1 John 5:17

5:16 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.

All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

KJV

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All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.

All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not to death.

5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

What does 1 John 5:17 mean?

1 John 5:17 is a verse in the book of 1 John, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include πᾶς (pas), ἀδικία (adikia), εἰμί (esti). It connects to 5 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

Allπᾶςpas/pas/G3956including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

unrighteousnessἀδικίαadikia/ad-ee-kee'-ah/G93from 94; (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act):--iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.

isεἰμίesti/es-tee'/G2076third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.

sin:ἁμαρτίαhamartia/ham-ar-tee'-ah/G266from 264; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful).

andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

there

sinἁμαρτίαhamartia/ham-ar-tee'-ah/G266from 264; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful).

notοὐouG3756ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.

untoπρόςpros/pros/G4314a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.

death.θάνατοςthanatos/than'-at-os/G2288from 2348; (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively):--X deadly, (be...) death.

Commentary on 1 John 5:17

HENRY_FULL · 1 John 5:17

In this chapter the apostle asserts, I. The dignity of believers, ver. 1 . II. Their obligation to love, and the trial of it, ver. 1-3 . III. Their victory, ver. 4, 5 . IV. The credibility and confirmation of their faith, ver. 6-10 . V. The advantage of their faith in eternal life, ver. 11-13 . VI. The audience of their prayers, unless for those who have sinned unto death, ver. 14-17 . VII. The preservation from sin and Satan, ver. 18 . VIII. Their happy distinction from the world, ver. 19 . IX. Their true knowledge of God ( ver. 20 ), upon which they must depart from idols, ver. 21 . Love a

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:35

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:17

These things I command you, that ye love one another.

1 John 3:22

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1 John 4:21

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Topics

Sin

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 1 John 5:17.

Matthew 3:10

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Matthew 3:5

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

Matthew 1:17

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

Matthew 1:21

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. JESUS: that is, Saviour, Heb

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. they: or, his name shall be called

Matthew 1:25

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew 10:24

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

Frequently asked questions

What does 1 John 5:17 say?

1 John 5:17 (King James Version) reads: "All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death."

Is 1 John 5:17 in the Old or New Testament?

1 John 5:17 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of 1 John.

Reflect

As you read 1 John 5:17, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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