Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6010 Sin  »  6020 sin  »  6023 sin, universality of

All human beings sin and are guilty in the sight of God on account of an inherently sinful disposition, which can be traced back to Adam. Acts of sin thus arise from a sinful human heart. The basis of cleansing and cancellation of “original sin” is the atoning death of Jesus Christ.

Adam, the cause of universal sin

Romans 5:19 See also Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22

The universe is in subjection to sin

Galatians 3:22 See also Romans 5:21; Romans 11:32

Sin is inherent in human nature

Sinfulness from birth

Psalm 51:5 See also Job 25:4; Psalm 58:3

The sinful heart

Genesis 6:5 See also Genesis 8:21; Ecclesiastes 9:3; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19 pp Mark 7:21

The sinful nature

Ephesians 2:3 See also Romans 8:6-8; Galatians 5:19-21

The universality of sin

No-one is righteous

Romans 3:9-19 See also Psalm 5:9; Psalm 10:7; Psalm 14:1-3 pp Psalm 53:1-3; Psalm 36:1; Psalm 140:3; Isaiah 59:7-8

All have sinned

Romans 3:23 See also Genesis 6:11-12; 1 Kings 8:46 pp 2 Chronicles 6:36; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 1:18-32; James 3:2

Everyone is sinful in God's sight

1 John 1:8 See also Psalm 130:3; Psalm 143:2; Proverbs 20:9; Isaiah 64:6-7; Matthew 19:17 pp Mark 10:18 pp Luke 18:19; 1 John 1:10

Some characters in Scripture are described as being blameless in comparison with their contemporaries

Genesis 5:24 Enoch; Genesis 6:9 Noah; 1 Kings 15:5 David

Jesus Christ alone is sinless

Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22 See also Isaiah 53:9; Luke 23:47; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 John 3:5

See also

2075  Christ, sinless
4005  creation
5020  human nature
5080  Adam
6115  blame
6160  fathers, sin of
8201  blamelessness