Bible Strands
Ezekiel 33:13
If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but he then trusts in his righteousness and commits iniquity, then none of his righteous works will be remembered; he will die because of the iniquity he has committed.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God speaks through Ezekiel to the exiled community, addressing individuals who have shifted from righteous conduct to active rebellion. The prophet delivers this warning to a people who had previously assumed collective punishment would shield them from individual accountability.
The words — The Hebrew בָטַח (va.Tach) means "he relies," coupled with עַל־צִדְקָתוֹ ('al-tsidqato) for "on his righteousness." This construction highlights the presumption of self-security.
The thread — The text states that prior righteous works are nullified when a person turns to iniquity, a pattern repeated in Ezekiel 18:24 and echoed in Hebrews 10:38 regarding the danger of shrinking back from faith. Ezekiel 18:4 establishes the underlying principle that each soul bears direct responsibility before God.
Why it lands — The verse declares that reliance on past moral standing cannot override present rebellion, demanding immediate repentance rather than complacent self-assurance. It requires readers to evaluate their current obedience instead of banking on previous spiritual achievements.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 18:24 But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.
- Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
- Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
- Ezekiel 3:20 Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood.
- Luke 18:9 To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable:
- Romans 10:3 Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
- Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.
- 2 Peter 2:20 If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.
- 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.