This document summarizes the key points about the nature of human sinfulness from a biblical and theological perspective. It discusses that there are two basic kinds of sin: sins of commission which is doing what we should not do, and sins of omission which is not doing what we should do. It also lists seven detestable sins according to Proverbs 6:16-19. Theologically, sin is defined as anything that falls short of God's perfect moral nature. Some of the attributes that define God and their absence which defines sin are that God is holy but sin is being unholy, God is just but sin is unrighteousness, and God is love but sin is being unloving.

1. Systematic Theology II
Chapter Fifty-Six
“The Nature of Sin”
PPt by Mark E. Hardgrove, PhD, DMin

2. Biblical Basis for
the Nature of Human Sinfulness
Two basic kinds of sin:
1. Sins of Commission: doing what
we should not.
2. Sins of Omission: not doing what
we should do.

3. Biblical Basis for
the Nature of Human Sinfulness
Seven Detestable sins (Prov. 6:16-19):
• Proverbs 6:16-19 (New International Version)
• 16 There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
• 17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
• 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
• 19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

4. The Chief Names for Sin
Sin: The Hebrew world often translated “sin” is
chata, meaning “to miss,” “to forfeit,” or “to
lack.” The basic Greeek word for sin is harmartia,
which means “to miss the mark,” “to err,” “to
sin.”
Trespass: The Hebrew root word is maal, which
means “to cover up,” “to act covertly, that is,
treacherously, or grievously.” Trespass is
paraptoma which means “to slip,” “to lapse,” “to
fall,” “to stumble aside,” “to offend,” or “to sin.”

5. The Chief Names for Sin
Iniquity: The Hebrew is avon, which means
“perversity,” “fault,” “iniquity.” The Greek word is
adikia, meaning “morally wrong,” “unjust,”
“unrighteous.”
Evil: The Hebrew root word is ra, which means
“bad,” “harmful,” “wrong,” even “calamity.” The
Greek words for evil are poneros, meaning “evil in
effect.”
Wickedness: The Hebrew rasha, which means
“morally bad” or “ungodly.”

6. The Nature of Sin in
Relation to God
Sin as Unbelief: “Without faith it is impossible
to please God” (Heb. 11:6).
Sin as Rebellion: “Rebellion [is as] the sin of
witchcraft . . .” (1 Sam. 15:23)
Sin as Transgression: (Rom. 5:17; 1 John 3:4; Ps.
51:4)
Sin as Pride: At the root of all sin is pride (1 Tim.
3:6)

7. Degrees of Sin
Contrary to widely held opinion, not all sins are
considered (by God) to be equal.
Jesus said there were “weightier matters of the
law” (Matt. 23:23, KJV), such as for example,
mercy and justice over tithing. (Matt. 22:38;
John 19:11). The more severe eternal
punishment for some is due to the heaviness of
the sins they have committed (Rev. 20:12; cf.
also, 1 John 5:16; 1 Cor. 11:29-30; Matt. 12:32)

8. Theological Basis for the
Nature of Human Sinfulness
From a theological standpoint, sin is anything that falls short of God’s
perfect moral nature.
1. God is Holy
2. Sin is being Unholy
3. God is Just (Righteousness)
4. Sin is Unrighteousness (Injustice)
5. God is Perfect
6. Sin is Moral Imperfection
7. God is Jealous
8. Sin is the Absence of Godly Jealousy and the Presence of
Ungodly Jealousy (Envy)
9. God is Love
10. Sin is being Unloving
11. God is Truth
12. Sin is being Untruthful