What is Sin Which Does Not Lead to Death

All unrighteousness is sin, but there is a sin that does not lead to death, what is it?

Image from Cecille B DeMille’s The Ten Commandments | Edited by the author

This question was asked in our bible study meeting, “What is sin which does not lead to death?”

The inquiry emanates from 1 John 5:16 which says, “If anyone sees his brother commit a sin which does not lead to death, he shall ask (or pray), and He (God) shall give him life. This is for those whose sin does not lead to death.

The same verse further declares, “There is a sin that leads to death. I do not say that he should pray for it.”

Then the next verse 17 proclaims that “All unrighteousness is sin, but there is a sin that does not lead to death.” (1 John 5:17)

However, the apostle did not specify what is this sin that does not lead to death. And what is that sin that leads to death?

All doctrines in the New Testament take root in the Scriptures (The Law and the Prophets). Even Jesus Christ declares that the words that He speaks are not His but His Father’s which were of course written in the Old Testament, by Moses and the Prophets of God. Therefore, in order to answer this question, we search the Scriptures.

First, what is Sin?