The Unforgivable Sin

Mt. 12 contains an account of Jesus healing a deaf and mute man. The enemies of Jesus attributed his power to heal to the power of the Devil. Jesus responds by saying this…

“… Every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

Contextually, the sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Many have played with this verse and said things like the unforgivable sin is the sin that is not repented of or it is suicide because that is a sin one cannot repent of. I suspect the reason for saying these things is compassion… compassion to turn those who have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit to come back to God.

Why would God refuse to forgive those who blaspheme against him?

Notice 1 Sam 2:24 and 1 Sam. 2:13-14…

“If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the LORD, who will intercede for them?”

“For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”

The sin of blaspheming (speaking against) God is so grievous to him that he does not offer a sacrifice to atone for it. Therefore there is no forgiveness for it.

We may not like the consequences for those who blaspheme God because of our compassion for loved ones who are in that position but that should not lead us to change the meaning of Matthew 12. Instead we should teach and preach about the seriousness of blaspheming God so that people will think twice before sinning the sin that cannot be forgiven.