John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 18:26-28

"When the righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth therein; in his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die." — Ezekiel 18:26-28 (ASV)

The Prophet repeats what we previously saw: namely, that the issue hinged on this—whether the people had any cause for complaint when God absolves those who repent and condemns the righteous who abandon a pious and holy life. Now, we must always return to this central point: God rewards everyone according to their works, since He offers mercy to all the lost and demands nothing else but a sincere and heartfelt return to Him.

Since, then, God treats the ungodly with such mercy and is so ready to pardon them, why do people contend with Him? If the righteous person should retrace his steps and, after showing some signs of the fear of God, throw off all obedience, who can object when God punishes him and blots out the remembrance of his former righteousness?

God, therefore, judges fairly in each case. We have explained how the phrase the righteous should turn aside from their righteousness should be understood: not that the elect ever utterly fall away, as many think—meaning their faith is extinguished and every root of piety also in the sons of God. That is too absurd because, as I have said, the gift of regeneration always has perseverance joined to it. But here, the righteousness that humankind recognizes is intended.

But we know how frequently it happens that what seemed entirely pure and perfect is lacking. Now, God declares that He will punish all who fall away from Him and will be accessible and gracious to wretched sinners who desire to be reconciled to Him. And He repeats again, if the wicked have seen and turned away from his wickedness.

We must note this phrase, for it shows that thinking rightly is the beginning of repentance. For although the reprobate knowingly and willingly transgress God’s law, it is certain that they suffer from such blindness and madness that Scripture does not call them foolish and out of their minds in vain.

The Prophet does not lessen their faults, as if they sinned in ignorance. Instead, he means that they were so blinded by demonic madness that they think of nothing. For surely, horror would immediately possess their minds if they only perceived God to be their adversary and themselves to be making war with Him. For this reason, therefore, when the Prophet describes to us the conversion of the wicked, he says, if he has seen; that is, if at last he has returned to a sound mind and come to his senses, so that he may not rush on madly as he was accustomed to do, but may look upon both God and himself.