Because some sin does not lead to premature physical death, we should pray for our brethren when they sin (cf. 1 John 1:9). Prayer for a sinning Christian is a concrete demonstration of love for that brother or sister ( 1 John 3:23). [source][source][source]
These verses are not distinguishing between mortal (unpardonable) and venial (pardonable) sins, as Roman Catholic theology uses these terms. [source][source][source]
"So long as a man in his heart of hearts hates sin and hates himself for sinning, so long as he knows that he is sinning, he is never beyond repentance, and, therefore, never beyond forgiveness; but once a man begins to revel in sin, and to make sin the deliberate policy of his life, and loses all sense of the terror and the awfulness of sin and also the feeling of self-disgust, he is on the way to death, for he is on the way to a state where the idea of repentance will not, and cannot, enter his head." [1][source]
Spiritual death is in view.Physical death is in view.The offender is a brother.The offender is a brother.The sin not unto death = any sin other than unbelief in ChristThe sin not unto death = any sin that does not shorten one"s lifeGod will grant spiritual life to the guilty in answer to prayer. (Prayer is never a guarantee of eternal life.)God will grant extended physical life to the guilty in answer to prayer. (God did this for King Hezekiah; cf. James 5:15.)The sin unto death = unbeliefThe sin unto death = serious sin that shortens physical lifeJohn did not commend prayer for the person who commits the sin of unbelief. (One would think that he would commend it; cf. Romans 10:1.)John did not commend prayer for the person who commits sin that shortens physical life. (Evidently he believed such praying would be useless; cf Jeremiah 7:16.)[source]
We should demonstrate concern about the obedience of others as well as our own obedience. When we become truly concerned about our obedience we will become concerned about the obedience of our brethren. God gives us eternal life, but we can give physical life to others in some situations as we ask God in prayer to be merciful to them. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
1 John 5:13-21 - Ask According To His Will
We know that we have eternal life. The rope is in our hand bearing us onward, but its ends are hidden from view in the past and in the future. We also know that God hears us when we comply with the conditions of true prayer. We know, moreover, that we can become the medium through which the life of God passes to others. Thus the humblest child may have power with God and man.
The Only-Begotten keeps the begotten. Evil can no more touch them than blight could reach the bush in the wilderness that was bathed in the celestial fire. Who would go back to the world? Enumerate and press to heart these four items of positive knowledge; but beware lest what is legitimate and natural in itself may become an idol. Love, knowledge, abiding, conquering-these are the keynotes of this wonderful letter. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 John 5
1He who loves God loves his children, and keeps his commandments; 3which to the faithful are not grievous 9Jesus is the Son of God; 14and able to hear our prayers
Greek Commentary for 1 John 5:17
All unrighteousness is sin [πασα αδικια αμαρτια εστιν] Unrighteousness is one manifestation of sin as lawlessness (1 John 3:4) is another (Brooke). The world today takes sin too lightly, even jokingly as a mere animal inheritance. Sin is a terrible reality, but there is no cause for despair. Sin not unto death can be overcome in Christ. [source]
Unrighteousness [ἀδικία] This is the character of every offense against that which is right. Every breach of duty is a manifestation of sin. Compare 1 John 3:4, where sin is defined as ἀνομία lawlessnessand lawlessness as sin. See Romans 6:13. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 John 5:17
Hebrews 8:12Their sins and their iniquities [τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν] Omit and their iniquities. For ἁμαρτία sinsee on Matthew 1:21; and for both ἀδικία and ἁμαρτία , see on 1 John 1:9. Comp. 1 John 5:17. [source]
1 John 5:16Not unto death [μὴ πρὸς θάνατον] Describing the nature of the sin. The preposition unto, signifies tendency toward, not necessarily involving death. See on 1 John 5:17. [source]
1 John 1:9Unrighteousness [ἀδικίας] With reference to δίκαιος righteousThe righteous One who calls us into fellowship with Himself, purges away the unrighteousness which is contrary to His nature, and which renders fellowship impossible. The word occurs in John's writings only at John 7:18; 1 John 5:17. [source]
1 John 1:5This then is [καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν] Rev., correctly and literally, and this. According to the proper reading the verb stands first in order ( ἐστὶν αὕτη ), with emphasis, not merely as a copula, but in the sense “there exists this as the message.” For a similar use of the substantive verb, see 1 John 5:16,1 John 5:17; 1 John 2:15; John 8:50. [source]
Greek Commentary for 1 John 5:17
Unrighteousness is one manifestation of sin as lawlessness (1 John 3:4) is another (Brooke). The world today takes sin too lightly, even jokingly as a mere animal inheritance. Sin is a terrible reality, but there is no cause for despair. Sin not unto death can be overcome in Christ. [source]
This is the character of every offense against that which is right. Every breach of duty is a manifestation of sin. Compare 1 John 3:4, where sin is defined as ἀνομία lawlessnessand lawlessness as sin. See Romans 6:13. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 John 5:17
Omit and their iniquities. For ἁμαρτία sinsee on Matthew 1:21; and for both ἀδικία and ἁμαρτία , see on 1 John 1:9. Comp. 1 John 5:17. [source]
Describing the nature of the sin. The preposition unto, signifies tendency toward, not necessarily involving death. See on 1 John 5:17. [source]
With reference to δίκαιος righteousThe righteous One who calls us into fellowship with Himself, purges away the unrighteousness which is contrary to His nature, and which renders fellowship impossible. The word occurs in John's writings only at John 7:18; 1 John 5:17. [source]
Rev., correctly and literally, and this. According to the proper reading the verb stands first in order ( ἐστὶν αὕτη ), with emphasis, not merely as a copula, but in the sense “there exists this as the message.” For a similar use of the substantive verb, see 1 John 5:16, 1 John 5:17; 1 John 2:15; John 8:50. [source]