1 John 5:16

Context

The verse appears in the closing section of 1 John (5:13–21), a letter traditionally attributed to the apostle John. The author first states that he has written so that his readers may know that they have eternal life (5:13). He then expresses confidence that God hears whatever is asked according to His will (5:14–15). As a concrete example of such prayer, he points to intercessory prayer (prayer offered on behalf of others) for a brother who is sinning, that is, a member of the same community of faith. In verse 17 he adds, "All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death." Underlying the entire letter is a warning against those who left the community and denied that Jesus came in the flesh (2:19; 4:2–3).

Interpretation

Because the text does not specify what the "sin unto death" is, several readings have emerged.

• Apostasy: Many Protestant interpreters, including commentators in the Reformed tradition, read the phrase in light of the letter's context as referring to apostasy (the abandonment of faith): knowing Christ yet ultimately denying Him and leaving the community. Some read it alongside blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:28–30) or willful sin (Hebrews 10:26).
• Physical death: Some interpreters take "death" to mean physical death suffered as divine discipline, citing the account of Ananias and Sapphira or 1 Corinthians 11:30 as examples.
• Old Testament background: Some scholars see as background the Law's distinction between sins committed in ignorance and sins committed presumptuously (Numbers 15:27–31).
• Catholic reading: The Catechism of the Catholic Church cites this verse as evidence that the distinction between mortal sin (grave sin that causes the loss of grace) and venial sin (lesser sin) already appears in Scripture.

The subject of "he shall give him life" is usually understood to be God. Some note, however, that the grammar of the original text also allows the one who prays to be read as the subject.

Debates and Issues

• Is prayer forbidden? Many interpreters read "I do not say that he shall pray for it" not as a command forbidding prayer but as meaning that the author does not urge his readers to pray with confidence in such a case. Others note that, since it is difficult for human beings to judge who has committed this sin, the verse should not be applied rashly to particular individuals.
• Can a "brother" commit this sin? Calvinists, who hold to the perseverance of the saints (the doctrine that true believers are preserved to the end), tend to argue on the basis of 2:19 that such people were never true believers in the first place. The Arminian and Wesleyan traditions tend to connect the verse with the view that even true believers can ultimately abandon the faith.
• Degrees of sin: Protestant denominations generally do not accept the Catholic system of mortal and venial sins, and they tend to be cautious about deriving a specific list of sins from this verse.

Related Passages

• 1 John 5:14–15
• 1 John 2:19
• Mark 3:28–30
• Hebrews 10:26–31
• James 5:16–18