1 John 5:16

Analysis

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.

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.

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?