To reject Jesus is not terminal, but to reject the Spirit’s testimony to him is. Sins of ignorance are pardonable. The case of Paul, blasphemer, persecutor, and apostle proves this (1 Tim. 1:12–17; Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–4). This implies that blasphemy against the Spirit must be a deliberate act. Hebrews 6:4–6 and 1 John 2:18–24 suggest it is a sober, measured rejection of Jesus against all the evidence, which the blasphemer has both heard and felt.

³¹Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. ³²And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Blasphemy against the Spirit

This passage functions as a warning about blasphemy. Jesus begins, “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven” (Matt. 12:31a), but adds that “blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven” (Matt. 12:31b). Jesus does not define this ominous act, traditionally called the unpardonable sin, which cannot merely be a heinous sin (such as murder), since “every sin” can be forgiven. Blasphemy against the Spirit must have a unique feature that leads Jesus to warn the Pharisees that when they blaspheme him, they almost reach blasphemy against the Spirit (Matt. 12:32).

The difference hinges on the distinct work of the Holy Spirit, who convicts of sin and testifies to Jesus’ person and work (John 16:7–14). To reject Jesus is not terminal, but to reject the Spirit’s testimony to him is. Sins of ignorance are pardonable. The case of Paul, blasphemer, persecutor, and apostle proves this (1 Tim. 1:12–17; Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–4). This implies that blasphemy against the Spirit must be a deliberate act. Hebrews 6:4–6 and 1 John 2:18–24 suggest it is a sober, measured rejection of Jesus against all the evidence, which the blasphemer has both heard and felt.

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