Ezekiel 3:21

21 But if you do warn the righteous not to sin, and they don't sin, they will be declared righteous. Their lives will be preserved because they heeded the warning, and you will save your life.

Ezekiel 3:21 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 3:21

Nevertheless, if thou warn the righteous [man]
Every righteous man, that is so in a judgment of charity, whether truly righteous or not, which the event shows; who should be warned not to trust in their own righteousness, but to depend on the righteousness of Christ; that they be careful to maintain good works, to avoid sin, and live holy lives and conversations, as follows: that the righteous sin not;
not that there is any just man that does good, and sins not; the best of men are often sinning in thought, word, or deed; but he is to be warned that he does not continue in sin, and lead a sinful coups of life; which is contrary to his character, and to his faith in Christ for righteousness, which is attended with good works: and he doth not sin;
the warning and exhortation given him having so good an effect, through the power of divine grace, as to be a means of preserving him from a vain conversation: he shall surely live;
spiritually and comfortably now, and eternally hereafter: because he is warned;
that being a means, and with the divine blessing taking effect: also thou hast delivered thy soul; (See Gill on Ezekiel 3:19).

Ezekiel 3:21 In-Context

19 If you do warn the wicked and they don't turn from their wickedness or their wicked ways, they will die because of their guilt, but you will save your life.
20 Or suppose righteous people turn away from doing the right thing. If they act dishonestly, and I make them stumble because of it, they will die because you didn't warn them of their sin. Their righteous deeds won't be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their deaths.
21 But if you do warn the righteous not to sin, and they don't sin, they will be declared righteous. Their lives will be preserved because they heeded the warning, and you will save your life.
22 The LORD's power overcame me, and he said to me: Get up! Go out to the valley, and I'll speak to you there.
23 So I got up and went out to the valley. Suddenly, the LORD's glory stood there, like the glory that I had seen at the Chebar River, and I fell on my face.
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