1 John 5:17 Meaning and Explanation
“All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that is not unto death.
What Does 1 John 5:17 Mean?
John clarifies the nature of sin. All unrighteousness is sin, yet not all sin is the same in its outcome. There is a sin not unto death, for which restoration may be sought.
While every wrong is truly sin, John reassures his readers that much sin does not lead to spiritual death and can be met with forgiveness and renewed life. This guards against both carelessness and despair. Sin is never to be excused, yet most failures are not beyond the reach of grace and prayer. John holds together the seriousness of all unrighteousness with the hope that for the repentant there is mercy, life, and the way back to God.
1 John 5:17 in the Original Language
adikia (ἀδικία), 'unrighteousness' -- wrongdoing and injustice, here affirmed to be sin in every form.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 John 5:17
What does 1 John 5:17 mean?
All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that is not unto death.