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MegaSchultz
Guest
What is the “deadly sin” referred to in 1 John 5? Thank you!
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irenaeuslyons
Guest
This chapter distinguishes between mortal and venial sins. A deadly sin is a mortal sin.
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Xeyed818
Guest
Here’s a link that looks at it from different angles:
biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/sin-unto-death.html
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Ad_Orientem
Guest
Bishop Challoner’s note on this verse:
A sin unto death. Some understand this of final impenitence, or of dying in mortal sin, which is the only sin that never can be remitted; but, it is probable, he may also comprise under this name the sin of apostacy from the faith, and some other such henious sins as are seldom and hardly remitted: and therefore he gives little encouragement to such as pray for these sinners, to expect what they ask.
A sin unto death. Some understand this of final impenitence, or of dying in mortal sin, which is the only sin that never can be remitted; but, it is probable, he may also comprise under this name the sin of apostacy from the faith, and some other such henious sins as are seldom and hardly remitted: and therefore he gives little encouragement to such as pray for these sinners, to expect what they ask.
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MegaSchultz
Guest
Thank you to all who posted replies! I know it doesn’t refer to mortal sin because mortal sins can be forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance, so it’s not deadly. Dying in a state of mortal sin is deadly, but while the sinner is alive, that’s all the more reason to pray for them to receive the sacrament of Penance! The other sins mentioned like apostasy, etc. seem more likely to truly be deadly. I’m grateful to all who took the time to reply & post links that I could read! God bless you!
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Xeyed818
Guest
I forgot to thank you for asking the question! More often than not, folks ask questions about verses that I never thought to question (like this one). And even though I didn’t find a ‘definitive’ answer, I’m grateful for the insights that a ‘verse shaking’ provides. Ya never know what might fall out or what may ‘connect up’ later on.
God with us,
PJ
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COPLAND_3
Guest
Here are the glosses from the Glossa Ordinaria
He that knows his brother. He is talking of the everyday and light sins which are healed as easily as they are difficultly avoided. If you have sinned in word, in thought, by forgetfulness or by ignorance, confess to a brother, as James teaches, ask him to intercede for you (Jm. 5). And if he confesses to you in his turn, intercede for him too. Here the prayer of the Lord suffices, and mutual confession. It is a light penitence. Then if the sin is a serious one, bring in the priests of the church, and chastise yourself after their examination. (Bede Expo. On 1 John)
There is a sin to death which separates you from God as death separates the soul from God. There is a sin to death.
The Lord orders to pray for persecutors; here he (John) says that there are some people for whom you must not pray, because there are sins in brothers that are more serious than the persecution of enemies; the sin of a brother is to death when, after the knowledge of God was given to him through grace of God, someone attacks the brotherhood, and is agitated by the firebrands of envy against the grace by which he was reconciled. It is a sin not to death if someone has not removed his love from his brother, but through some weakness of the mind has not fulfilled the duties of brotherhood, whence Christ, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34), for they had not yet been made sharers through the grace of the Spirit and had not yet entered the society of the holy brotherhood. So did Stephen too pray for those who had not received God’s grace. Paul does not pray for Alexander; because, as he was already a brother, he was attacking the brotherhood. For those who had yielded out of fear he does pray. All left me alone but may it not be laid to their charge (ref. 2 Tim. 4:16). (Bede Expo. On 1 John)
He that knows his brother. He is talking of the everyday and light sins which are healed as easily as they are difficultly avoided. If you have sinned in word, in thought, by forgetfulness or by ignorance, confess to a brother, as James teaches, ask him to intercede for you (Jm. 5). And if he confesses to you in his turn, intercede for him too. Here the prayer of the Lord suffices, and mutual confession. It is a light penitence. Then if the sin is a serious one, bring in the priests of the church, and chastise yourself after their examination. (Bede Expo. On 1 John)
There is a sin to death which separates you from God as death separates the soul from God. There is a sin to death.
The Lord orders to pray for persecutors; here he (John) says that there are some people for whom you must not pray, because there are sins in brothers that are more serious than the persecution of enemies; the sin of a brother is to death when, after the knowledge of God was given to him through grace of God, someone attacks the brotherhood, and is agitated by the firebrands of envy against the grace by which he was reconciled. It is a sin not to death if someone has not removed his love from his brother, but through some weakness of the mind has not fulfilled the duties of brotherhood, whence Christ, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34), for they had not yet been made sharers through the grace of the Spirit and had not yet entered the society of the holy brotherhood. So did Stephen too pray for those who had not received God’s grace. Paul does not pray for Alexander; because, as he was already a brother, he was attacking the brotherhood. For those who had yielded out of fear he does pray. All left me alone but may it not be laid to their charge (ref. 2 Tim. 4:16). (Bede Expo. On 1 John)
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