I'm not sure that a plain reading of v16 actually differentiates between a brother's sin and a non-brother's sin. It does differentiate between a sin unto death, and a sin not unto death, but not necessarily between who is doing what. I think that if we lovingly and knowingly harbor sin in our life, with no intention of confession and repentance, sin has the potential to become a sin unto death.KingdomBuilder wrote:I think that the attachment of brother to sins that lead not to death is important. Simply, a brother is one who shares in the faith and walk of Christ with us- a fellow Christian.1 John 5:14-17 (ESV)
14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God[a] 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. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
We do not, however, see the brothers being connected with the sins leading unto death. If ones not a brother, they're not in the faith. Right?
Would it be fair to say, then, that sins that lead unto death are the sins of the unrepentant and the unbelieving? This would make sense to me in light of the passage. We cannot expect our prayers to save such people... Though we may ask and hope for salvation to be brought, we cannot expect it to happen just because we pray on it. Unfortunately.
On the other hand, when a brother sins, he is not leading to death. He may slip and sin, but if he is still a Christian, he is not destined for hell. These are the people that our prayers will be answered for- prayers for encouragement, conviction, reconciliation, forgiveness, and growth.
I believe there are a number of passages that would speak against the notion that certain sins are the only ones that will get you to hell... I think this passage is more about the sinner, not the specific sin.
Any thoughts?
In the example of Ananias and Sapphira, it was said of them that they 'lied to God', and that they 'tested the Holy Spirit'. What they did turned into a sin unto death. I think at any point, confession and repentance would have avoided that.
How great the risk, then, for any one of us, when we continue to grieve the Holy Spirit without remorse, that our sin might become a sin unto death.