Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6100 Aspects of sin  »  6199 imperfection  »  6200 imperfection, influence of

Scripture indicates that the world, including human beings and institutions, are imperfect because of the contaminating influence of sin. This influence extends to the household of faith: both Israel and the Christian church are portrayed as prone to sin and weakness.

The creation is imperfect because of sin

Genesis 3:17-19 See also Genesis 5:29; Romans 8:20-22

Imperfection is expressed in corruption and death

Psalm 103:15-16; 2 Peter 1:4 See also 2 Samuel 14:14; Psalm 90:3-10; Ecclesiastes 12:1-7; James 1:10; 1 Peter 1:24

The imperfection of the spiritual creation

Job 4:18; Jude 6 See also 2 Peter 2:4

The universal imperfection of human beings

Romans 3:23 See also Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 8:46 pp 2 Chronicles 6:36; Psalm 14:3; Psalm 130:3; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 64:6; Galatians 3:22; James 3:2

The imperfection of the household of faith

Israel and her leaders

Nehemiah 9:34; Jeremiah 2:21 See also Judges 2:11-13; Nehemiah 9:16; Psalm 106:39; Isaiah 3:14; Jeremiah 50:6; Ezekiel 20:30; Micah 3:1-3

The Christian church and its leaders

2 Corinthians 12:20; Philippians 3:12 See also 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Corinthians 13:12; Colossians 2:20; Hebrews 5:12; 1 John 1:8; Revelation 3:2,17

See also

4005  creation
5411  mirror
5801  brokenness
6020  sin
6130  corruption
6142  decay
6154  fall, the
6203  mortality
8357  weakness
8734  evil
8741  failure
9020  death