Faultlessness of the Wicked Believer in Public Sin
The concept of a "wicked believer" who is faultless in public sin presents a theological paradox, as biblical texts consistently link sin with culpability and separation from God. Scripture emphasizes the universal nature of sin, stating that "all human beings are born sinners" [1] and that both Gentiles and Jews are "equally under sin’s power" [5]. The Bible does not support the idea that a believer, whether public or private, can commit sin and remain faultless.
Sin is understood as a transgression against God, originating from a "love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters" [3]. It is not merely an act but stems from a corrupt nature [6]. Even after conversion, believers still contend with their "corrupt old nature" [6]. John Gill notes that "no man is without sin," even regenerated and sanctified persons, as evidenced by the confessions and complaints of saints throughout history [9].
The idea that a believer could be faultless in public sin contradicts the biblical understanding of God's response to sin. God's anger is described as a "necessary response to sin" [5]. Deliberate sins are committed with an "insolent or arrogant attitude" and are considered rebellion [4]. The apostle John states that "He that committeth sin is of the devil," contrasting this with those who "doeth righteousness" [2]. Augustine, as cited by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, clarifies that while the devil does not "beget" children, those who imitate him become his children through imitation [2].
While transgressions of the "second table" of the law (sins against fellow humans) may be forgiven, Calvin argues that knowingly and willingly breaking the "first table" (sins against God) is a sin against the Holy Spirit, indicating direct opposition to God rather than weakness [7]. The earth before the flood was described as "corrupt before God," indicating widespread sin in worship and contempt for God [8]. The biblical narrative consistently portrays sin as incurring guilt and requiring cleansing [6]. Therefore, the notion of a "faultless wicked believer in public sin" is not supported by these theological perspectives.
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).”
- 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”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 6.4: God never pardon any one who has sinned knowingly? I reply, we must observe the word unbelief ; 20 20 “ Par incredulite, ou, n’ayant point la foy .” — “Through unbelief, or not having faith.” for this term limits Paul’s statement to the first table of the law. Transgressions of the second table, although they are voluntary, are forgiven; but he who knowingly and willingly breaks the first table sins against the Holy Spirit, because he is in direct opposition to God. He does not err through weakness, but, by rushing wickedly again”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 6:11: The wickedness of that generation is here again spoken of, either as a foil to Noah's piety - he was just and perfect, when all the earth was corrupt; or as a further justification of God's resolution to destroy the world, which he was now about to communicate to his servant Noah. 1. All kinds of sin was found among them, for it is said (Gen 6:11) that the earth was, (1.) Corrupt before God, that is, in the matters of God's worship; either they had other gods before him, or they worshipped him by images, or they were corrupt and wicked in despite and contempt of ”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 1:8: If we say that we have no sin,.... Notwithstanding believers are cleansed from their sins by the blood of Christ, yet they are not without sin; no man is without sin: this is not only true of all men, as they come into the world, being conceived in sin, and shapen in iniquity, and of all that are in a state of unregeneracy, and of God's elect, while in such a state, but even of all regenerated and sanctified persons in this life; as appears by the ingenuous confessions of sin made by the saints in all ages; by their complaints concerning it, and groans under it; by the”