What is the Sin unto Death?
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In 1 John 5:16 we read, “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.” The ASV translates the last part of this verse as follows: “There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request.”
Unlike English, the Greek language lacks an indefinite article. In English, the indefinite article is the word “a” or “an.” When an indefinite article is expected, the syntax of the Greek sentence gives the noun itself without the definite article. The translator must decide whether to supply the English indefinite article or to leave it out depending upon the context. In 1 John 5:16, it makes better sense to me as a translator to leave the definite article out so that the sentence would read: “There is sin unto death.” This has the force of removing the idea that there is some particular sin that is unto death. In other words, there is no particular sin unto death; in other words, this is just a case where someone commits sin, and that sin leads to death. Additionally, John uses the Greek word “PROS” in this verse, which is translated “unto” in the King James Version. A better translation for this preposition would be “toward.” That would help us to understand this statement even better. “There is sin toward death.” In other words, if one continues in one’s sin, eventually that will lead to one’s spiritual death.
John is speaking to those who are Christians. He says, “If any man see his brother sin….” What kind of sin could a Christian commit that would lead to death? James says in James 1:14, 15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” According to James, any temptation can lead to sin and death. So, how do we avoid sinning toward death? John gives the answer in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The sin that leads toward death is the unrepented and unconfessed sin. This follows naturally with the next thought, the sin that is not toward death. It is the sin for which one has repented and confessed. For this sin, we can pray for our brethren, and God will forgive.
John also says, “I do not say that he shall pray for it.” Are there some for whom we should not pray? One may pray for anyone, but that does not mean God may do anything directly about it if the person is unwilling to repent. God is not going to force someone to do His will without their consent. He will always respect a person’s decision to do either right or wrong. If a person chooses to do wrong, God will allow it to happen with the understanding that they will one day be judged for it. These wrong impenitent choices are the ones John was referring to. We would not have anyone come to the gospel without their consent. We would not pray that God force someone to become a Christian against their will. Not praying for someone has precedent in the scripture. God told Jeremiah three times not to pray for the children of Israel in Jeremiah 7:16, 11:14, and 14:11. He said, “Therefore 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 prayed a lot, but at some point, God told him to stop. Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10). It is certainly God’s will that a sinner repent of his own free will. The sin unto death can be any sin for which one does not repent and confess.