Effective Biblical Teaching Using Cultural and Historical Examples
The concept of sin in biblical teaching is multifaceted, encompassing both an inherent human condition and specific transgressions against God's will. From a theological perspective, all human beings are born with a sinful nature, as indicated in Psalm 51:5 [1]. This inherent sinfulness means that individuals are predisposed to actions that dishonor God [4].
The Bible presents sin not merely as isolated acts but as a fundamental state of rebellion against God [5]. For instance, Proverbs 30:8 connects "vanity" with "all sorts of sinful acts," suggesting a broad understanding of sin that extends beyond individual misdeeds [2]. The apostle Paul, in Romans 1:18–3:20, emphasizes the universal nature of sin, arguing that both Gentiles and Jews are "under sin’s power" and cannot achieve favor with God through their own actions [6]. This universal sinfulness is a foundational teaching that precedes the discussion of righteousness through faith [6].
Specific examples and descriptions of sin are found throughout scripture:
- Original Sin and its Consequences: The account in Genesis 3:13 describes Eve being "beguiled" by flattering lies, leading to a "heinous and aggravated" sin. This act is characterized not just as eating forbidden fruit, but as "a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters—a preference of the creature to the Creator" [4]. This narrative establishes the foundational understanding of humanity's fallen state.
- Deliberate Sin and Rebellion: Psalm 19:13 describes deliberate sins as being committed with an "insolent" or "arrogant" attitude, equating "great sin" with rebellion [5]. This highlights the intentional defiance often associated with sinful acts.
- Sin as being "of the devil": 1 John 3:8 states that "He that committeth sin is of the devil." Augustine, commenting on this verse, clarifies that while one is "born of God," one becomes a "child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth." Bengel adds that "from the devil there is not generation, but corruption" [3]. This emphasizes the spiritual origin and corrupting nature of sin.
- Ongoing Sinfulness: Even after conversion, individuals continue to commit "actual sins" [7]. 1 John 1:10 addresses the idea of claiming "we have not sinned," contrasting it with 1 John 1:8, which speaks of "we have no sin." The former refers to the commission of actual sins, while the latter refers to the "present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us" [7]. Denying the commission of sins makes God a liar [7].
The biblical understanding of sin also informs the role of teaching and spiritual guidance. Paul's approach to preaching, as described in 1 Corinthians 2, focused on "Christ crucified" rather than worldly wisdom, acknowledging human weakness and God's power [10]. The importance of instruction in God's message is underscored by the call for believers to financially support those who teach them, which is seen as harvesting a spiritual crop [9]. Timothy's upbringing, where his Jewish grandmother and mother provided his education in the Old Testament Scriptures "from childhood," exemplifies the early and continuous instruction in biblical truths that can lead to wisdom in Christ Jesus [8]. The Old Testament Scriptures are presented as providing the wisdom necessary to receive Christ, and conversely, Christ is needed to fully understand the Old Testament [8].
Sources
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:14: 3:14-15 from childhood: Timothy’s Jewish grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice (see Acts 16:1-3), provided his education in the Old Testament Scriptures (see 2 Tim 1:5), and their lives reinforced their teaching. • The Old Testament Scriptures give the wisdom to receive . . . Christ Jesus. In turn, Jesus Christ is needed to understand the Old Testament Scriptures fully.”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 6:6: 6:6-10 In financially supporting those who teach them God’s message (6:6), believers harvest a spiritual crop. 6:6 Supporting Christian teachers applies 5:13 and 6:2 (cp. 1 Tim 5:17-18).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2 (introduction): PAUL'S SUBJECT OF PREACHING, CHRIST CRUCIFIED, NOT IN WORLDLY, BUT IN HEAVENLY, WISDOM AMONG THE PERFECT. (1Co. 2:1-16) And I--"So I" [CONYBEARE] as one of the "foolish, weak, and despised" instruments employed by God (Co1 1:27-28); "glorying in the Lord," not in man's wisdom (Co1 1:31). Compare Co1 1:23, "We." when I came-- (Act 18:1, &c.). Paul might, had he pleased, have used an ornate style, having studied secular learning at Tarsus of Cilicia, which STRABO preferred as a school of learning to Athens or Alexandria; here, doubt”