sin unto death?

[houston]

( I Jn 5:16,17 ) What is a sin unto death?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by houston

( I Jn 5:16,17 ) What is a sin unto death?

From, GotQuestions.org: http://www.gotquestions.org/sin-unto-death.html

Question: "What is the sin unto death?"

Answer: First John 5:16 is one of the most difficult verses in the New Testament to interpret. “If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that.” Of all the interpretations out there, none seems to answer all the questions concerning this verse. The best interpretation may be found by comparing this verse to what happened to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-10 (see also 1 Corinthians 11:30). The “sin unto death” is deliberate, willful, continuous, unrepentant sin. God, in His grace, allows His children to sin without immediately punishing them. However, there comes a point when God will no longer allow a believer to continue in unrepentant sin. When this point is reached, God sometimes decides to punish a Christian, even to the point of taking his or her life.

That is what He did in Acts 5:1-10 and 1 Corinthians 11:28-32. This is perhaps what Paul described to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5. We are to pray for Christians who are sinning. However, there may come a time when God will no longer hear prayers for a sinning believer for whom He has determined that judgment is due. It is difficult to realize there are times when it is just too late to pray for a person. God is good and just, and we will just have to let Him decide when it is too late.

[bbyrd009]

Hmm, this is a thoughtful answer, but seems incomplete, somehow? Doesn't really answer the Q, kind of? I wonder if "death" here might be taken improperly to mean "physical death?"
But this is just a feeling, right now; I'll be back! (exploring "sin that leads to spiritual death" v not...)

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Hmm, this is a thoughtful answer, but seems incomplete, somehow? Doesn't really answer the Q, kind of? I wonder if "death" here might be taken improperly to mean "physical death?"
But this is just a feeling, right now; I'll be back! (exploring "sin that leads to spiritual death" v not...)

There is one sin that leads to spiritual death.. Not believing Jesus Christ is Lord.

[Aquila]

In a spiritual sense, could it mean absolute apostasy, becoming a reprobate?

[bbyrd009]

^Well, they would be spiritually dead; more or less a version of this;

Originally Posted by jfrog

There is one sin that leads to spiritual death.. Not believing Jesus Christ is Lord.

But I would add here that, in retrospect at least, I was not spiritually alive after I had "accepted Christ!" (in Baptist fashion, with my mouth). I'm not putting it down, it started me on a better path, but I still produced no fruit for years..
I like the quote above, and think it is accurate as far as it goes, but not specific as to a particular sin or sins that might "lead to death."
It could in fact be that the title verse (which i can't see for a sec) just meant "if you aren't killed for doing something stupid" even, tho that might sound funny--I'll put the scripture in the engine tonite or tomorrow, if someone doesn't beat me to it, try to get a sense of context.

[bbyrd009]

The commentary I'm reading agrees with Aquila without clarifying much specifically, but argues that spiritual death as a meaning here is doubtful http://biblecommenter.com/1_john/5-16.htm
A sin which is not unto death - The great question in the interpretation of the whole passage is, what is meant by the "sin unto death." The Greek (ἁμαρτία πρὸς θάνατον hamartia pros thanaton) would mean properly a sin which "tends" to death; which would "terminate" in death; of which death was the penalty, or would be the result, unless it were arrested; a sin which, if it had its own course, would terminate thus, as we should speak of a disease "unto death."

[Arphaxad]

Can it be something that causes you to physically die, like heavy drinking or shooting up? as compared to stealing, which doesn't kill you( unless you're shot dead by the one you're stealing from.)

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Aquila

In a spiritual sense, could it mean absolute apostasy, becoming a reprobate?

And/or homosexual?

Not my thoughts - but I have known people who have stated this.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Arphaxad

Can it be something that causes you to physically die, like heavy drinking or shooting up? as compared to stealing, which doesn't kill you( unless you're shot dead by the one you're stealing from.)

The commentaries seem to be leaning that way; toward something which would cause a penalty of death, or physical death. Which is somewhat contrary to my belief that the Bible is always discussing spiritual stuff, even when it seems like it's talking about physical stuff? but, i've spent like 5 minutes here...