1 John 5:16

If 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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — An anonymous author writes to a community in the midst of a schism, having just affirmed (v. 15) that God hears their prayers. He now draws a boundary: some sins fall within the scope of intercession, others do not.

The words — ἁμαρτάνοντα (hamartanonta) is a present participle meaning "sinning" (ongoing action), while ἁμαρτίαν (hamartian) is the noun "a sin" (the concrete act). The distinction separates the person caught in the act from the category of sin itself.

The thread — 1 Samuel 2:25 distinguishes sin against a man (intercedable) from sin against the LORD (not intercedable); Jeremiah 11:14 commands the prophet to stop praying for a people God has already judged; Hebrews 6:4 describes a state from which renewal to repentance is impossible.

Why it lands — It places a discernment burden on the reader: you are expected to distinguish between a brother who is sinning and a sin that is beyond prayer, and to act accordingly. The cost of misreading is either wasted prayer or withheld help.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Hebrews 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
1 Samuel 2:25 If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.
Jeremiah 11:14 As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not raise up a cry or a prayer on their behalf, for I will not be listening when they call out to Me in their time of disaster.
Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,
Mark 3:28 Truly I tell you, the sons of men will be forgiven all sins and blasphemies, as many as they utter.
Luke 12:10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
Matthew 12:31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
2 Peter 2:20 If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.
Jeremiah 7:16 As for you, do not pray for these people, do not offer a plea or petition on their behalf, and do not beg Me, for I will not listen to you.
Jeremiah 14:11 Then the LORD said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people.