THE MEANING OF 1 JOHN 5:16

THE MEANING OF 1 JOHN 5:16

___________________

 by

Mike H. Lei

April 3, 2009

 

This paper will look at the meaning of 1 John 5:16, specifically what John means by “the sin that leads to death”. We will look at whether this is talking about sin that leads to physical or spiritual death. We will look at various proposals regarding what is “the sin that leads to death”. Finally, I will give my own view on the meaning of this verse.

MacArthur thinks that John and his readers knew what the sin leading to death was, since there was no explanation given. MacArthur sees two possibilities 1) the sin is that of a non-Christian leading to eternal death because of a final rejection of Jesus Christ 2) the sin is that of a Christian who is committing a sin so serious God will take the life of the person, such as when God put to death Ananias and Sapphira when they lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11).[1] MacArthur sees the sin can be “any premeditated and unconfessed sin that causes the Lord to end a believer’s life”.[2]

Smalley points out the Old Testament spoke of “sin that leads to death”, such as in Numbers 18:22, Deut 22:26, and Isa 22:14. But the references are for physical death. Smalley sees the present context speaks of spiritual life and death, noting the use of zoe,”life”, in v 16a. Thus, he sees the “death” reference here as “clearly spiritual”.[3]  This can be deliberate sin which leads to apostasy, such as departure from the church and rejection of the Christian understanding of Jesus Christ. However, Smalley sees that John is not forbidding prayers for such people, but is not commanding such prayers.[4]  

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary sees based on the context, “the sin that leads to death” John is referring to is false teaching. “For life to be given to those who deny Jesus Christ, hate their brother, and refuse the witness of God would be a contradiction. Since such persons deny the mercy of God, prayer for them would appear to be limited to asking for their repentance and conversion to God’s truth.”[5]

On a side note, Thomas Aquinas (1224/25-74) differentiates sins that are mortal or eternally damning and sins that are venial or ordinary. Roman Catholic moral theology sees Mortal sins as deliberate violation of a serious law of God, and forgiveness requires the sacrament of penance. Venial sin is a violation of a minor law of God, and forgiveness can be obtained in many different ways (prayer, sacraments, and good works).[6]

Commentators like Yarbrough notices that John did not use the definite article and stress the act of sinning rather than a particular misdeed.[7] Yarbrough sees the sin unto death as “specific manifestations of unregenerate conduct for which ‘blasphemy against the Spirit’ serves as an umbrella rubric”.[8]

            After looking at the different positions, I see the “sin unto death” as the sin that would lead to spiritual or physical death. If we see a brother rejecting the gospel by word or conduct, we should be very careful how we pray for them. If we pray according to God’s will, we should pray for the brother’s repentance and turning back to God, rather than pray for God’s blessings or forgiveness on them. John reminds us that if we pray according to God’s will, God will answer our prayer. Most important of all, this verse commands us to pray for our brothers and sisters if we see them sinning, so that God may forgive them by turning them from death to life.  

 

Bibliography

 

Gaebelein, Frank E. Gen. Ed. J. D. Douglas. Assoc. Ed. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Volume 12 (Hebrews-Revelation). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981.

Holy Bible, Chinese/English (Union,NIV). Hong Kong: International Bible Society (H.K.) Ltd., 1997.

Keck, Leander E. Conrener & Sr. NT Ed. The New Interpreter’s Bible: Volume XII. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary 1-3 John. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2007.

Smalley, Stephen S. 1,2,3 John. Word Biblical Commentary: Volume 51 (Revised Edition). Bruce M. Metzger, David A. Hubbard, Glenn W. Barker, Gen. Eds. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Yarbrough, Robert W. 1-3 John. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein, Eds. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2008.

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[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary 1-3 John (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2007), 205.

[2] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville:Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), .

[3] Stephen S. Smalley, 1,2,3 John, Word Biblical Commentary: Volume 51 (Revised Edition), Bruce M. Metzger, David A. Hubbard, Glenn W. Barker, gen eds. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007), 284.

[4] Ibid., 285-287.

[5] Frank E. Gaebelein, gen. ed., J.D. Douglas, assoc. ed., The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Volume 12 (Hebrews-Revelation) (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 355.

[6] Leander E. Keck, conrener & sr. NT ed., The New Interpreter’s Bible: Volume XII (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998), 444.

[7] Robert W. Yarbrough, 1-3 John, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein, eds. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2008), 307.

[8] Ibid., 308.