [2 Peter 2:20-22](/2_peter/2-20 "2 Peter 2:20-22 - The Danger of Returning to Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 18:24 serves as a profound and sobering call to continuous vigilance and humility in our spiritual walk. It shatters any complacency that might arise from past spiritual achievements or a sense of inherent righteousness. This verse compels us to recognize that our standing before God is not a static status but a dynamic relationship, requiring ongoing faithfulness, repentance, and obedience. It warns against the insidious danger of spiritual backsliding, reminding us that a deliberate and sustained turning away from God's ways, even after having known and walked in them, carries grave consequences. We are called to cultivate a heart that consistently desires to please God, to actively resist the allure of sin, and to continually examine our lives to ensure our present walk aligns with His will. This passage emphasizes that true faith is not merely a past profession but a living, active commitment that perseveres to the end.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of "once saved, always saved" or the nature of enduring faith?**
* **What specific "abominations" or "iniquities" might tempt me to turn away from a righteous path today?**
* **In what ways might I be relying on past spiritual experiences or good deeds rather than cultivating a present, active relationship with God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure I am consistently "walking in righteousness" and guarding against spiritual complacency?**

### FAQ

**Does Ezekiel 18:24 mean that a person can lose their salvation?**

Answer: Ezekiel 18:24 strongly emphasizes the principle of individual accountability and the serious consequences of a deliberate and sustained turning away from a life of righteousness. It highlights that God judges based on one's present, active choices, not solely on past deeds. While this verse, along with others like [Hebrews 6:4-6](/hebrews/6-4 "Hebrews 6:4-6 - The Impossibility of Renewal for Apostates") and [2 Peter 2:20-22](/2_peter/2-20 "2 Peter 2:20-22 - The Peril of Backsliding"), underscores the grave danger of apostasy and the reality of falling away, it is interpreted differently across Christian traditions. Some understand it to mean that true believers can indeed forfeit salvation if they abandon their faith and return to a life of unrepentant sin. Others view it as a warning against a false or superficial profession of faith, suggesting that those who "turn away" were never genuinely righteous in the first place, or that the verse describes a loss of fellowship and divine blessing rather than eternal salvation itself. Regardless of the specific theological framework, the verse unequivocally communicates the extreme seriousness of a deliberate departure from God's ways and the necessity of perseverance in faith.

**How does this verse reconcile with God's grace and forgiveness?**

Answer: Ezekiel 18:24 does not negate God's grace or His willingness to forgive; rather, it provides a crucial counterbalance to any presumption that grace permits a life of unrepentant sin. The chapter itself begins by emphasizing God's desire for the wicked to turn from their ways and live ([Ezekiel 18:21-23](/ezekiel/18-21 "Ezekiel 18:21-23 - Repentance and Life")), demonstrating His boundless mercy. However, this mercy is extended to those who genuinely repent and turn *to* righteousness, not to those who turn *away* from it. The verse highlights that grace is not a license for sin ([Romans 6:1-2](/romans/6-1 "Romans 6:1-2 - Shall We Continue in Sin?")), but a power that enables us to live righteously. God's justice is consistent: just as He offers life to the repentant wicked, He warns of death for the apostate righteous. His grace is always available for those who genuinely seek to return to Him, but it does not overlook or excuse a deliberate and persistent rebellion against His commands.

**What does it mean that "All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned"?**

Answer: This phrase means that a person's past righteous deeds, no matter how numerous or significant, will not be brought into remembrance or counted in their favor if they subsequently turn away from righteousness and commit iniquity. It signifies a complete nullification or disregard of those former merits in the face of their current, active rebellion. It does not imply that God forgets the deeds, but that they will not serve as a basis for acquittal or a mitigating factor in judgment. The judgment will be based solely on their present state of sin and trespass. This principle underscores the importance of a continuous, living faith and warns against relying on past spiritual performance while living in present disobedience. It emphasizes that God's judgment is always just and based on the individual's current relationship and walk with Him, not on a historical ledger of good deeds that has been abandoned.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 18:24, with its stark warning against turning from righteousness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ. While the Old Covenant emphasized individual accountability for one's own righteousness, it also revealed humanity's inherent inability to perfectly maintain such a standard, constantly falling short of God's glory ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Jesus Christ, however, is the only one who lived a life of perfect, unbroken righteousness, never turning away from the Father's will ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Who Was Tempted")). In Him, the principle of righteousness is transformed: our standing before God is no longer based on our own precarious and often failing efforts, but on the imputed righteousness of Christ, received through faith ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")).

For the believer, the danger highlighted in Ezekiel 18:24 is not that our own works will be "unmentioned" if we stumble, but rather the profound spiritual peril of abandoning the very source of our righteousness—Christ Himself. The New Testament warns against falling away from the faith ([Hebrews 6:4-6](/hebrews/6-4 "Hebrews 6:4-6 - Warning Against Falling Away")) and emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Christ ([John 15:4-6](/john/15-4 "John 15:4-6 - Abiding in Christ")) to bear fruit and remain in His love. While our salvation is secure in Christ, the call to persevere in righteousness remains vital, not as a means to earn salvation, but as evidence of a genuine, living faith empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, who enables us to walk in God's statutes and keep His rules ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, Ezekiel 18:24 points us to the absolute necessity of Christ, both as our perfect righteousness and as the power by which we are enabled to persevere, ensuring that our names remain written in the Book of Life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 33:18

When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.

Proverbs 21:16

¶ The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

2 John 1:8

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

Ezekiel 33:12

Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his [righteousness] in the day that he sinneth.

Ezekiel 33:13

When I shall say to the righteous, [that] he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

Galatians 3:4

Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if [it be] yet in vain.

2 Chronicles 24:17

Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.