What is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost?

Short Answer: What is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost?

In Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus speaks about the severity of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, emphasizing that this sin shall not be forgiven. He contrasts it with sins and blasphemies against the Son of Man, which can be forgiven. The distinction lies in the use of “shall” versus “will.” “Will” indicates a definite outcome, while “shall” suggests a possibility of change or undoing. Understanding this key difference is vital in grasping the concept of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.

Various examples of blasphemy are found throughout the Bible, including Paul’s past as a blasphemer, as mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:13. Additionally, Hymenaeus and Alexander were also cited as blasphemers in 1 Timothy 1:20. James 2:7 questions whether people who blaspheme the name by realize the gravity of their actions.

Mark 3:28-30 further elaborates on blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, declaring it to be an unforgivable offense with eternal consequences. It is not a simple mistake of attributing someone’s actions to the devil instead of the Holy Spirit. Instead, it involves attributing Jesus’ works to demonic control, denying His divine power, and thus rejecting the Holy Spirit’s influence in His actions.

The key to understanding such passages is to consider them in context, comparing multiple references and allowing them to shed light on one another. Just as Peter’s denials are recorded differently by different authors, reading various passages can provide clarity to the meaning behind each account.

So what is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost? It is a grave offense that denies the work of the Spirit in Jesus’ life, attributing it to evil forces. This rejection of the Holy Spirit’s role in Jesus’ ministry is what makes it an unpardonable sin, resulting in eternal consequences.

Scripture Outline:

• Matt. 12:31-32 – “31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come.” 
• There are many keys in this passage like “will” vs. “shall”
  • Will speaks of there being no possibility of that thing being undone or changed while shall has the connotation of “should” 
  • Ex. Ezek. 33:14-14 when God says to the wicked “thou shalt surely die” if he turn and repent he shall surely live
  • Ex. Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:1-6
    • God tells him to get his house in order because “thou shalt die, and not live” (v. 1)
    • Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed (v. 2-3) and the word of Lord came through Isaiah giving him 15 years (v. 5-6)
  • Shall is a key in understanding blasphemy against the Holy Ghost 
• Examples who blasphemed
  • Paul was a blasphemer (1 Tim. 1:13) 
  • Hymenaeus and Alexander were blasphemers (1 Tim. 1:20) 
  • “Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” (James 2:7)
• Mark 3:28-30 – “28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.”
  • Other key passage on blasphemy against the Holy Ghost
    • By the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established (Matt. 18:16; 2 Cor. 13:1)
    • Reading the various passages gives clarity to those passages
      • Ex. Peter’s denials recorded by different authors (Matt. 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-61; John 18:15-27) 
  • v. 28 and v. 29 end with colons (:) — must keep reading for explanation
    • It’s NOT someone making a mistake and saying someone is not being used by the spirit of God but by the devil 
    • Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost says, “He hath an unclean spirit”
    • It’s NOT someone saying someone is being used by God when it’s actually a foul spirit (like Jeremiah did with Hananiah – Jer. 28)
    • Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is about thinking and saying that JESUS operated under demonic control, under the power of Satan when He operated under the power of the Holy Ghost