Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Ver. 20. Again, When a righteous man.] So esteemed by others, and haply also by himself; a self-deceiver.
Doth turn from his righteousness.] As he may soon do, where it is but a semblance. Falling stars were never but meteors.
And commit iniquity.] This a righteous man, rightly so called, doth not. John 8:34 1Jn 3:8 See Trapp on " 1Jn 3:8 "
And I lay a stumblingblock before him,] i.e., I cause him to prosper in his sin, saith Vatablus, which is a heavy judgment. Fatted ware is but fitted for the shambles.
Because thou hast not given him warning.] Hast not uncased and unkennelled the hypocrite, driving him out of his starting-holes. a
And his righteousness.] His works that were materially good, but not formally and eventually. Bonum non sit nisi ex integra causa.
Shall not be remembered,] i.e., Reckoned to him he shall not thereby set off with God, or make amends by his good deeds for his bad; nay, his dissembled sanctity shall pass for double iniquity, and he shall be held therefore the worse, because he pretended to be better.
a A hole in which a hunted animal takes refuge; transf. a place in which a criminal or a hunted enemy finds refuge.