Now suppose that man has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these things,
He has oppressed the poor and needy: he had simply said, He has oppressed a man; but now to make the greatness of the crime appear, he speaks of the poor and needy: for cruelty in oppressing them is less tolerable.
God, by the prophet, having laid down the general rule of judgment, that he will render eternal life to those that patiently continue in well-doing, but indignation and wrath to those that do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness (Rom 2:7, Rom 2:8), comes, in these verses, to show that men's parentage and relation shall not alter the case either one way or other. I.
Commenting on Ezekiel 18:10-20
Hath oppressed the poor and needy,.... Who are weak, and have none to help them, and stand by them, and so are oppressed by such a man. This serves to explain the clause, in Eze 18:7; hath spoiled by violence; his neighbour's goods; taken them away from him by force: hath not restored the pledge; to the borrower before sunset, but kept it for his...