Is There an Unpardonable Sin that Cannot be Forgiven?

01-unforgivable-sinQuestions about “unpardonable sin” often arise because of Mark 3:29 and its parallels. Responding to claims that he was possessed by an evil spirit, Jesus says that “whoever blasphemes against the holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” This challenging passage has been interpreted in many ways over the centuries. Catholic teaching holds that blaspheming against the Holy Spirit means making a serious choice. It implies a final rejection of God’s mercy offered through the Holy Spirit. This is summarized in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss” (paragraph 1864).

Will a sinner go to hell “no matter what”? Of course not. Any sin can be forgiven, as long as the sinner repents and accepts forgiveness.