In 1 John 4:16-17 we read, “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and he will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.”
In this verse John mentions two broad types of sin. The fist type is “sin which does not lead to death.” This is any sin which is repented of. James, explains in James 5:6-7: “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” The second type of sin which John mentions is a “sin leading to death.” John tells us not to pray on behalf of someone who has committed this kind of sin, because it cannot be forgiven. This is the unpardonable sin (Mark 3:28-29; Hebrews 10:26-29; Hebrews 6:4-6).
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