Nature of Sin and God's Judgment in Scripture
Sin is defined as "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" [1]. This includes both internal states and outward actions, whether through omission or commission [1]. It is not merely a violation of natural order but an offense against a personal, moral lawgiver who enforces laws with penalties [1]. The individual who sins is aware that their sin is inherently corrupting and justly deserves punishment [1].
Scripture consistently portrays sin as originating from the devil, who has been sinning from the beginning [7]. Those who commit sin are described as being "of the devil" [10]. However, this does not imply a literal generation from the devil, but rather an imitation of his actions [10]. All human beings are born with a sinful nature [8], and while the wicked indulge this nature, the godly strive against it [8]. Sinful acts are often referred to as "vanity" in Scripture [9].
The first sin, committed by Adam and Eve, was a profound act of disobedience, characterized by self-love, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and a preference for the creature over the Creator [11]. This initial transgression led to universal condemnation, as all humanity became subject to death through Adam's offense [2, 4]. Death is a direct consequence of sin [4].
God's judgment is an inevitable consequence of sin [12]. The wrath of God is not an arbitrary emotional outburst but a necessary response from a holy God to sin [14]. This divine anger is frequently depicted in the Old Testament and is prophesied to be decisively poured out on human sin at the end of history [14]. God is described as a righteous judge who expresses indignation daily [6].
The punishment of the wicked originates from God and is meted out on account of their sin, iniquity, idolatry, rejection of God's law, ignorance of God, evil ways, pride, unbelief, covetousness, oppression, and persecution [3]. Disobedience to God also incurs punishment [3]. The law itself testifies to the justice of this condemnation [2].
Confession of sin is required by God [5]. God regards such confession, and there are promises of pardon for those who confess [5]. Confession should be accompanied by submission to punishment, prayer for forgiveness, self-abasement, godly sorrow, forsaking sin, and restitution [5]. It must be full and unreserved [5].
Those who claim to be without sin are described as making God a liar [15]. This refers to denying the commission of actual sins, even after conversion, and the lingering guilt from those sins, as well as the corrupt nature that still adheres to individuals [15]. Deliberate sins are committed with an insolent or arrogant attitude, representing a form of rebellion against God [13]. The apostle Paul emphasizes the universal sinfulness of both Gentiles and Jews, stating that all are under sin's power and cannot find favor with God through their own actions [14].
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,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Condemnation — The sentence of God against sin -- Mt 25:41. Universal, caused by the offence of Adam -- Ro 5:12,16,18. Inseparable consequence of sin -- Pr 12:2; Ro 6:23. Increased by Impenitence. -- Mt 11:20-24. Unbelief. -- Joh 3:18,19. Pride. -- 1Ti 3:6. Oppression. -- Jas 5:1-5. Hypocrisy. -- Mt 23:14. Conscience testifies to the justice of -- Job 9:20; Ro 2:1; Tit 3:11. The law testifies to the justice of -- Ro 3:19. According to men's deserts -- Mt 12:37; 2Co 11:15. Saints are delivered from, by Christ -- Joh 3:18; 5:24; Ro 8:1,33,34. Of the wicked, an example ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Punishment of the Wicked, The — Is from God -- Le 26:18; Isa 13:11. On account of their Sin. -- La 3:39. Iniquity. -- Jer 36:31; Eze 3:17-18; 18:4,13,20; Am 3:2. Idolatry. -- Le 26:30; Isa 10:10,11. Rejection of the law of God. -- 1Sa 15:23; Ho 4:6-9. Ignorance of God. -- 2Th 1:8. Evil ways and doings. -- Jer 21:14; Ho 4:9; 12:2. Pride. -- Isa 10:12; 24:21; Lu 14:11. Unbelief. -- Mr 16:16; Ro 11:20; Heb 3:18,19; 4:2. Covetousness. -- Isa 57:17; Jer 51:13. Oppressing. -- Isa 49:26; Jer 30:16,20. Persecuting. -- Jer 11:21,22; Mt 23:34-36. Disobeying God. -- Ne 9:26,27;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death, Natural — By Adam -- Ge 3:19; 1Co 15:21,22. Consequence of sin -- Ge 2:17; Ro 5:12. Lot of all -- Ec 8:8; Heb 9:27. Ordered by God -- De 32:39; Job 14:5. Puts an end to earthly projects -- Ec 9:10. Strips of earthly possessions -- Job 1:21; 1Ti 6:7. Levels all ranks -- Job 3:17-19. Conquered by Christ -- Ro 6:9; Re 1:18. Abolished by Christ -- 2Ti 1:10. Shall finally be destroyed by Christ -- Ho 13:14; 1Co 15:26. Christ delivers from the fear of -- Heb 2:15. Regard, as at hand -- Job 14:1,2; Ps 39:4,5; 90:9; 1Pe 1:24. Prepare for -- 2Ki 20:1. Pray to be prepar”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confession of Sin — God requires -- Le 5:5; Ho 5:15. God regards -- Job 33:27,28; Da 9:20-23. Exhortation to -- Jos 7:19; Jer 3:13; Jas 5:16. Promises to -- Le 26:40-42; Pr 28:13. Should be accompanied with Submission to punishment. -- Le 26:41; Ne 9:33; Ezr 9:13. Prayer for forgiveness. -- 2Sa 24:10; Ps 25:11; 51:1; Jer 14:7-9,20. Self-abasement. -- Isa 64:5,6; Jer 3:25. Godly sorrow. -- Ps 38:18; La 1:20. Forsaking sin. -- Pr 28:13. Restitution. -- Nu 5:6,7. Should be full and unreserved -- Ps 32:5; 51:3; 106:6. Followed by pardon -- Ps 32:5; 1Jo 1:9. Illustrated -”
- Psalms “God is a righteous judge, yes, a God who has indignation every day. -- Psalms 7:11”
- 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”
- 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.”
- Hosea (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hosea 4:3: 4:3 God’s judgment inevitably falls upon sinful people. Because of the Israelites’ sin, their land and all of nature would suffer.”
- 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”