1 John 5:14-17

¹⁴ Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

¹⁶ 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.

¹⁷ All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

This is not a prayer promise for the Body of Christ and has led to much disappointment and disillusionment (Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; John 15:7; 16:23-24; 1 John 3:21-22). (For instruction in prayer for the Dispensation of Grace, see Romans 8:26-27; 15:30-33; Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Philippians 1:9-11; 4:6-7; 4:19; Colossians 1:9-12). — Grace, page 2225.

brother (v.16) — another believer

This statement (v.15) presupposes that the condition mentioned in v.14 is fulfilled. In other words, on the ground that [the person’s] union with Christ gives [him] boldness towards God, and that [his] will is subject to His will, [he] will have the assurance that the petitions presented in the spirit of unselfishness and submission, have already been granted. — Vine, page 104.

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John does not elaborate [about the “sin unto death”], and comparing Scripture with Scripture does not give us complete surety as the term appears only here. The Law of Moses commanded the punishment of physical death for murder and other serious crimes (Acts 5:1-11). John also spoke of spiritual death earlier in this letter (1 John 3:14). Jesus warned the Jews of the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, a sin that would never be forgiven (Matthew 12:31-32). In the Book of Revelation, John spoke of the sin of receiving the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16-17; 14:9-11; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). Actually, these are all related sins of unbelief and will culminate in worshipping the Beast and his image (Revelation 13:1-18). They refer back to a prior dispensation but also to the future Tribulation period. None of these sins are unforgivable in the present dispensation. Paul assured believing Gentiles under grace that all sin has been forgiven and will not be counted against us (Acts 13:38-39; Colossians 2:13; Romans 4:6-8). — Grace, page 2225.