John’s First Epistle

1 Jno. 5:16-21

Knowing!

If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them 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 you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.  We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.  We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. – 1 Jno. 5:16-21

This section begins with a call to pray for those who are penitent, that God will give them life. Those are worthy of our prayers who are not determined to sin themselves to death.

Those born of God (who have entered the family of God and are faithful) are people who are determined not to sin and who avoid the approaches of the evil one. The Son of God has given us understanding in these matters, having to do with our determination to avoid sin.

This avoidance means we keep ourselves from idols. The idols are anyone or anything that keeps us from full commitment to God.