The “sin unto death” is mentioned only once in the Bible, in 1 John 5:16-17: “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.”
Based on this passage, we can understand a few key things about the sin unto death:
- It is a specific type of sin that is distinct from other sins.
- It leads to death in some way, whereas other sins do not.
- We are instructed not to pray for those who commit this type of sin.
There has been much debate over what exactly constitutes the “sin unto death.” Here are some of the main views:
Deliberate, Unrepentant Sin
Many commentators believe the sin unto death refers to deliberate, unrepentant sin. When a professing believer continues in egregious, intentional sin and shows no remorse or desire to repent, this may demonstrate that their faith is not genuine. Their stubborn refusal to turn from sin is evidence that they are not truly converted. This persistent rebellion may lead to physical death as a form of divine judgment.
Supporters of this view point to passages like Numbers 15:30-31, which refers to “sinning defiantly” and being “cut off.” They also cite examples like Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), who died after lying deliberately to the Holy Spirit.
Apostasy
Some interpreters equate the sin unto death with apostasy – someone who professes faith in Christ but later completely rejects him. Apostates are described in passages like Hebrews 6:4-6, which warns that it is impossible for such people to be restored again to repentance. Their public repudiation of Christ is a sin that leads to spiritual death, cutting them off from saving grace. Praying for their restoration seems futile.
Loss of Physical Life
Another perspective sees the “death” referred to as physical death. Those who commit certain serious sins may forfeit their physical lives as an act of divine discipline. In such cases, believers are instructed not to pray for the restoration of their health or life. Examples offered include the illnesses inflicted on the Corinthian church for abusing the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:30) and the death of Herod when he failed to give glory to God (Acts 12:20-23).
Loss of Eternal Life
Some think the verse is not referring to physical death but to eternal death – exclusion from salvation and eternal life. Those who commit this sin lose their opportunity for repentance and faith. Their rebellion and hardness of heart puts them beyond the reach of prayer and gospel witness. They cannot be restored and will not inherit the kingdom. Only God knows if someone has committed this ultimate sin.
Each of these views has strengths and weaknesses. There is evidence to support them in Scripture, but also questions that remain unanswered. Perhaps the exact nature of the “sin unto death” is purposely vague. The main point seems to be that God takes deliberate, unrepentant sin very seriously – especially among those who profess faith in Christ.
Possible Examples of the Sin Unto Death
While we cannot say definitively what the “sin unto death” is, Scripture does contain accounts of God dealing severely with unrepentant sin in believers’ lives:
- Moses – Forbidden from entering the Promised Land for angrily striking the rock at Meribah (Num 20:7-12)
- Uzzah – Struck dead for improperly touching the ark of the covenant (2 Sam 6:6-7)
- Ananias and Sapphira – Struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11)
- Church discipline – Excommunication of immoral church members resulting in physical death (1 Cor 5; 1 Tim 1:20)
While these may or may not be examples of the specific “sin unto death,” they display God’s opposition to brazen sin among his people. They serve as warnings that deliberate, unrepentant sin has severe consequences.
How Should Christians Respond?
The main application from 1 John 5:16-17 is that unrepentant sin is dangerous and calls for drastic measures. How should Christians respond when we see fellow believers engaging in deliberate, serious sin?
- Confront them lovingly and call them to repentance (Matt 18:15-17; Gal 6:1-2; James 5:19-20).
- Avoid associating with them and treat them as unbelievers if they remain unrepentant (1 Cor 5:9-13).
- Trust in God’s justice and mercy, recognizing that he alone sees the heart (1 Sam 16:7; Rom 2:16).
- Have humility, remembering our need for abundant grace and recognizing that we too could fall (Prov 16:18; 1 Cor 10:12; Gal 6:1).
Regarding prayer, we should continue praying for a person’s repentance and restoration up to a point. But if they steadfastly reject calls to repent, prayer should shift to seeking God’s will to be done. Only God knows if someone’s heart has become permanently hardened against him.
Faithful Christians Need Not Fear
This severe warning should not cause faithful followers of Christ to doubt their salvation. True believers seek to honor God with their lives, even when they stumble and fall into sin. Their hearts remain soft and pliable toward God.
1 John 1:5-10 assures Christians that God will forgive our sins when we confess them and turn to him in faith. We have an advocate in Christ (1 John 2:1). The Lord disciplines his children, but never disowns them (Heb 12:5-11). Paul makes it clear that “nothing can separate us from the love of God” (Rom 8:31-39).
While genuine followers of Christ endeavor to avoid deliberate sin, our security does not depend on sinless perfection. Our hope lies in Christ’s perfect righteousness that covers all our shortcomings. We can have full assurance of salvation because we are “in Christ” by faith (Rom 8:1).
The warnings about blatant, unrepentant sin should cause self-reflection and perseverance in faith. But true believers need not fear losing their eternal salvation every time they stumble. Our Father stands ready to forgive and lift up his faltering children. Thanks be to God for his amazing grace!