Bible Strands
1 John 5:17
All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that does not lead to death.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The apostle John addresses a Christian community, clarifying the nature of sin in direct response to his previous instruction about praying for a brother committing a non-fatal sin.
The words — πᾶσα (pasa) = all, and ἁμαρτία (hamartia) = sin. The text literally declares that every instance of unrighteousness falls under the category of sin, while distinguishing a subset that does not result in death.
The thread — This distinction connects to 1 John 3:4, which defines sin as lawlessness, and James 1:15, which traces sin’s progression to death. Ezekiel 18:26 further illustrates the consequence of a righteous person turning to iniquity.
Why it lands — The verse demands precise categorization of sin rather than vague condemnation, requiring the reader to recognize that not all transgressions carry identical spiritual outcomes. It instructs believers to respond to specific sins with targeted prayer while acknowledging God’s sovereign boundary over fatal rebellion.
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
All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Cross-references
- 1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.
- James 1:15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
- Ezekiel 18:26 If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, he will die for this. He will die because of the iniquity he has committed.
- 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.
- James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- Deuteronomy 12:32 See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.
- Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.
- 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
- Deuteronomy 5:32 So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left.
- Romans 5:20 The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,