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Using Extrabiblical Examples from Similar Time Periods

The concept of "sin" in biblical thought is multifaceted, encompassing both inherent human fallenness and deliberate acts of transgression against God's will. The Bible consistently presents humanity as born into a state of sinfulness [5], yet also emphasizes the personal responsibility for individual sinful actions [11].

The inherent nature of sin is highlighted in passages like Psalm 58:3, which states that "the wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies" [5]. This idea is further developed in the New Testament, where Paul argues for universal sinfulness, asserting that both Gentiles and Jews are "under sin's power" and cannot achieve favor with God through their own actions [10]. This condition is not merely a matter of occasional wrongdoing but a fundamental aspect of human existence, leading to a "corrupt old nature" [11].

Beyond this inherent state, sin is also understood as specific acts of disobedience. The first sin, as described in Genesis 3:13, involved Adam and Eve's deliberate act of eating from the forbidden tree, characterized not merely as eating an apple, 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" [8]. This act of rebellion set a precedent for subsequent human sin.

The Bible uses various terms and concepts to describe the nature of sin:

The consequences of sin are severe, including God's wrath [10], spiritual death, and separation from God [4]. However, the biblical narrative also offers a path to redemption through God's grace and forgiveness [3]. The concept of "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" is central to the New Testament message, as seen in Ephesians 1:7 [3]. This forgiveness is not earned but is a gift of God's rich grace [3].

The struggle against sin is a continuous theme. While the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly are depicted as fighting against it [5]. This internal conflict is acknowledged in passages like Romans 7:19-23, which describes the tension between the desire to do good and the tendency to do evil [5]. The New Testament encourages believers to put off the "old self" and its sinful practices [1].

Sources

  1. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 4:26 cross-references: Exodus 11:8, Exodus 32:21, Numbers 20:10, Numbers 20:24, Numbers 25:7, Deuteronomy 24:15, 1 Samuel 20:34, Nehemiah 5:6, Psalms 4:4, Psalms 37:8, Psalms 106:30, Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 19:11, Proverbs 25:23, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Matthew 5:22, Mark 3:5, Mark 10:14, Romans 12:19, Ephesians 4:31, James 1:19”
  2. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 2:5 cross-references: Exodus 8:15, Exodus 14:17, Deuteronomy 2:30, Deuteronomy 32:34, Joshua 11:20, 1 Samuel 6:6, 2 Chronicles 30:8, 2 Chronicles 36:13, Job 21:30, Psalms 95:8, Psalms 110:5, Proverbs 11:4, Proverbs 29:1, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Isaiah 48:4, Ezekiel 3:7, Daniel 5:20, Amos 3:10, Zechariah 7:11, Romans 1:18, Romans 2:2, Romans 9:22, Romans 11:25, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 3:15, Hebrews 4:7, James 5:3, 2 Peter 2:9, 2 Peter 3:7, Jude 1:6, Revelation 6:17”
  3. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 1:7 cross-references: Exodus 34:7, Job 33:24, Psalms 32:1, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 130:4, Psalms 130:7, Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 31:34, Daniel 9:9, Daniel 9:19, Daniel 9:24, Jonah 4:2, Micah 7:18, Zechariah 9:11, Zechariah 13:1, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 20:28, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 1:77, Luke 7:40, Luke 7:47, Luke 24:47, John 20:23, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:38, Acts 20:28, Romans 2:4, Romans 3:24, Romans 4:6, Romans 9:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 3:8, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 4:19”
  4. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 2:12 cross-references: Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:7, Exodus 12:45, Exodus 24:3, Numbers 18:19, 2 Chronicles 15:3, Ezra 4:3, Psalms 89:3, Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 45:20, Isaiah 61:5, Jeremiah 14:8, Jeremiah 17:13, Jeremiah 31:31, Jeremiah 33:20, Ezekiel 13:9, Ezekiel 37:26, Hosea 3:4, Luke 1:72, John 4:22, John 10:16, John 15:5, Acts 3:25, Acts 14:15, Acts 28:20, Romans 1:28, Romans 9:4, Romans 9:8, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 10:19, Galatians 3:16, Galatians 4:8, Ephesians 4:18, Colossians 1:5, Colossians 1:21, Colossians 1:27, 1 Thessalonians 4:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 2 Thessalonian”
  5. 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).”
  6. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
  7. 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”
  8. 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.”
  9. 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).”
  10. 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”
  11. 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”
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