Ezekiel 18:5

“But if a man be just, &c.] Not legally, as to be wholly free from sin, for there is no such just man, (<210720>Ecclesiastes 7:20); but evangelically, through the imputation of the righteousness of Christ unto him; and who has a principle of grace and holiness wrought in him; a man of a just principle and good conscience; who is disposed by the grace of God to that which is just and right; for this seems to refer to the inward frame of the mind, as distinct from actions, and as the source of them, as follows: and do that which is lawful and right; or “judgment”f263 and “justice”; true judgment and justice, as the Targum; that which is just and right by the law of God, and is so between man…”

“Here begins the illustration of God's impartiality in a series of supposed cases. The first case is given in Eze 18:5-9, the just man. The excellencies are selected in reference to the prevailing sins of the age, from which such a one stood aloof; hence arises the omission of some features of righteousness, which, under different circumstances, would have been desirable to be enumerated. Each age has its own besetting temptations, and the just man will be distinguished by his guarding against the peculiar defilements, inward and outward, of his age. just . . . lawful . . . right--the duties of the second table of the law, which flow from the fear of God. Piety is the root of all charity; to…”

“18:5-9 God’s justice is worked out in a case study by following three hypothetical generations. In the first generation, a righteous man was faithful in worshiping the Lord, sexually pure, and fair in dealing with others. A person who lives like that has no need to fear God’s judgment.”

“if: Psa 15:2-5, Psa 24:4-6; Mat 7:21-27; Rom 2:7-10; Jam 1:22-25, Jam 2:14-26; Jo1 2:3, Jo1 2:29, Jo1 3:7, Jo1 5:2-5; Rev 22:14 that: etc. Heb. judgment and justice, Eze 33:14; Gen 18:19; Pro 21:3; Jer 22:15 Ezekiel 18:6”

“The Righteous Man Shall Not Die Eze 18:5. If a man is righteous, and doeth right and righteousness, Eze 18:6. And doth not eat upon the mountains, and doth not lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, and doth not defile his neighbour's wife, and doth not approach his wife in her uncleanness, Eze 18:7. Oppresseth no one, restoreth his security (lit., debt-pledge), committeth no robbery, giveth his bread to the hungry, and covereth the naked with clothes, Eze 18:8. Doth not give upon usury, and taketh not interest, withholdeth his hand from wrong, executeth judgment of truth between one and another, Eze 18:9. Walketh in my statutes, and keepeth my rights to execute truth; he is…”