What is the Unpardonable Sin

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Jan 3, 2024
36
8
8
#1
I’ve heard several interpretations of this sin or blasphemy of the Holy Spirit but I’d really like to know exactly what it is and how is it committed and if it’s the sin of unbelief in Jesus can you repent of that sin before you die ?
 

Kroogz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2023
864
346
63
#2
What is the unpardonable sin / unforgivable sin?

The unpardonable/unforgivable sin or “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” is mentioned in Mark 3:22–30 and Matthew 12:22–32. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter” (Mark 3:28), but then He gives one exception: “Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin” (verse 29).

According to Jesus, the unpardonable or unforgivable sin is unique. It is the one iniquity that will never be forgiven (“never” is the meaning of “either in this age or in the age to come” in Matthew 12:32). The unforgivable sin is blasphemy (“defiant irreverence”) of the Holy Spirit in the context of the Spirit’s work in the world through Christ. In other words, the particular case of blasphemy seen in Matthew 12 and Mark 3 is unique. The guilty party, a group of Pharisees, had witnessed irrefutable evidence that Jesus was working miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, yet they claimed that He was possessed by the prince of demons, Beelzebul (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:30).

The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day committed the unpardonable sin by accusing Jesus Christ (in person, on earth) of being demon-possessed. They had no excuse for such an action. They were not speaking out of ignorance or misunderstanding. The Pharisees knew that Jesus was the Messiah sent by God to save Israel. They knew the prophecies were being fulfilled. They saw Jesus’ wonderful works, and they heard His clear presentation of truth. Yet they deliberately chose to deny the truth and slander the Holy Spirit. Standing before the Light of the World, bathed in His glory, they defiantly closed their eyes and became willfully blind. Jesus pronounced that sin to be unforgivable.

The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, specific as it was to the Pharisees’ situation, cannot be duplicated today. Jesus Christ is not on earth, and no one can personally see Jesus perform a miracle and then attribute that power to Satan instead of the Spirit. The only unpardonable sin today is that of continued unbelief. There is no pardon for a person who dies in his rejection of Christ. The Holy Spirit is at work in the world, convicting the unsaved of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). If a person resists that conviction and remains unrepentant, then he is choosing hell over heaven. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6), and the object of faith is Jesus (Acts 16:31). There is no forgiveness for someone who dies without faith in Christ.

God has provided for our salvation in His Son (John 3:16). Forgiveness is found exclusively in Jesus (John 14:6). To reject the only Savior is to be left with no means of salvation; to reject the only pardon is, obviously, unpardonable.

Many people fear they have committed some sin that God cannot or will not forgive, and they feel there is no hope for them, no matter what they do. Satan would like nothing more than to keep people laboring under that misconception. God gives encouragement to the sinner who is convicted of his sin: “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8). “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20). And the testimony of Paul is proof positive that God can and will save anyone who comes to Him in faith (1 Timothy 1:12–17). If you are suffering under a load of guilt today, rest assured that you have not committed the unpardonable sin. God is waiting with open arms. Jesus’ promise is that “he is able to save completely those who come to God through him” (Hebrews 7:25). Our Lord will never fail. “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).
https://www.gotquestions.org/unpardonable-sin.html
.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,112
4,374
113
#3
I’ve heard several interpretations of this sin or blasphemy of the Holy Spirit but I’d really like to know exactly what it is and how is it committed and if it’s the sin of unbelief in Jesus can you repent of that sin before you die?
Jesus is the only person in the word of God who said this. And it was after the Pharisees said that Jesus cast out devils by the power of the devil. Contextually, Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is equating HIS work to that of the devil.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
13,614
9,127
113
#4
I’ve heard several interpretations of this sin or blasphemy of the Holy Spirit but I’d really like to know exactly what it is and how is it committed and if it’s the sin of unbelief in Jesus can you repent of that sin before you die ?
There are several differing thoughts on what exactly is the unforgivable sin.

I maintain, that if it can be committed today, the person that did it wouldn't be concerned that they committed it. But there is a possibility that this particular sin can't be committed today. Not sure I fully believe that, but here is a Pastor's explanation about it.

Also, Jesus said that only ONE sin is unforgivable. So if it was both, people today attributing Jesus' work to the devil, AND the sin of rejecting Him and His atoning Sacrifice, then there would be 2 unforgivable sins. Therefore I do lean that for those of us today the sin is a total and final rejection of Him. That can't be forgiven. And I further believe that sin isn't completely in effect until someone dies and hasn't accepted Him.

 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,123
30,253
113
#5

Hebrews 11:6
:)
 

Artios1

Born again to serve
Dec 11, 2020
678
420
63
#6
I’ve heard several interpretations of this sin or blasphemy of the Holy Spirit but I’d really like to know exactly what it is and how is it committed and if it’s the sin of unbelief in Jesus can you repent of that sin before you die ?
You may get a variety of answers on your question …. Based on what people have been taught, believe, or see in the scriptures.

The bottom line is …the Word does not specifically state what that particular blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is ...… in comparison to the all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven.

There are two things that stand out in the scriptures.

First is…. blasphemy is singular. It is a onetime action.

The second is …. It is against The Holy Spirit …. not the gift of….but the giver (i.e. God)

So, you can measure your responses of those who post… against those two things.


Personally, I know of only one sin that is unforgivable…. it cannot be reversed or forgiven….I have known and worked with those who committed that.

I also know that it cannot be done accidentally. It is committed with full knowledge of, and deliberate action of what the eternal consequences are…..And it also cannot be committed by a born again Christian.

The mechanism that brings about forgiveness... is counter-phased (180 degrees) to the mechanism that blasphemes the Holy Spirit.

I have heard some say… it can’t be committed today….that is not true. That is speculation based on a narrowed assumption …..It just can’t be committed by someone who has been born again … even if they turned their back on God.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,643
5,906
113
#7
I’ve heard several interpretations of this sin or blasphemy of the Holy Spirit but I’d really like to know exactly what it is and how is it committed and if it’s the sin of unbelief in Jesus can you repent of that sin before you die ?
Jesus was doing miraculous things by Gods spirit , they began to say “ hes doing these things by the power of demons “

they were crediting Satan , for what God was doing by the power of his spirit to try to discredit Jesus

“But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: and if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:24-28, 31-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬


see they didn’t actually say anything about the holy ghost they were simply taking what Jesus was doing by Gods spirit and claiming it was satans work which leads him into telling them this
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,258
1,150
113
New Zealand
#8
I’ve heard several interpretations of this sin or blasphemy of the Holy Spirit but I’d really like to know exactly what it is and how is it committed and if it’s the sin of unbelief in Jesus can you repent of that sin before you die ?
Blasphemy in the passage was committed by Pharisees rejecting who Jesus is, as God..to begin with.

It's not about believers. It's not applied to them.
 
Jan 3, 2024
36
8
8
#9
You may get a variety of answers on your question …. Based on what people have been taught, believe, or see in the scriptures.

The bottom line is …the Word does not specifically state what that particular blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is ...… in comparison to the all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven.

There are two things that stand out in the scriptures.

First is…. blasphemy is singular. It is a onetime action.

The second is …. It is against The Holy Spirit …. not the gift of….but the giver (i.e. God)

So, you can measure your responses of those who post… against those two things.


Personally, I know of only one sin that is unforgivable…. it cannot be reversed or forgiven….I have known and worked with those who committed that.

I also know that it cannot be done accidentally. It is committed with full knowledge of, and deliberate action of what the eternal consequences are…..And it also cannot be committed by a born again Christian.

The mechanism that brings about forgiveness... is counter-phased (180 degrees) to the mechanism that blasphemes the Holy Spirit.

I have heard some say… it can’t be committed today….that is not true. That is speculation based on a narrowed assumption …..It just can’t be committed by someone who has been born again … even if they turned their back on God.
What is the sin you’re speaking of!
 

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2023
1,936
1,133
113
#10
From what I've read from the Bible, I think it means not to attribute things of the Holy Spirit to Satan as if what the Holy Spirit does is wicked. Because someone who thinks like that can't learn from God and receive salvation.

I'm thinking about the last days too when the beast system institutes the mark of the beast to seal all their followers. Taking the mark of the beast means you side with Satan and has very severe eternal consequences the followers will regret, whereas if you are saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit, you're siding with the Lord Jesus. Even though you will die for refusing the mark of the beast you will receive eternal life with God.


🏂
 

glf

Active member
Mar 18, 2023
306
130
43
70
#11
What is the unpardonable sin / unforgivable sin?

The unpardonable/unforgivable sin or “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” is mentioned in Mark 3:22–30 and Matthew 12:22–32. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter” (Mark 3:28), but then He gives one exception: “Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin” (verse 29).

According to Jesus, the unpardonable or unforgivable sin is unique. It is the one iniquity that will never be forgiven (“never” is the meaning of “either in this age or in the age to come” in Matthew 12:32). The unforgivable sin is blasphemy (“defiant irreverence”) of the Holy Spirit in the context of the Spirit’s work in the world through Christ. In other words, the particular case of blasphemy seen in Matthew 12 and Mark 3 is unique. The guilty party, a group of Pharisees, had witnessed irrefutable evidence that Jesus was working miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, yet they claimed that He was possessed by the prince of demons, Beelzebul (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:30).

The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day committed the unpardonable sin by accusing Jesus Christ (in person, on earth) of being demon-possessed. They had no excuse for such an action. They were not speaking out of ignorance or misunderstanding. The Pharisees knew that Jesus was the Messiah sent by God to save Israel. They knew the prophecies were being fulfilled. They saw Jesus’ wonderful works, and they heard His clear presentation of truth. Yet they deliberately chose to deny the truth and slander the Holy Spirit. Standing before the Light of the World, bathed in His glory, they defiantly closed their eyes and became willfully blind. Jesus pronounced that sin to be unforgivable.

The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, specific as it was to the Pharisees’ situation, cannot be duplicated today. Jesus Christ is not on earth, and no one can personally see Jesus perform a miracle and then attribute that power to Satan instead of the Spirit. The only unpardonable sin today is that of continued unbelief. There is no pardon for a person who dies in his rejection of Christ. The Holy Spirit is at work in the world, convicting the unsaved of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). If a person resists that conviction and remains unrepentant, then he is choosing hell over heaven. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6), and the object of faith is Jesus (Acts 16:31). There is no forgiveness for someone who dies without faith in Christ.

God has provided for our salvation in His Son (John 3:16). Forgiveness is found exclusively in Jesus (John 14:6). To reject the only Savior is to be left with no means of salvation; to reject the only pardon is, obviously, unpardonable.

Many people fear they have committed some sin that God cannot or will not forgive, and they feel there is no hope for them, no matter what they do. Satan would like nothing more than to keep people laboring under that misconception. God gives encouragement to the sinner who is convicted of his sin: “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8). “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20). And the testimony of Paul is proof positive that God can and will save anyone who comes to Him in faith (1 Timothy 1:12–17). If you are suffering under a load of guilt today, rest assured that you have not committed the unpardonable sin. God is waiting with open arms. Jesus’ promise is that “he is able to save completely those who come to God through him” (Hebrews 7:25). Our Lord will never fail. “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).
https://www.gotquestions.org/unpardonable-sin.html
.
If it is not possible for it to be done now-a-days, then why are we told that it will not be forgiven in this life nor in the life to come? To my understanding, this would be an eternal forbidden fruit, if you will, and by not doing it in the next life, we will be choosing the Lord; otherwise, we'd be in New Jerusalem no matter if we wanted to be there or not. I can't even imagine that anyone would actually do it once we're in heaven and had already seen the Lord of all glory face to face.

I consider rewriting the book of Revelations while leaving out selected portions to also be unforgivable as that person's name will be removed from the book of life, which is mentioned at the end of Revelations. Also, allowing one's faith to wither and die will also be unforgivable as Jesus will never be crucified afresh; see Heb 6: 4-6. Only those with faith can be a partaker of the Holy Spirit. Denying Jesus before men may also be unforgivable too as Jesus said he would deny such a one to the Father. Jesus did forgive Peter for denying him, but Peter did it before being indwelt by the Holy Spirit and Jesus did greave Peter when next they met by asking him if he loved him three times in a row too.

In 1 Jn 5 we're told, "If any man sees his brother sin a sin that is not unto death, he shall ask and He shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, and I do not say you shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin and there is a sin not unto death."
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,600
3,622
113
#12
I’ve heard several interpretations of this sin or blasphemy of the Holy Spirit but I’d really like to know exactly what it is and how is it committed and if it’s the sin of unbelief in Jesus can you repent of that sin before you die ?
Best way to find out is to read the Bible where it shows where some scribes from Jerusalem blasphemed the Holy Spirit by declaring the holy Spirit to be a demon..

(Mark 3:22-30) "¶ And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. {23} And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? {24} And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. {25} And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. {26} And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. {27} No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. {28} Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: {29} But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: {30} Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit."

So just a simple reading of the incident and the words of Jesus in Mark tells you what blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is.. There seems to be a lot of different denominations and preachers who have expanded the definition and others who have developed totally different definitions for what blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is.. But if one keeps to the Word of God on the issue things become very clear.. If a person accuses the Holy Spirit of being an evil / unclean/ demonic spirit then they have blasphemed the Holy Spirit and they shall never be forgiven this sin..
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,563
13,547
113
58
#13
The unpardonable sin is in regard to the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in Matthew 12:22-32 and Mark 3:22-30. This case of blasphemy which is unpardonable is a specific one.

In Matthew 12:31-32, the Pharisees having witnessed irrefutable proof that Jesus was casting out demons in the power of the Holy Spirit, claimed instead that Jesus had an unclean spirit and casts them out by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons. (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:30).

Jesus was specific about what they did to commit "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" and these Pharisees who committed this unforgivable sin were not believers. What is unpardonable in general is the state of continued unbelief. (John 3:18)
 

Edify

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2021
1,569
661
113
#15
Therefore I do lean that for those of us today the sin is a total and final rejection of Him.
NO.
The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, specific as it was to the Pharisees’ situation, cannot be duplicated today.
WRONG.
Therefore I do lean that for those of us today the sin is a total and final rejection of Him.

WRONG.

Blasphemy in the passage was committed by Pharisees rejecting who Jesus is, as God..to begin with. It's not about believers. It's not applied to them.
WRONG.
I can't believe what I'm reading. Jesus plainly said it, with no possibility for symbolism, or reinterpretation.
Blaspheming the HOLY SPIRIT. How can it be seen as anything else?
Read the scriptures... Jesus was blasphemed by many, & they could be forgiven if they repented.
Paul said he did it, but he did it ignorantly in unbelief.
You can only do it if you know what you're doing, & yes, christians who have the ability to choose can as well.
Many say it's rejecting Christ, but NOWHERE in scripture does it say that.

Consider your ways, & only believe what is distinctly written.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,258
1,150
113
New Zealand
#16
NO.

WRONG.

WRONG.

WRONG.
I can't believe what I'm reading. Jesus plainly said it, with no possibility for symbolism, or reinterpretation.
Blaspheming the HOLY SPIRIT. How can it be seen as anything else?
Read the scriptures... Jesus was blasphemed by many, & they could be forgiven if they repented.
Paul said he did it, but he did it ignorantly in unbelief.
You can only do it if you know what you're doing, & yes, christians who have the ability to choose can as well.
Many say it's rejecting Christ, but NOWHERE in scripture does it say that.


Consider your ways, & only believe what is distinctly written.
If the Pharisees were doing it as the ones being addressed, then it's about Pharisees
 

Blade

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2019
1,801
630
113
#18
I’ve heard several interpretations of this sin or blasphemy of the Holy Spirit but I’d really like to know exactly what it is and how is it committed and if it’s the sin of unbelief in Jesus can you repent of that sin before you die ?
Sis.. to help anyone on this. As many would tell you if you have to ask you never did it. When Christ said that what was He doing at the time? They saw, witnessed it face to face and then said it was of the devil they were not confused wondering they knew. Its not seeing some healing or the like on TV or video and wondering or saying "that's not of God". Its so easy today to question but know what He did in Matt-Rev He still does today.

Now some will say its rejecting Christ which can not be forgiven and this is true. The as I say sweet sweet holy Spirit...I NEVER EVER EVER want to touch.
 

Kroogz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2023
864
346
63
#19
Blasphemy in the passage was committed by Pharisees rejecting who Jesus is, as God..to begin with.

It's not about believers. It's not applied to them.
RIGHT!
 

JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
6,278
2,556
113
#20
Holy is that which is good, pure, reserved for special use....when these words are used in Biblical literature they are synonymous with each other.

Something/someone that is good is rare and special. "Jesus said, "Only God is good" when He was called "Good Teacher" by the rich young ruler.

Evil, bad, worthless and etc are also synonymous in Biblical literature.

So...
Calling something good as something bad fits the bill.
So is doing evil so good can be the result. (IE, killing babies for Jesus. Or publicly disparaging/betraying a pastor doing a good job so a better one (in your opinion) can take his place.
Or declaring the Gospel message is of no value/worthless.

This isn't really complicated.
But it's far reaching and infectious.