17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.



Ver. 17. There is a sin not unto death] All sins and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, &c. {See Trapp on "Mat_12:31"} {See Trapp on "Mat_12:32"} Every sin (in the desert considered) hales hell at the heels of it. Flagitium et flagellum ut acus et filum. There is no venial sin in itself. But the unpardonable sin is here distinguished from all other sins; 1. By the nature of it; it is not any one sin against the law, nor yet is it the direct breach of the whole law, Heb_10:28; but it is a sin against the gospel, a wilful and malicious refusing of pardon upon such terms as the gospel offereth it, scorning to be beholden to God for any such free favour. 2. By the effect, it is a sin unto death, it is infallibly damning, there is no expiation, but a certain fearful expectation of fiery indignation to devour these adversaries, Heb_10:27. God not suffering himself to be derided, nor his Spirit to be despited, smites them with an incurable blindness and reprobacy of mind; whereupon follows, 1. An impossibility of repentance, Heb_6:6; Heb_2:1-18. A desperate fury whereby they continue raving and raging both against the physic and the physician, to their own endless ruth and ruin.