A.T. Robertson Commentary 1 John 5:17

"All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death." — 1 John 5:17 (ASV)

All unrighteousness is sin (πασα αδικια αμαρτια εστιν). Unrighteousness is one manifestation of sin as lawlessness (3:4) is another (Brooke). The world today takes sin too lightly, even jokingly as a mere animal inheritance. Sin is a terrible reality, but there is no cause for despair. Sin not unto death can be overcome in Christ.