Ezekiel 3:20

“Again, when a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, &c.] This is to be understood not of one that is truly righteous, or is justified by the righteousness of Christ; for such can never turn from that righteousness, or be in an unjustified state; seeing that is the righteousness of God, and an everlasting one; but of one that is denominated righteous, from “his” own righteousness, from a righteousness “which he hath done”, as is afterwards expressed; one that is outwardly righteous before men, that is outwardly reformed, that has a righteousness of his own, consisting of a little negative holiness, and a few moral performances; from such righteousness a man may apostatize, and go…”

“righteous . . . turn from . . . righteousness--not one "righteous" as to the root and spirit of regeneration (Psa 89:33; Psa 138:8; Isa 26:12; Isa 27:3; Joh 10:28; Phi 1:6), but as to its outward appearance and performances. So the "righteous" (Pro 18:17; Mat 9:13). As in Eze 3:19 the minister is required to lead the wicked to good, so in Eze 3:20 he is to confirm the well-disposed in their duty. commit iniquity--that is, give himself up wholly to it (Jo1 3:8-9), for even the best often fall, but not wilfully and habitually. I lay a stumbling-block--not that God tempts to sin (Jam 1:13-14), but God gives men over to judicial blindness, and to their own corruptions (Psa 9:16-17; Psa 94:23)…”

“This passage anticipates the great moral principle of divine government Ezekiel 18:0 that each man is individually responsible for his own actions, and will be judged according to these and these alone. Ezekiel 3:20 I lay a stumblingblock before him - I bring him to trial by placing difficulties and temptations in his way (compare Ezekiel 7:19; Ezekiel 44:12 margin; Ezekiel 14:3-4). It is true that God tempts no man in order to his destruction, but in the course of His Providence He permits men to be tried in order that their faith may be approved, and in this trial some who seem to be righteous fall. Because thou ... his blood ... - So far as the prophet was concerned, the neglect of his…”

“I Lay - Permit it to be laid before him. He shall - Perish in his sin. Remembered - Shall not be profitable to him; "he that apostatizes is the worst of men, because he falls from known ways of goodness and holiness." Ezekiel 3:22”

“3:20-21 The prophet spoke to two classes of people, the righteous and the wicked. Ezekiel was to express his message indiscriminately, for both the righteous and the wicked would be judged on the basis of their response to his words (cp. Matt 13:3-9, 18-23). Those who heeded him would receive life; those who rejected his message would receive death, even if they had previously been righteous. Faith in the Lord’s word through his prophet was the sole criterion that divided those who would live from those who would die.”

“When: Eze 18:24, Eze 18:26, Eze 33:12, Eze 33:13; Ch2 24:2, Ch2 24:17-22; Psa 36:3, Psa 125:5; Zep 1:6; Mat 13:20, Mat 13:21; Heb 10:38; Pe2 2:18-22; Jo1 2:19 righteousness: Heb. righteousnesses, Isa 64:6; Dan 9:18 and I lay: Eze 7:19, Eze 14:3, Eze 14:7-9; Deu 13:3; Psa 119:165 \*marg. Isa 8:14; Jer 6:21; Luk 2:34; Rom 9:32, Rom 9:33, Rom 11:9; Co1 1:23; Th2 2:9-12; Pe1 2:8 because: Eze 3:18; Lev 19:17; Sa2 12:7-13; Ch2 19:2-4, Ch2 25:15; Pro 25:12; Mat 18:15 and his: Eze 18:24, Eze 18:26, Eze 33:12, Eze 33:13; Mat 12:43-45; Luk 8:15; Rom 2:7, Rom 2:8; Heb 10:38; Pe2 2:21 but his: Eze 3:18, Eze 33:6; Heb 13:17 Ezekiel 3:21”