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NASB | Matthew 12:31 ¶ "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 12:31 ¶ "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy [every evil, abusive, injurious speaking, or indignity against sacred things] will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit will not be forgiven. |
Subject: The Unpardonable Sin |
Bible Note: This note is an attempt to re-define what the unpardonable sin actually is according to the words of Christ himself. I say "re-define" because much discussion and defining have heretofore been posted on this forum. The key passages that address this topic and put it in proper context are Matthew 12:15-31; Mark 3:22-27; and Luke 11:14-23..... C. I. Scofield summarized the teaching on the unpardonable sin as follows: "The blasphemy against the Spirit" consisted in ascribing to Satan the work of the Holy Spirit (cp. Matthew 12:24). Such a sin was unpardonable because of the unusual cicumstances of their rejection of Christ. This most serious sin of the Pharisees was the climax of their continual denial of the obvious truth that the miracles of Jesus represented the power of God (e.g. Matthew 9:33-34), so that Jesus' message was heaven-authenticated. Their folly in deliberately apostatizing by ascribing to the devil the mighty works of Christ by the Holy Spirit is summarized by our Lord in Matthew 23:13-36 and Luke 11:52. Anyone who is concerned about his rejection of Christ has obviously not committed this 'unpardonable sin' and can still come to Christ." ..... Therefore, the unpardonable sin encompasses a great deal more than the unbelief of John 3:18. If not, Paul would never have been forgiven for his persecution of members of the Way. There are agnostics and atheists, past and present, who, having been cleansed and fully forgiven, attest to the saving power of the gospel. Mere unbelief does not constitute an unpardonable sin in and of itself. All of us "stand condemned already" who have "not believed in the name of God's only begotten Son" (John 3:18) but "whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Unbelief in Jesus is one thing, but ascribing to Satan the work of the Holy Spirit is quite another. --Hank |