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SUBJECT: Sin---1 John 5:16
QUESTION: What is this verse saying? I thought all
sin was unto death.
ANSWER
Let us take a look at this verse:
1 John 5:16
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto
death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them
that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not
say that he shall pray for it.
You are asking how this verse compares to this one:
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
There are two broad types of sin. The first type is that
which is "not unto death." This is any sin which is repented
of. James, in writing of the effectiveness of prayer (James
5:17-18), explains that "if any of you do err from the
truth, and one convert him [cause
him to repent]; Let him know, that he which
converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a
soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James
5:19-20).
James 5:19-20
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one
convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from
the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall
hide a multitude of sins.
The second type of sin which John referred to is a "sin unto
death". John tells us not to pray on behalf of someone who
has committed this kind of sin, because it cannot be
forgiven. This is the unpardonable sin.
So, to restate, John is saying that if a member of the
church sees another member of the church sin and it is not:
1) Willful sin (defined as
absolute defiance to God knowing fully what the truth is)
2) Unpardonable sin (defined
as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit which is also absolute
defiance before God)
...then he shall pray to God for this person and also talk
to the person and encourage them to repent of the sin. If
the sin was Willful sin or the Unpardonable sin, then he or
she is to do nothing for there is no prayer or repentance
for these sins. |