1 John 5:16 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →John urges prayer for a brother sinning a sin not unto death, distinguishing it from a sin that leads to death.
What Does 1 John 5:16 Mean?
John applies confident prayer to a brother's need. If anyone sees his brother sin a sin not unto death, he should ask, and God will give him life. But there is a sin unto death, and for that John does not urge prayer in the same way.
Here is the work of intercession: to pray for a struggling brother, that God would grant him life and restoration. John encourages this loving labor for those whose sin has not hardened into final rejection of Christ. He distinguishes a graver path, sin that sets itself against the very life God offers. Without resolving every question, John calls his readers to pray earnestly for one another's spiritual life and recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 John 5:16
What does 1 John 5:16 mean?
John urges prayer for a brother sinning a sin not unto death, distinguishing it from a sin that leads to death.