[newberger]

A “sin unto death” is a mortal sin (by definition).

Not all sins are “unto death”. It’s really quite simple.

If there are not mortal and non-mortal (venial) sins, what does the passage mean? The distinction is quite clear, i think.

No, I do not have a list.

P.S. I am not Roman Catholic.

[metmom]

If you don’t have a list then what’s the point of the distinction? How can people be advised to avoid mortal sin if they don’t even know what they are supposed to be avoiding?

Show me a sin that does not separate us from God.

IOW, one that does not lead to death.

[Elsie]

PPS

Rome has no list; either.

[boatbums]

A “sin unto death” is a mortal sin (by definition). Not all sins are “unto death”. It’s really quite simple. If there are not mortal and non-mortal (venial) sins, what does the passage mean? The distinction is quite clear, i think.

This one verse in I John 5:16 is where Catholicism came up with what they call a "Scriptural" proof for mortal versus venial sins and the subsequent remedies for reconciliation. In reality, though, as far as sin in general, ALL sin is mortal because sin separates us from God. The wages of sin is death. What the context of the passage in I John refers to is seen in the verses before that one. It is talking about effective prayer:

I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him. If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin. All unrighteousness is sin, yet there is sin that does not lead to death. (I John 5:13-17)

It is pretty clear that John is talking about a brother or sister in Christ who is unrepentant in sin and which God has determined to take that person out of the world so that the cause of Christ is not harmed. Like he says, ALL unrighteousness is sin and God CAN and does forgive sin and cleanse from all unrighteousness when we confess our sins to Him (see I John 1:9). Sin in a Christian's life can separate him from being in fellowship with God. If you have a Christian friend who is sick, for example, and they are caught up in gross sin and they won't repent or seek God's forgiveness for it, God is saying even if you pray for him to be healed God may have already determined for him to die and you shouldn't expect your prayers to spare him. Remember when Paul spoke about believers who did not judge themselves and for that reason, "This is why many of you are sick and weak and why a lot of others have died." (I Corinthians 11:30)?

So the distinction is that, yes, some sins are worse than others, some sins bring God's swift chastening and discipline and some sins He slowly works on us to deliver us from their hold as He is conforming us into the image of Christ. But, unlike Catholicism's teaching, the true child of God, the born again believer in Christ, is never cast out or lost or plucked from His hands no matter what sin he may commit. We aren't saved because we deserve or merit it, we are saved by God's grace through faith and not works. He gives to us eternal life and we shall NEVER perish.