Ezekiel 18:27 - Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he will save his soul alive.

Generated Verse: Ezekiel 18:27

What does "Ezekiel 18:27" mean?


Ezekiel 18:27 is a core verse in the chapter dealing with individual responsibility and God's willingness to forgive. Let's break down what it means:

"Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed..." This highlights the crucial element of repentance. It's not enough to simply feel bad or acknowledge wrongdoing. It involves actively turning away from the wicked behavior, ceasing to engage in those actions. "Wickedness" encompasses all actions that violate God's commands and harm others.

"...and does that which is lawful and right..." Repentance isn't just about stopping bad behavior; it's also about actively pursuing righteousness. "Lawful and right" refers to behavior that aligns with God's will and promotes justice, fairness, and love. It's about living in obedience to God's commands and treating others with respect and compassion.

"...he will save his soul alive." This is the promise of salvation and spiritual life. "Save his soul alive" means avoiding spiritual death (separation from God) and gaining eternal life in God's presence. It's a promise of restoration, forgiveness, and renewed relationship with God.

In essence, the verse conveys these key principles:

Individual Responsibility: Each person is accountable for their own actions and choices.
Repentance and Conversion: Turning away from wickedness and embracing righteousness is essential for spiritual life.
God's Forgiveness and Grace: God is willing to forgive those who genuinely repent and turn to Him.
Salvation through Righteous Living: Living a righteous life, guided by God's principles, leads to spiritual life and salvation.

Important Considerations:

Context is key: This verse is part of a larger argument in Ezekiel 18, which emphasizes that God judges individuals based on their own actions, not solely on the sins of their ancestors.
Not works-based salvation: This verse doesn't mean that salvation is earned through good works alone. Rather, good works are the evidence of genuine repentance and a transformed heart. True repentance results in a changed life.
Emphasis on transformation: The verse stresses the importance of a complete transformation, from wickedness to righteousness.

In conclusion, Ezekiel 18:27 offers a message of hope and redemption. It emphasizes that no matter how wicked someone has been, God is always willing to forgive and offer a new beginning to those who genuinely repent and turn to Him. This requires both turning away from sin and embracing a life of righteousness.