Ezekiel 33:13, commentary and pictures

When God has promised life to a righteous person, if that person trusts in his own righteousness and does wrong, none of his former right deeds will be remembered to shield him, but he will die for the wrong he has done. His righteousness will not rescue him on the day he turns to wrongdoing, for present unfaithfulness is not made up for by past obedience, and yesterday's faithfulness cannot cover today's sin. Joined to its counterpart, it shows that when the wicked is told he will die, if he turns from sin and does what is right he will live with none of his sins held against him, so that both together are plain and rich promises made only on conditions that God will surely fulfill for all who meet them. Continued faithfulness therefore decides the outcome, with no unconditional guarantee of life from a former righteous standing, because God judges each person according to his own ways and conduct. The warning was given through Ezekiel as watchman to Israel, and ministers are likewise set as watchmen to warn both the righteous and the wicked, a charge that makes each person personally responsible since no one can obey or answer for another.

Warning and Its Setting

When God has said to the righteous that he shall surely live, if he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his past righteousnesses will be remembered to protect him, but for his iniquity that he has committed he shall die for it. Past righteousness cannot be relied upon while doing evil, and promised life does not secure the one who turns to sin and rests upon his former record. The former righteous acts are not remembered, and the person is held accountable and dies for the sin committed.

The word is part of what God gave to Ezekiel as watchman to the house of Israel, to warn both the righteous and the wicked of their way. God has set ministers as watchmen to bear His word, and those charged with watching over souls must warn people of the consequences of sin and call them to turn from it. The righteousness of the righteous will not deliver him in the day of his transgression, and he cannot live by his past righteousness in the day that he sins.

Joined to its counterpart, the warning shows that when God has said to the wicked that he shall surely die, if he turns from his sin and does what is lawful and right he shall surely live and none of his sins will be mentioned to him. Together they are plain and definite, rich and full promises, but all upon conditions. They are to be placed in memory and set in the framework of faith, to be pointed to when temptation comes to give up all hope, and to be trusted because not one will fail, for all that God has spoken He will do for those who comply with the conditions. Continued faithfulness is therefore consequential, and there is no unconditional guarantee of life or salvation based on a person's former righteous standing regardless of later conduct.

God judges everyone after his ways and according to his conduct, so turning from righteousness to sin brings death. Present unfaithfulness is not atoned for by past obedience. A long record of advocating truth or enduring trials does not earn a reward that excuses neglect now, and yesterday's truthfulness cannot make up for today's falsehood. David's punishment illustrates that God does not excuse wrongdoing because someone was once righteous or favored by Him, and former good deeds will not save the righteous person from judgment for sin.

Accountability and Application

The verse establishes personal responsibility, for no one can obey or answer for another, and the neglect of another does not excuse one's own course. Those who take up preaching yet neglect prayerful searching of the Scriptures and teach error contrary to a plain Thus saith the Lord bring ruin upon themselves. Their condemnation is proportionate to the influence their words and example had in leading others into transgression, for a minister is responsible to help church members obey the Word of the Lord. Ministers who stand in the way of obedience and warn against doing what God has commanded will give strict account for their influence, and those who profess to be on the Lord's side while doing the enemy's work by hindering others from receiving truth will answer for it, with the blood of souls perishing through their unfaithfulness upon their heads.

Those who permit themselves to be deceived are not excused for neglecting to search God's Word for themselves and committing their souls to an unfaithful minister, since the minister cannot pay ransom for their souls. Christ gave His life to save them and to give them another trial to return to loyalty, but those who take Satan's side to justify sin must bear the penalty of sin, and their past standing will not save them. The warning given through the appointed watchman must therefore be respected and the message received, rather than met with evil thinking and evil speaking, faultfinding and accusation against God's messengers, since complaint against His messengers amounts to complaint against God. Warnings and reproof given in love are meant to turn people from danger, and despising them makes the warning ineffective to those who reject it.

The chapter belongs with Christ's commission to serve others, including through medical missionary work. The verse calls for repentance and correction of evil so that a person may live. Applied personally, it is a warning about righteousness and sin that calls for the Holy Spirit to come into the heart and abide there, for Satan to be expelled from the soul temple, and for opening the door of the heart to Jesus to enjoy the richest blessing, with zealous repentance and overcoming.