not by the object with which it is connected, but by the dispo- sition from which it proceeds.” *
I do not say that he shall pray for it (od zepi éxeivns Néyo iva épwrjon). Lit., not concerning this do I say that he should make request. So Rev. Prayer even for this sin unto death is not forbidden, but John says that he does not enjoin it. Note the sharp distinctness with which ¢haz terrible sin is thrown out by the pronoun of remote reference and its emphatic posi- tion in the sentence. Note also the words make request (épw- thon), and compare aitjcet he shall ask. On the distinction, see on Luke xi. 9. Airéw to ask, is used of the petition of an inferior, and is never used of Christ’s own requests to God. Hence it is properly used here of the humble and affectionate petition of a Christian to God on behalf of a sinning brother. ’Epwrdw is used of the request of an equal, or of one who asks on equal terms. Hence it may mark a request based upon fel- lowship with God through Christ, or it may hint at an element of presumption in a prayer for a sin unto death. Westcott cites a very early inscription in the Roman Catacombs as an illustra- tion of the use of épwrdv in the sense of Christian prayer for Christians: épwrad tmép juav pray for us.
17. Unrighteousness (dovxéa). This is the character of every offence against that which is right. Every breach of duty is a manifestation of sin. Compare iil. 4, where sin is de- fined as dvoyia lawlessness, and lawlessness as sin. See Rom. vi. 13.
18. We know (olSayuev). John uses this appeal to knowl- edge in two forms: we know (iii. 2, 14; v. 18, 19, 20); ye know (ii. 20; iii. 5, 15).
He that is begotten of God (6 yervndels ex tot Ocod). Lit., was begotten. This exact phrase does not occur elsewhere.
* An interesting paper on ‘‘The Sin unto Death,” by the Rev. Samuel Cox, D.D., may be found in ‘‘ The Expositor,” 2d series, vol. i, p. 416. He holds to Bengel’s view of a sinful state or condition.