1 John 5 17

1 John 5:17 kjv

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

1 John 5:17 nkjv

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

1 John 5:17 niv

All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

1 John 5:17 esv

All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

1 John 5:17 nlt

All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.

1 John 5 verses

1 John 5 17 Meaning

This verse encapsulates two profound biblical truths regarding the nature and consequences of sin within the divine economy. Firstly, it states unequivocally that all unrighteousness, in every form of moral deviation from God's perfect standard, is intrinsically sin. This universal declaration affirms God's absolute holiness and justice. Secondly, it offers a crucial distinction and a message of profound comfort to believers, clarifying that there is a category of sin which does not lead to eternal spiritual death or the forfeiture of salvation for those who are truly born of God. This implies God's mercy and provision for the forgiveness and restoration of believers who, though striving for righteousness, still fall short in their walk.

1 John 5 17 Context

1 John chapter 5 underscores the assurance of salvation through faith in Christ, emphasizing the believer's new birth and their victorious overcoming of the world through faith. This specific verse (v.17) is tightly connected to the preceding verse (v.16), where John speaks of praying for a brother who sins "not unto death," but implies a cessation of prayer for one who sins "unto death." In this literary flow, verse 17 provides the universal premise: all unrighteousness is indeed sin. Then, it offers clarity regarding the specific nature of the "sin not unto death," distinguishing it from the fatal consequence implied by its counterpart. Historically, John may have been addressing nascent Gnostic influences that minimized the seriousness of sin or promoted antinomianism, asserting that physical actions had no bearing on spiritual standing. By stating that all unrighteousness is sin, John grounds the believer in the reality of their moral accountability. However, by adding the caveat that some sin is "not unto death," he simultaneously offers profound grace and comfort, assuring that the everyday shortcomings of genuine believers do not negate their salvation, differentiating them from apostates or those who definitively reject God.

1 John 5 17 Word analysis

• All (πᾶσα, pasa): This Greek word denotes "every kind" or "the whole." Its inclusion is emphatic, leaving no room for exceptions. It underscores the comprehensive nature of sin: every single wrong action, thought, or omission, no matter how small it may seem, stands in opposition to God's holiness. This applies to all humanity and to all facets of human behavior.
• Unrighteousness (ἀδικία, adikia): Derived from a (not) and dike (justice), this term literally means "not justice" or "injustice." It refers to any deviation from what is right and equitable, from God's moral and righteous standard. It encompasses wickedness, wrongdoing, or moral error, signifying a failure to conform to God's righteous character, whether through active transgression or passive failure to do good (e.g., Jam 4:17).
• is (ἐστίν, estin): A simple declarative verb ("is"), affirming a definitive identification. It means that unrighteousness, by its very nature and definition, fundamentally constitutes sin. There is no ambiguous ground where wrongdoing is not sin.
• sin (ἁμαρτία, hamartia): This widely used biblical term means "missing the mark." In theological context, it refers to any thought, word, deed, or omission that violates God's holy standard or nature. Here, it functions as the universal classification for all unrighteousness, asserting the moral truth that deviation from righteousness is rebellion or failure against God.
• and (καὶ, kai): A conjunction that serves to connect the two clauses. It introduces a qualification or a further elaboration upon the initial sweeping statement, setting up a distinction within the concept of sin itself.
• there is (ἔστιν, estin): Another instance of the declarative "is," affirmatively stating the existence of this particular category of sin. It is not hypothetical but a real aspect of human experience within the believer's life.
• a sin (ἁμαρτία, hamartia): The same term for sin is repeated, but this time it is contextualized as one specific kind of sin within the broader reality of "all unrighteousness." It introduces a necessary distinction concerning its outcome.
• not (οὐ, ou): A strong, absolute negative particle in Greek. It definitively denies that the specified outcome occurs for this category of sin. The consequences described are entirely absent.
• unto death (πρὸς θάνατον, pros thanaton): This phrase signifies "towards death" or "leading to death." In the context of 1 John and the New Testament, "death" often refers to eternal spiritual separation from God, which is the ultimate condemnation for unbelievers. For believers, "not unto death" assures that their ordinary sins, even when serious, do not result in the loss of their redeemed status, divine condemnation, or permanent separation from Christ. It is implicitly contrasted with the "sin unto death" from v.16, which carries ultimate and fatal spiritual consequences, often understood as a definitive, unrepentant rejection of Christ or apostasy. It may also, in some cases, include divine temporal judgment, possibly leading to physical death (e.g., 1 Cor 11:30), but without eternal condemnation.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "All unrighteousness is sin": This phrase establishes a foundational theological truth. It underscores that God's standard of righteousness is absolute and non-negotiable. Every deviation, big or small, active or passive, is a transgression. This combats any notion of "small sins" that do not count or antinomian beliefs that dismiss moral accountability once saved. It ensures believers maintain a healthy view of God's holiness and their own persistent need for His grace.
• "and there is a sin not unto death": This statement provides profound comfort and theological clarity, particularly for those striving for godliness. It indicates that not every sin committed by a believer carries the ultimate consequence of eternal condemnation. While all unrighteousness is indeed sin, divine grace and forgiveness are applied to those who are in Christ and confess their failings (1 John 1:9). This differentiates the ordinary struggles and even serious falls of a true believer (which, though serious, lead to repentance and forgiveness) from the "sin unto death" (as described in v.16), which is characterized by an unrepentant, final rejection of Christ and the Spirit's testimony, sealing a person in eternal separation from God. It secures the assurance of salvation for the faithful.

1 John 5 17 Bonus section

• The careful distinction in this verse highlights the importance of discerning the nature of sin, particularly in the context of intercessory prayer, as prompted by the preceding verse (1 John 5:16). While believers are called to intercede for one another's shortcomings and failures ("sin not unto death"), John suggests there are limits to such intercession when confronted with the unpardonable "sin unto death." This implies a recognition of a person's ultimate rejection of grace.
• This verse contributes significantly to the doctrine of the security of the believer. By affirming that ordinary sins do not lead to eternal spiritual death for those in Christ, it underpins the truth that genuine salvation is eternally secure, based not on the believer's perfection, but on Christ's perfect sacrifice and God's covenant faithfulness.
• The tension between "all unrighteousness is sin" (the standard) and "a sin not unto death" (the grace) underscores the paradox of the Christian life: while Christians are new creations who are called to perfect righteousness, they remain imperfect beings who still stumble, yet are perpetually covered by grace. This dual truth inspires both pursuit of holiness and reliance on divine mercy.

1 John 5 17 Commentary

1 John 5:17 serves as a vital bridge between the severity of sin and the vastness of God's grace. The initial declaration, "All unrighteousness is sin," lays a firm groundwork: there are no degrees of transgression that render it less than sin in God's perfect eyes. This addresses any misconception that certain moral failings are inconsequential. Every act or thought that falls short of God's perfect righteousness is sin, revealing humanity's universal need for a Savior.

However, the latter part of the verse, "and there is a sin not unto death," introduces a crucial theological distinction. While sin is universally condemned, its consequences for the believer who genuinely walks with Christ are not always the ultimate spiritual "death" or loss of salvation. This offers immense comfort, assuring that a Christian's inevitable shortcomings, if met with confession and repentance, do not negate their new birth or eternal standing in God's family. This differentiates them from those who commit the "sin unto death" (mentioned in v.16)—which is widely understood as persistent, defiant rejection of Christ after knowledge of the truth, a final apostasy, or perhaps a form of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that indicates an irremediable state of rebellion, precluding repentance.

For the believer, ordinary sins, though serious and requiring confession, lead to forgiveness and cleansing, not eternal condemnation. This highlights God's patience, grace, and faithfulness to cleanse His children who err but turn back to Him. For instance, when a believer struggles with recurrent anger and later repents and seeks forgiveness, this is a "sin not unto death." In contrast, the sin unto death might be seen in one who, having experienced Christ's truth, deliberately and conclusively renounces Him and embraces enmity toward the Gospel.