1 John 5:16

“If anyone see his brother sin, &c.] Those who have such an interest at the throne of grace, and such boldness and freedom there, should make use of it for others, as well as themselves, and particularly for fallen believers; for a “brother”; not in a natural or civil sense, but in a spiritual sense, one that is judged to be born again, and belongs to the family and household of God, and is a member of a Gospel church; and so is under the watch, inspection, and care of the saints; and is observed to sin, as the best of men are not without it, nor the commission of it, in thought, word, or deed: and this sin of his is a sin [which is] not unto death; every sin, even the least sin, is in its…”

“If any . . . see--on any particular occasion; Greek aorist. his brother--a fellow Christian. sin a sin--in the act of sinning, and continuing in the sin: present. not unto death--provided that it is not unto death. he shall give--The asker shall be the means, by his intercessory prayer, of God giving life to the sinning brother. Kindly reproof ought to accompany his intercessions. Life was in process of being forfeited by the sinning brother when the believer's intercession obtained its restoration. for them--resuming the proviso put forth in the beginning of the verse. "Provided that the sin is not unto death." "Shall give life," I say, to, that is, obtain life "for (in the case of) them…”

“If a man see his brother sin a sin ... - From the general assurance that God hears prayer, the apostle turns to a particular case in which it may be benevolently and effectually employed, in rescuing a brother from death. There has been great diversity of opinion in regard to the meaning of this passage, and the views of expositors of the New Testament are by no means settled as to its true sense. It does not comport with the design of these notes to examine the opinions which have been held in detail. A bare reference, however, to some of them will show the difficulty of determining with certainty what the passage means, and the impropriety of any very great confidence in one’s own judgment…”

“This extends to things of the greatest importance. If any one see his brother - That is. any man. Sin a sin which is not unto death - That is, any sin but total apostasy from both the power and form of godliness. Let him ask, and God will give him life - Pardon and spiritual life, for that sinner. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for that - That is, let him not pray for it. A sin unto death may likewise mean, one which God has determined to punish with death. 1 John 5:17”

“5:16 Sins that lead to death are those involving apostasy (see Matt 12:31-32; Heb 6:4-6). In the context of this letter, apostasy involves leaving the apostolic faith and joining a heretical, anti-Christian movement such as those denounced in John’s letters.”

“he shall ask: Gen 20:7, Gen 20:17; Exo 32:10-14, Exo 32:31, Exo 32:32, Exo 34:9; Num 12:13, Num 14:11-21; Deu 9:18-20; Ch2 30:18-20; Job 42:7-9; Psa 106:23; Eze 22:30; Amo 7:1-3; Jam 5:14, Jam 5:15 There: Num 15:30, Num 16:26-32; Sa1 2:25; Jer 15:1, Jer 15:2; Mat 12:31, Mat 12:32; Mar 3:28-30; Luk 12:10; Ti2 4:14; Heb 6:4-6, Heb 10:26-31; Pe2 2:20-22 I do not: Jer 7:16, Jer 11:14, Jer 14:11, Jer 18:18-21; Joh 17:9 1 John 5:17”