What is blasphemy against the Spirit?
Introduction. One common word translated blasphemy is the Greek blasphemeo (used 35 times). Blasphemeo is a compound word, blato meaning injury, and pheme, to speak. Hence, to speak injuriously. "Wherefore I say unto you," Jesus said, "all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men" (Matt. 12: 31). Jesus explained that speaking against Him could be forgiven, but not speaking against the Spirit (Matt. 12: 32).
The specifics of the context. There are some special contextual circumstances, some of which cannot be duplicated today. Jesus had just healed one possessed with a demon (Matt. 12: 22). The honest were impressed with this manifest miracle and declared, "...Is not this the son of David?" (vs. 23). The Pharisees' response, however, was, "...This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils" (vs. 24). Jesus cast out demons "by the Spirit" (vs. 28). Jesus explained that to accuse Him of demonic power was the height of rebellion, in view of the circumstances (vss. 24-29).
All sin can be forgiven. Baptism (when preceded by faith, repentance, and confession) is for the remission of sin (Acts 2: 38; 22: 16). There is no indication of any limitation or exception in this forgiveness. Christians can be forgiven of any and all confessed sins (I John 1: 8-10).
Conclusion. It appears that the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit involved Jesus' miracles (performed by the Spirit) and the degree of rejection required in order to accuse Jesus as the Pharisees did. Such hardness of heart precluded repentance. Thus, there was no forgiveness in "this world" or in the "world to come." There is no indication that this "unforgivable sin" is the "sin unto death" (1 John 5: 16).
The specifics of the context. There are some special contextual circumstances, some of which cannot be duplicated today. Jesus had just healed one possessed with a demon (Matt. 12: 22). The honest were impressed with this manifest miracle and declared, "...Is not this the son of David?" (vs. 23). The Pharisees' response, however, was, "...This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils" (vs. 24). Jesus cast out demons "by the Spirit" (vs. 28). Jesus explained that to accuse Him of demonic power was the height of rebellion, in view of the circumstances (vss. 24-29).
All sin can be forgiven. Baptism (when preceded by faith, repentance, and confession) is for the remission of sin (Acts 2: 38; 22: 16). There is no indication of any limitation or exception in this forgiveness. Christians can be forgiven of any and all confessed sins (I John 1: 8-10).
Conclusion. It appears that the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit involved Jesus' miracles (performed by the Spirit) and the degree of rejection required in order to accuse Jesus as the Pharisees did. Such hardness of heart precluded repentance. Thus, there was no forgiveness in "this world" or in the "world to come." There is no indication that this "unforgivable sin" is the "sin unto death" (1 John 5: 16).