1 JOHN 5:13–17 ASSURANCE, PRAYER, AND LIFE FOR THE BROTHER

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
16 If anyone sees his brother or sister committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I am not saying that he should make request for this.
17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

John now states his purpose with clarity: “so that you may know that you have eternal life.” This is written for assurance, not speculation. Faith is meant to rest on what God has revealed, not to live in constant uncertainty. Eternal life is not only a future hope but a present possession for those who believe in the Son.

From that assurance flows confidence in prayer: “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Prayer is not framed as demanding outcomes, but as aligning with God’s will. The confidence is not in the strength of the request, but in the certainty of being heard when the request matches His purpose. This produces stability in prayer life rather than frustration.

John then builds on that certainty: “if we know that He hears us, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” There is a settled trust that God not only hears but responds in wisdom. Answered prayer is not mechanical, but relational—rooted in communion with God’s will.

Then John introduces a more difficult teaching: “If anyone sees his brother or sister committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will give life.” Intercession for others is powerful and encouraged. Prayer becomes a means of restoration. The believer does not stand by passively when another is struggling but brings them before God.

He also acknowledges a sobering reality: “There is a sin leading to death.” John does not fully explain all boundaries here, but he distinguishes between sins that can be addressed through prayer and repentance, and a hardened condition that resists life. He does not command prayer in that specific case, showing that not all spiritual conditions are treated the same.

Then he summarizes: “All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.” Sin is always serious—it is never reduced to something harmless. Yet there is also distinction in outcome depending on response to truth and hardness of heart. Sins of weakness while you are trying to live for Jesus will be forgiven. Sins of rebellion and abandoning Christ will causes your soul to be lost.

So this section brings assurance and responsibility together. Believers are meant to know they have eternal life, to pray with confidence, to intercede for others, and to take sin seriously while recognizing God’s mercy in restoration and His justice in warning.

BDD