Pentecost Season · Proper 21 · Year A
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
The Soul Who Sins Will Die
September 27, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Repent and live!… For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 18:32)
The introductory formula The word of the LORD came to me in 18:1, and the concluding formula declares the Sovereign LORD in 18:32, clearly demarcate the first unit of this section. Unconventional, but equally clear, markers set off the second unit, 19:1–14. In 19:1 the Lord commands the prophet: “Take up a lament concerning the princes of Israel.” The final verse of the chapter repeats this identification: “This is a lament and is to be used as a lament.” The common theme connecting the sermon in chapter 18 and the two laments in chapter 19 is personal accountability. The exile of Ezekiel and his audience, and the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, are due neither to the whim of a capricious God nor to the actions of sinful ancestors. We are responsible, the prophet insists; our actions, and the actions of our leaders, have brought us to this pass.
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Working Preacher: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis on individual responsibility and God's call to live.
Enduring Word: Ezekiel 18 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the chapter.
Coffman's Commentary: Ezekiel 18 StudyLight
Burton Coffman's chapter commentary on the sour-grapes proverb and repentance.
BibleHub: Ezekiel 18:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries on individual accountability for sin.
Background & Word Study
Sefaria: Ezekiel 18 (Hebrew) Sefaria
Hebrew text with English and classical Jewish commentary on the passage.
BibleHub Interlinear: Ezekiel 18:1 BibleHub
Hebrew text with parsing for the proverb and the call to turn and live.
Enter the Bible: Ezekiel Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the prophet Ezekiel and the exile setting.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does Ezekiel 18 teach?
Against the proverb that children suffer for their parents’ sins, Ezekiel insists each person answers for their own life: the wicked who turn will live, and God takes no pleasure in anyone’s death. “Turn, and live.”
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Matthew 21:23-32
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.