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.
Original Language Analysis
Ἐάν
If
G1437
Ἐάν
If
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
1 of 31
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ἴδῃ
see
G1492
ἴδῃ
see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 31
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφὸν
brother
G80
ἀδελφὸν
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
5 of 31
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἁμαρτάνουσιν
for them that sin
G264
ἁμαρτάνουσιν
for them that sin
Strong's:
G264
Word #:
7 of 31
properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
9 of 31
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
10 of 31
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
θάνατον·
death
G2288
θάνατον·
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
11 of 31
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δώσει
he shall give
G1325
δώσει
he shall give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
14 of 31
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁμαρτάνουσιν
for them that sin
G264
ἁμαρτάνουσιν
for them that sin
Strong's:
G264
Word #:
18 of 31
properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
19 of 31
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
20 of 31
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
θάνατον·
death
G2288
θάνατον·
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
21 of 31
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
ἔστιν
There is
G2076
ἔστιν
There is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
22 of 31
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
24 of 31
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
θάνατον·
death
G2288
θάνατον·
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
25 of 31
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
οὐ
I do not
G3756
οὐ
I do not
Strong's:
G3756
Word #:
26 of 31
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
περὶ
for
G4012
περὶ
for
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
27 of 31
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ἐκείνης
it
G1565
ἐκείνης
it
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
28 of 31
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
λέγω
say
G3004
λέγω
say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
29 of 31
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Cross References
Jeremiah 11:14Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.1 Samuel 2:25If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.Luke 12:10And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.Jeremiah 7:16Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.Jeremiah 14:11Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.Numbers 15:30But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.Exodus 34:9And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.Genesis 20:7Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.Genesis 20:17So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.Psalms 106:23Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
Historical Context
Old Testament examples of sin leading to death include Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2), Achan (Joshua 7), and Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-7). New Testament examples include Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) and some Corinthian believers dying due to abusing the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:30). These demonstrate that while salvation isn't lost, persistent serious sin can result in God's temporal judgment of physical death.
The distinction between sin leading to death and sin not leading to death shouldn't create categories of small versus big sins—all sin is serious. Rather, it distinguishes between sins committed in weakness or momentary failure (which believers should pray about) versus persistent, unrepentant, willful rebellion that God judges with physical death. The emphasis is on praying for sinning believers while recognizing that extreme cases exist where God's judgment is already determined.
Questions for Reflection
- When you see a fellow believer sin, do you typically pray for them as John commands, or do you gossip, judge, or ignore it?
- How can you distinguish between ordinary sins believers struggle with (pray for) and the 'sin unto death' (which John doesn't command praying for)?
- What does this passage teach about the seriousness of persistent, unrepentant sin even for genuine believers?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. John addresses prayer for sinning believers. "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death" (ean tis idē ton adelphon autou hamartanonta hamartian mē pros thanaton)—observing a fellow believer sinning. "Not unto death" distinguishes this from the "sin unto death" mentioned next. This likely means sins that, while serious, don't result in physical death as divine judgment.
"He shall ask, and he shall give him life" (aitēsei kai dōsei autō zōēn). The believer should pray for the sinning brother, and God will give life. This doesn't mean the pray-er gives life but that God grants life in response to prayer. The prayer restores the sinning believer to spiritual vitality and prevents the sin from leading to death. Intercessory prayer for sinning believers is commanded and effective.
"There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it" (estin hamartia pros thanaton ou peri ekeinēs legō hina erōtēsē). The "sin unto death" is debated—likely persistent, unrepentant rebellion leading to God's temporal judgment of physical death (as in 1 Corinthians 11:30, Acts 5:1-11). John doesn't forbid praying for such cases but doesn't command it, perhaps because God's judgment is already determined. This warns that sin has serious consequences, including possible divine judgment of death, while encouraging prayer for repentant or overtaken brothers.