The Church Fathers on this verse

Ezekiel 3:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But if thou warn the just man, that the just may not sin, and he doth not sin: living he shall live, because thou hast warned him, and thou hast delivered thy soul.

Douay-Rheims

וְאַתָּ֞ה כִּ֧י הִזְהַרְתּ֣וֹ צַדִּ֗יק לְבִלְתִּ֥י חֲטֹ֛א צַדִּ֖יק וְה֣וּא לֹא־חָטָ֑א חָי֤וֹ יִֽחְיֶה֙ כִּ֣י נִזְהָ֔ר וְאַתָּ֖ה אֶֽת־נַפְשְׁךָ֥ הִצַּֽלְתָּ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

You will receive two lives, one for yourself and one for him. Through your guidance, he will evade the depths of destruction and reach a conclusion that befits the journey of the righteous. In this way, you will be relieved of burden and avoid the most profound peril by tending to your neighbor's redemption. This should motivate us to be diligent and inspire us to care deeply for our fellow believers, never ceasing our efforts to speak and act for their good. Through such actions, we may flee the impending judgment and attain the promised salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord. To him be glory alongside the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.