1 John 5:17
Verse
Context
Effective Prayer
16If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.17All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that does not lead to death.
Sermons
Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
All unrighteousness is sin - Πασα αδικια, Every act contrary to justice is sin - is a transgression of the law which condemns all injustice.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
"Every unrighteousness (even that of believers, compare Jo1 1:9; Jo1 3:4. Every coming short of right) is sin"; (but) not every sin is the sin unto death. and there is a sin not unto death--in the case of which, therefore, believers may intercede. Death and life stand in correlative opposition (Jo1 5:11-13). The sin unto death must be one tending "towards" (so the Greek), and so resulting in, death. ALFORD makes it to be an appreciable ACT of sin, namely, the denying Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God (in contrast to confess this truth, Jo1 5:1, Jo1 5:5), Jo1 2:19, Jo1 2:22; Jo1 4:2-3; Jo1 5:10. Such wilful deniers of Christ are not to be received into one's house, or wished "God speed." Still, I think with BENGEL, not merely the act, but also the state of apostasy accompanying the act, is included--a "state of soul in which faith, love, and hope, in short, the new life, is extinguished. The chief commandment is faith and love. Therefore, the chief sin is that by which faith and love are destroyed. In the former case is life; in the latter, death. As long as it is not evident (see on Jo1 5:16, on 'see') that it is a sin unto death, it is lawful to pray. But when it is deliberate rejection of grace, and the man puts from him life thereby, how can others procure for him life?" Contrast Jam 5:14-18. Compare Mat 12:31-32 as to the wilful rejection of Christ, and resistance to the Holy Ghost's plain testimony to Him as the divine Messiah. Jesus, on the cross, pleaded only for those who KNEW NOT what they were doing in crucifying Him, not for those wilfully resisting grace and knowledge. If we pray for the impenitent, it must be with humble reference of the matter to God's will, not with the intercessory request which we should offer for a brother when erring.
John Gill Bible Commentary
All unrighteousness is sin,.... All unrighteousness against God or man is a sin against the law of God, and the wrath of God is revealed against it, and it is deserving of death; yet all unrighteousness is not unto death, as the sins of David, which were unrighteousness both to God and man, and yet they were put away, and he died not; Peter sinned very foully, and did great injustice to his dear Lord, and yet his sin was not unto death; he had repentance unto life given him, and a fresh application of pardoning grace: and there is a sin not unto death; this is added for the relief of weak believers, who hearing of a sin unto death, not to be prayed for, might fear that theirs were of that kind, whereas none of them are; for though they are guilty of many unrighteousnesses, yet God is merciful to them and forgives, Heb 8:12, and so they are not unto death.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
5:17 not every sin leads to death: Those sins that do not involve ultimate apostasy can end in repentance and restoration (see Jas 5:20).
1 John 5:17
Effective Prayer
16If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.17All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that does not lead to death.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Life of Faith Pt2
By Phil Beach Jr.2341:19Spiritual WarfareFaithThe Importance of Faith1JN 5:17Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the ongoing spiritual warfare that believers face, highlighting the importance of faith in overcoming the attacks of the wicked one. He draws parallels between the deception of Eve in the Garden of Eden and the modern-day challenges Christians encounter, urging them to recognize the subtle ways in which the enemy seeks to undermine their faith. The preacher stresses that genuine faith must be active and reflected in one's actions, warning against complacency and the dangers of living in contradiction to God's Word. Ultimately, he calls for a deepening of faith, encouraging believers to trust in God's authority and to resist the temptations that lead to spiritual decline.
A Startling Statement
By J. Wilbur Chapman0DEU 5:9PSA 90:8PRO 11:21JER 30:11EZK 18:4ROM 14:23GAL 6:7JAS 1:151JN 3:41JN 5:17J. Wilbur Chapman preaches on the consequences of sin, emphasizing that the wicked shall not go unpunished, as seen in various Bible passages. He highlights the certainty of reaping what one sows, the inescapable nature of God's judgment, and the impact of sin on individuals and generations. Chapman stresses the importance of understanding sin to grasp the need for atonement and forgiveness, pointing out that sin separates us from God, each other, and pollutes us. He presents the contrasting ways of man's futile attempts at reformation and God's offer of cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ, illustrating the hope and mercy available despite the consequences of sin.
1 John 5:17
By John Gill0God's MercySin and ForgivenessPSA 51:1LUK 22:32ROM 6:23HEB 8:121JN 5:17John Gill emphasizes that all unrighteousness is sin, which incurs God's wrath and is deserving of death. However, he reassures believers that not all unrighteousness leads to death, citing examples like David and Peter, whose sins were grave yet forgiven through repentance and God's grace. This message serves to comfort weak believers who may fear their sins are unforgivable, reminding them of God's mercy and the promise of forgiveness for those who repent.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
All unrighteousness is sin - Πασα αδικια, Every act contrary to justice is sin - is a transgression of the law which condemns all injustice.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
"Every unrighteousness (even that of believers, compare Jo1 1:9; Jo1 3:4. Every coming short of right) is sin"; (but) not every sin is the sin unto death. and there is a sin not unto death--in the case of which, therefore, believers may intercede. Death and life stand in correlative opposition (Jo1 5:11-13). The sin unto death must be one tending "towards" (so the Greek), and so resulting in, death. ALFORD makes it to be an appreciable ACT of sin, namely, the denying Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God (in contrast to confess this truth, Jo1 5:1, Jo1 5:5), Jo1 2:19, Jo1 2:22; Jo1 4:2-3; Jo1 5:10. Such wilful deniers of Christ are not to be received into one's house, or wished "God speed." Still, I think with BENGEL, not merely the act, but also the state of apostasy accompanying the act, is included--a "state of soul in which faith, love, and hope, in short, the new life, is extinguished. The chief commandment is faith and love. Therefore, the chief sin is that by which faith and love are destroyed. In the former case is life; in the latter, death. As long as it is not evident (see on Jo1 5:16, on 'see') that it is a sin unto death, it is lawful to pray. But when it is deliberate rejection of grace, and the man puts from him life thereby, how can others procure for him life?" Contrast Jam 5:14-18. Compare Mat 12:31-32 as to the wilful rejection of Christ, and resistance to the Holy Ghost's plain testimony to Him as the divine Messiah. Jesus, on the cross, pleaded only for those who KNEW NOT what they were doing in crucifying Him, not for those wilfully resisting grace and knowledge. If we pray for the impenitent, it must be with humble reference of the matter to God's will, not with the intercessory request which we should offer for a brother when erring.
John Gill Bible Commentary
All unrighteousness is sin,.... All unrighteousness against God or man is a sin against the law of God, and the wrath of God is revealed against it, and it is deserving of death; yet all unrighteousness is not unto death, as the sins of David, which were unrighteousness both to God and man, and yet they were put away, and he died not; Peter sinned very foully, and did great injustice to his dear Lord, and yet his sin was not unto death; he had repentance unto life given him, and a fresh application of pardoning grace: and there is a sin not unto death; this is added for the relief of weak believers, who hearing of a sin unto death, not to be prayed for, might fear that theirs were of that kind, whereas none of them are; for though they are guilty of many unrighteousnesses, yet God is merciful to them and forgives, Heb 8:12, and so they are not unto death.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
5:17 not every sin leads to death: Those sins that do not involve ultimate apostasy can end in repentance and restoration (see Jas 5:20).