Finding the Root Cause of Sin Biblically
The Bible defines sin as "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" [1]. This includes both internal states of the soul and outward actions, whether by omission or commission [1]. Understanding the root cause of sin involves examining biblical texts and theological interpretations that point to various origins, including the will, pride, ignorance, and the influence of the devil.
One primary biblical perspective identifies the devil as a foundational source of sin. The Apostle John states, "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning" (1 John 3:8) [2, 3]. This suggests that sin originates from a spiritual rebellion that predates human transgression. Jesus himself refers to the devil as the "father of lies" (John 8:44), a concept that some interpreters see as indicating deception as a root of sin [9].
The human will is also identified as a direct cause. The Augsburg Confession, a Lutheran confessional document, teaches that "the cause of sin is the will of the wicked, that is, of the devil and ungodly men; which will, unaided of God, turns itself from God" [6]. This highlights the volitional aspect of sin, where individuals actively choose to turn away from divine commands. Similarly, Calvin, in his commentary on Genesis, traces the origin of sin in Adam and Eve to their incredulity toward God's word and "mad ambition" to covet the forbidden fruit, implying a defect of will and desire [5].
Augustine, a prominent Church Father, identified two main causes of sin: ignorance and weakness [7]. He argued that people sin either because they do not know their duty or because they fail to perform the duty they know [7]. Both of these require divine assistance to overcome. Augustine also emphasized pride as a fundamental root of sin, stating, "the beginning of all sin is pride" [8]. This pride led to the fall of those who "in the Truth stood not" and subsequently to humanity's expulsion from Paradise [8].
The concept of "covetousness" is also explored as a potential root. Thomas Aquinas distinguished between covetousness as an inordinate desire for riches (a specific sin) and covetousness as an inordinate desire for any temporal good [4]. In the latter sense, Aquinas suggested it could be considered a genus encompassing all sins, as every sin involves an "inordinate turning to a mutable good" [4].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin — Is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment,”
- 1 John “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil. -- 1 John 3:8”
- I John “I John 3:8 (LITV) — The one practicing sin is of the Devil, because the Devil sins from the beginning. For this the Son of God was revealed, that He undo the works of the Devil.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundae), Of the Cause of Sin, in Respect of One Sin Being the Cause Of Another, Art. 1: Article: Whether covetousness is the root of all sins? I answer that, According to some, covetousness may be understood in different ways. First, as denoting inordinate desire for riches: and thus it is a special sin. Secondly, as denoting inordinate desire for any temporal good: and thus it is a genus comprising all sins, because every sin includes an inordinate turning to a mutable good, as stated above (Question [72], Article [2]). Thirdly”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 7.19: allured by the beauty of the tree, and the man ensnared by the blandishments of Eve. Yet the milder the authority of God, the less excusable was their perverseness in rejecting it. But we must search more deeply for the origin and cause of sin. For never would they have dared to resist God, unless they had first been incredulous of his word. And nothing allured them to covet the fruit but mad ambition. So long as they firmly believing in God’s word, freely suffered themselves to be governed by Him, they had serene and duly regulat”
- Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), Of the Cause of Sin they teach that, although God does create and: Of the Cause of Sin they teach that, although God does create and preserve nature, yet the cause of sin is the will of the wicked, that is, of the devil and ungodly men; which will, unaided of God, turns itself from God, as Christ says John 8:44: When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 81.--THERE ARE TWO CAUSES OF SIN, IGNORANCE AND WEAKNESS; AND WE NEED DIVINE HELP TO OVERCOME BOTH.: I shall now say this, which I have often said before in other places of my works. There are two causes that lead to sin: either we do not yet know our duty, or we do not perform the duty that we know. The former is the sin of ignorance, the latter of weakness. Now against these it is our duty to struggle; but we shall certainly be beaten in the fight, unless we are helped by God, not only to see our duty, but also, when we clearly see it, to ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM XXXVI.[5] (part 12): his head: the beginning of all sin is pride.[3] "Thereby have fallen all that work iniquity: they are driven out, and are not able to stand." He first, who in the Truth stood not, then, through him, they whom God sent out of Paradise. Whence he, the humble, who said that he was not worthy to unloose His shoe's latchet, is not driven out, but standeth and heareth Him, and rejoiceth greatly because of the Bridegroom's voice;[4] not because of his own, lest the foot of pride come against him, and he be driven out, and be n”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:8: 21:8 This vice list summarizes sins described throughout Revelation. These sins characterize people who have not experienced adoption by God; their fate is the fiery lake (see Rom 1:29-32; Gal 5:19-21; 2 Tim 3:2-5; cp. Exod 20:13-17; see also study note on Rev 20:10). • all liars: John apparently viewed deception as the root of sin; elsewhere he describes Satan as the “father of lies” (John 8:44; 1 Jn 2:4; see Rev 14:5; 21:27; 22:15; cp. Matt 12:34).”