Topical Bible: Sin: Sinfulness of

◄ Sin: Sinfulness of ►

Jump to: Nave's • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of sin and its inherent sinfulness is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting humanity's moral and spiritual failings in contrast to the holiness of God. Sin is depicted as a transgression against divine law, a rebellion against God's will, and a fundamental aspect of human nature post-Fall.

Nature of Sin

Sin is first introduced in the Bible in the account of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Their disobedience to God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17) marks the entrance of sin into the human experience. This act of rebellion resulted in the fall of humanity, as described in Genesis 3, and introduced a sinful nature that has been inherited by all subsequent generations. Romans 5:12 states, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned."

Sin as Rebellion

Sin is often characterized as rebellion against God. In 1 Samuel 15:23 , the prophet Samuel equates rebellion with sin, stating, "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and arrogance is as wickedness and idolatry." This highlights the gravity of sin as a deliberate turning away from God's authority and a preference for one's own will.

Universality of Sin

The Bible asserts the universality of sin, affirming that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This universality underscores the pervasive nature of sin and the need for divine intervention. Ecclesiastes 7:20 echoes this sentiment: "Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins."

Consequences of Sin

The consequences of sin are both immediate and eternal. Sin separates humanity from God, as seen in Isaiah 59:2 : "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." This separation results in spiritual death, as articulated in Romans 6:23 : "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Sin and the Law

The law serves to reveal the sinfulness of sin. Romans 7:7 explains, "What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been aware of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, 'Do not covet.'" The law exposes sin, making humanity aware of its transgressions and the need for redemption.

Sin and Redemption

Despite the pervasive nature of sin, the Bible offers hope through redemption in Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:9 provides assurance: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provide the means by which humanity can be reconciled to God, overcoming the sinfulness that separates them.

Struggle with Sin

Even after redemption, believers continue to struggle with sin. The Apostle Paul describes this internal conflict in Romans 7:19 : "For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do." This ongoing battle highlights the need for reliance on the Holy Spirit to overcome the sinful nature.

Conclusion

The sinfulness of sin is a profound reality that affects every aspect of human life. It is a rebellion against God, a universal condition, and a barrier to fellowship with the Creator. Yet, through Christ, there is hope for forgiveness and transformation, enabling believers to live in accordance with God's will.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 22:5
Is not your wickedness great? and your iniquities infinite?
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 25:11
For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, said the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 7:13
Was then that which is good made death to me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew

2403. chatta'ah -- sinful thing, sin
... sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation;
also (concretely) an offender -- punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication ...
/hebrew/2403.htm - 5k

Library

The Sinfulness of Original Sin.
... SERMONS. THE SINFULNESS OF ORIGINAL SIN. MATTHEW xix.20.""The young man saith unto
him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?". ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the sinfulness of original sin.htm

Sin's Writing and Its Erasure
... sin makes unwelcome in it. The justice of God, punishment, sinfulness of
sin, high moral tone, are all gone. And the very horns of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/sins writing and its erasure.htm

Wherein Consists the Sinfulness of that Estate Whereinto Man Fell?
... A18: The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of
Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his ...
/.../the westminster shorter catechism/question 18 0 wherein consists the.htm

Whether Ignorance Diminishes a Sin?
... if committed by a man when drunk, although in the latter case there are two sins:
because drunkenness diminishes the sinfulness of the resulting sin more than ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether ignorance diminishes a sin.htm

From the Definitions Given of Sin and Will, He Overthrows the ...
... If so compelled that there was no power of resisting, they do not sin. ... his Retractations,
Augustin replies to the Pelagian denial of the sinfulness of infants ...
/.../chapter 12 name the definitions.htm

Wherein Consists the Sinfulness of that Estate Whereinto Man Fell?
... Answer: The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt
of Adam's first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and ...
/.../the westminster larger catechism/question 25 0 0 wherein consists the.htm

The Worthy Communicant
... And if we really know what sin is"if we really see the sinfulness of sin"if we really
see ourselves as God sees us"we shall be too much shocked at the ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxvii the worthy communicant.htm

Sin Charged Upon the Surety
... But in no view does the sinfulness of sin appear so striking , as in this wonderful
[astonishing; amazing] effect "the suffering and death of MESSIAH That ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xx sin charged upon.htm

Sin is Spiritual Slavery
... by which the Scriptures describe the glory of God, the excellence of holiness, and
the bliss of heaven, on the one side, and the sinfulness of sin with the woe ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin is spiritual slavery.htm

Whyte -- Experience
... The sinfulness of his sin; the malignity of his sin; the ungodliness and the inhumanity
of his sin; the dominion that his sin still has over him; the simply ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/whyte experience.htm