1 John 5:17 (KJV)

What does 1 John 5:17 mean?

1 John 5:17 says that anything that is not right or just—called “unrighteousness”—is considered sin, but there is a kind of sin that does not lead to death. The verse draws a distinction between all wrongdoing and a specific type of sin that has a more severe consequence.

The apostle John is writing to early Christian believers, clarifying what counts as sin and hinting at differences in the seriousness or effects of certain sins. In the context of the letter, John has been discussing prayer, forgiveness, and the reality of sin among believers, so this verse helps his readers understand that while all wrongdoing is sin, not every sin leads to the same outcome.

The Greek behind 1 John 5:17

• ἀδικία (adikia, “unrighteousness”): This word means injustice or anything not in line with what is right. John uses it to cover all kinds of moral failure, not just obvious or major sins.
• ἁμαρτία (hamartia, “sin”): This is the general Greek word for sin, meaning missing the mark or falling short of what God requires. John equates all unrighteousness with sin, emphasizing that even lesser wrongs matter.
• οὐ πρὸς θάνατον (ou pros thanaton, “not unto death”): This phrase means “not leading to death.” John is pointing out that some sins do not result in spiritual death or final separation from God, suggesting a difference in consequences.

Why 1 John 5:17 matters

• 1 John 5:17 clears up the idea that only certain actions count as sin; John says all unrighteousness is sin, broadening the definition beyond just the most serious offenses.
• The verse introduces the concept that not every sin leads to death, which has led to much discussion about what “sin unto death” means and how believers should respond to different kinds of sin.
• In the wider passage, this helps explain why John encourages prayer for those who sin, except in cases where the sin is “unto death,” making the distinction important for how the early church understood forgiveness and intercession.