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.
Israel complains that their sins weigh them down and they are wasting away, but they twist God's conditional promise into a mockery, as if He had set life out of reach on purpose. They pervert the prophet's word, turning what was meant to drive them to repentance into an excuse for despair. Thus corrupt minds pick quarrels with God's mercy itself.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 33:10-20
Again, when I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die,.... That is, provided he continues in the same course of life, impenitent and unbelieving: but if he turn from his sin; repent of it, and forsake it: and do that which is lawful and right; or "judgment and justice"; do that which is agreeably to the law of God, and what is right between...
If he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity - If he trust in his acting according to the statutes and ordinances of religion, and according to the laws relative to rights and wrongs among men, and in other respects commit iniquity, he shall die for it.