1 John 5:17

17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin that does not bring death.

1 John 5:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 John 5:17

All unrighteousness is sin
All unrighteousness against God or man is a sin against the law of God, and the wrath of God is revealed against it, and it is deserving of death; yet all unrighteousness is not unto death, as the sins of David, which were unrighteousness both to God and man, and yet they were put away, and he died not; Peter sinned very foully, and did great injustice to his dear Lord, and yet his sin was not unto death; he had repentance unto life given him, and a fresh application of pardoning grace:

and there is a sin not unto death;
this is added for the relief of weak believers, who hearing of a sin unto death, not to be prayed for, might fear that theirs were of that kind, whereas none of them are; for though they are guilty of many unrighteousnesses, yet God is merciful to them and forgives, ( Hebrews 8:12 ) , and so they are not unto death.

1 John 5:17 In-Context

15 And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.

16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not bring death, he should ask, and God will give life to him-to those who commit sin that doesn't bring death. There is sin that brings death. I am not saying he should pray about that.

17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin that does not bring death.

18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin, but the One who is born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.

19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.