Ezekiel 18

3 ye shall not have [occasion] any more, etc. This does not indicate any change in God’s government, but only that He will make it clear that every individual is held responsible for his own conduct.

4 the soul of the son is Mine. Although children are often implicated in the temporal consequences of the sins of their parents, no one will be condemned hereafter for any but his own sins. Skinner rightly calls attention to the distinction between national and individual retribution.

6 hath not eaten, etc. At idol feasts.

8 usury. Interest of money. “Increase,” payment for the loan of goods. The Israelites, as brethren, were to help one another without expectation of gain; but they might take usury of foreigners: see Lev. xxv. 36; Deut. xxiii. 19, 20. “The placing out of capital at interest for commercial purposes is not taken into consideration at all. The case is that of money lent to a brother in distress, in which no advantage is to be taken, nor profit required” (Currey in Speaker’s Commentary).

16 hath not withholden the pledge. Rather, as R.V., “hath not taken ought to pledge.”

19. Why? doth not the son, etc. Punctuate, “Why doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father?” see R.V.

24. All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned. Rather, as R.V., “None of his righteous deeds (righteousnesses) that he hath done shall be remembered.” It is wrong, therefore, to found any judgement as to our character before God on our past experiences, when these are not in harmony with our present conduct.

31 make you a new heart and a new spirit. Although it is God who works in us to will and to do what is good, and is the first mover in our regeneration; we must yet work together with Him, not resisting the influences of His Spirit, nor receiving His grace in vain.