What is the definition of 1 John 5:16? 🙋 🔍
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.
Explanation:
Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 John 5:16 together. It's a really important and comforting message about love and forgiveness. Here’s what it means in simple terms:
Core Idea:
This verse is saying that when we see someone else doing something wrong, 💎we are called to step in and help them.💎 It’s not about punishing them; it's about offering a chance for them to turn away from their mistake.
Let’s break it down word by word:
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“If any man sees his brother sin a sin which is not unto death”
: This means if someone notices another person doing something wrong – like lying, cheating, or hurting themselves – that's a 💎sin💎. It's important to note this isn’t just about 💎any💎 wrongdoing; it's about a transgression against God.
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“He shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death”
: This is the key part! If someone else does something wrong, we are 💎encouraged to speak up💎. We should gently tell them that they need to stop doing it. And, crucially, we’re offering 💎life💎 – a chance to be forgiven and restored.
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“There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.”
: This is where the verse gets really powerful. The author isn't saying 💎we shouldn't💎 ask them to stop. Instead, they’re stating that 💎it’s already too late💎. It means that if someone is in serious trouble – and especially if it involves a life-threatening situation – we should not offer them prayers for forgiveness. It's suggesting that the consequences of this sin are severe enough that we shouldn't prolong them with prayerful requests.
In short, this verse encourages us to:
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Love our brothers and sisters.
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Speak up when we see someone else doing something wrong.
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Offer help and encouragement to stop the wrongdoing.
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Recognize that sometimes, intervention is necessary to prevent a serious outcome.
Why is this important?
It’s rooted in the belief that God loves us unconditionally. He wants us to be involved in the lives of others so we can protect them from harm and help them grow into better people.
Does this make sense? Do you have any specific questions about this verse, or would you like me to explain anything further? For example, are you curious about:
💎 The context of this verse within the larger Bible?
💎 How it relates to forgiveness?