King James Version

What Does 1 John 5:16 Mean?

1 John 5:16 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from 1 John chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

1 John 5:16 · KJV


Context

14

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: in: or, concerning him

15

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

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.

17

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

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. John addresses prayer for sinning believers. "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death" (ean tis idē ton adelphon autou hamartanonta hamartian mē pros thanaton)—observing a fellow believer sinning. "Not unto death" distinguishes this from the "sin unto death" mentioned next. This likely means sins that, while serious, don't result in physical death as divine judgment.

"He shall ask, and he shall give him life" (aitēsei kai dōsei autō zōēn). The believer should pray for the sinning brother, and God will give life. This doesn't mean the pray-er gives life but that God grants life in response to prayer. The prayer restores the sinning believer to spiritual vitality and prevents the sin from leading to death. Intercessory prayer for sinning believers is commanded and effective.

"There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it" (estin hamartia pros thanaton ou peri ekeinēs legō hina erōtēsē). The "sin unto death" is debated—likely persistent, unrepentant rebellion leading to God's temporal judgment of physical death (as in 1 Corinthians 11:30, Acts 5:1-11). John doesn't forbid praying for such cases but doesn't command it, perhaps because God's judgment is already determined. This warns that sin has serious consequences, including possible divine judgment of death, while encouraging prayer for repentant or overtaken brothers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Old Testament examples of sin leading to death include Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2), Achan (Joshua 7), and Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-7). New Testament examples include Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) and some Corinthian believers dying due to abusing the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:30). These demonstrate that while salvation isn't lost, persistent serious sin can result in God's temporal judgment of physical death.

The distinction between sin leading to death and sin not leading to death shouldn't create categories of small versus big sins—all sin is serious. Rather, it distinguishes between sins committed in weakness or momentary failure (which believers should pray about) versus persistent, unrepentant, willful rebellion that God judges with physical death. The emphasis is on praying for sinning believers while recognizing that extreme cases exist where God's judgment is already determined.

Reflection Questions

  1. When you see a fellow believer sin, do you typically pray for them as John commands, or do you gossip, judge, or ignore it?
  2. How can you distinguish between ordinary sins believers struggle with (pray for) and the 'sin unto death' (which John doesn't command praying for)?
  3. What does this passage teach about the seriousness of persistent, unrepentant sin even for genuine believers?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
Ἐάν1 of 31

If

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

τις2 of 31

any man

G5100

some or any person or object

ἴδῃ3 of 31

see

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τὸν4 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφὸν5 of 31

brother

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

αὐτῷ6 of 31

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἁμαρτάνουσιν7 of 31

for them that sin

G264

properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin

ἁμαρτία8 of 31

a sin

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

μὴ9 of 31

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

πρὸς10 of 31

unto

G4314

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,

θάνατον·11 of 31

death

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

αἰτήσει12 of 31

he shall ask

G154

to ask (in genitive case)

καὶ13 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

δώσει14 of 31

he shall give

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὐτῷ15 of 31

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ζωήν,16 of 31

life

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

τοῖς17 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτάνουσιν18 of 31

for them that sin

G264

properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin

μὴ19 of 31

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

πρὸς20 of 31

unto

G4314

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,

θάνατον·21 of 31

death

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

ἔστιν22 of 31

There is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἁμαρτία23 of 31

a sin

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

πρὸς24 of 31

unto

G4314

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,

θάνατον·25 of 31

death

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

οὐ26 of 31

I do not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

περὶ27 of 31

for

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

ἐκείνης28 of 31

it

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

λέγω29 of 31

say

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ἵνα30 of 31

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ἐρωτήσῃ31 of 31

he shall pray

G2065

to interrogate; by implication, to request


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 5:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 5:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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