What is the sin unto death in 1 John 5:16?
The sin unto death is a sin in a believer’s life that causes God to take that believer out of physical life. It involves refusing to forsake a sinful lifestyle, bringing reproach to God’s name. Other believers are never permitted to pray for the erring believer’s death; that is in God’s hands.
Les explains that 1 John 5:16 addresses a believer who refuses to come away from a sinful lifestyle. Even after others deal with them and deal with them, God may suddenly take their physical life—by a heart attack or car accident—lest they keep bringing reproach to His name. This is the sin unto death: a believer can come to the place where God will take his life. John then says, “I do not say that you shall pray for it.” No believer or church body ever has the right to pray for the death of an erring believer; it is never permissible. That is in God’s hands.
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.
More Questions
Do believers who commit the sin unto death lose their salvation?
Believers who commit the kind of deep, open sin that God removes from physical existence by death do not lose their salvation—Scripture says God takes them out of their physical existence, but they are still saved.