1 John 5:17

17 Each wickedness is sin, and there is [a] sin to 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 we know, that he heareth us, whatever thing we ask; we know, that we have the askings, that we ask of him [which we ask of him].

16 He that knoweth that his brother sinneth a sin not to death [He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin not to death], ask he, and life shall be given to him that sinneth not to death. There is a sin to death; not for it I say, that any man pray.

17 Each wickedness is sin, and there is [a] sin to death.

18 We know, that each man that is born of God, sinneth not; but the generation of God keepeth him, and the wicked toucheth him not.

19 We know, that we be of God, and all the world is set in evil [and all the world is put in wicked].