The Sin unto Death

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. - 1 John 5:16

    John has been writing about prayer and encouraging believers to pray with confidence that God will hear us and grant those petitions that are according to his will. Those who have an interest at the throne of grace should make use of it for others, especially for weaker brothers and those overtaken with sin. We are encouraged to pray for the lost, to pray that God will save them (Rom. 10:1). But this verse is not concerning the lost but says if a brother (a born-again member of the Church) is observed to sin (as the best of men do in word, though, and deed) or falls into sin, we are to pray for him! God will hear and give the brother life, by which may be meant comfort, peace, and causing him to live cheerfully and not be swallowed up with sorrow and despair. Of course, the brother does not continue in the sin; he has a sense of it, a sorrow for it, is ashamed of it, and forsakes it.

    But “There is a sin unto death,” which is not only deserving of death, as all sin is, but which shall certainly lead to death for all who commit it, without exception. John Gill says, “This sin unto death is the sin against the Holy Spirit; it is sinning willfully, not in a practical, but a doctrinal way, by denying the truth of the gospel of Christ.” John Calvin says, “This sin unto death is not a partial fall nor a transgression of a single commandment, but apostasy, by which men alienate themselves from, and surrender themselves to, Satan. We ought not rashly conclude that any professed believer has apostatized; love should make us believe the best; but, if one has departed, let us not contend with the justice of God nor seek to be more merciful than he is!”

    We are not urged to pray for apostates.