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
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
The universe is in subjection to sin
Galatians 3:22 See also Romans 5:21, Romans 11:32
But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
Sin is inherent in human nature
Sinfulness from birth
Psalm 51:5 See also Job 25:4; Psalm 58:3
Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
The sinful heart
Genesis 6:5 See also Genesis 8:21; Ecclesiastes 9:3; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19 parallel Mark 7:21
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.
The sinful nature
Ephesians 2:3 See also Romans 8:6–8; Galatians 5:19–21
All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
The universality of sin
No-one is righteous
Romans 3:9–19 See also Psalm 5:9, Psalm 10:7, Psalm 14:1–3 parallel 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 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:36; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 1:18–32; James 3:2
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
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 parallels Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19; 1 John 1:10
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
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
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.