John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 3:21

"Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and thou hast delivered thy soul." — Ezekiel 3:21 (ASV)

We saw in our last lecture that the office of pastors is twofold: that they collect the dispersed sheep, and retain within the fold those whom they had gathered together. For as human nature is inclined to many failures, it often happens that those who have been gathered into God’s sheepfold are dispersed here and there, through their own infirmity, unless they are strengthened. For this reason constant admonitions are necessary; and therefore God asserts that those pastors will be guilty, if through their negligence the righteous fall away.

He now pursues the same sentiment, but adds another clause — but if the righteous is admonished the shepherd is guiltless. The whole meaning is this: because Ezekiel had been called to the office of teaching, he ought to be intent on recalling to the way those who have erred, and also on retaining others. Meanwhile, we must observe that those who seem to have entered on the right way are daily subject to error, unless God retains them by his servants, and urges them to go forward.