Its Nature

a. Its origin, as regards the human race. The first man and woman, by their own choice, violated the law of God; they sinned against God. Genesis 3:1-24

b. Words, which describe sin in some of its forms. Hebrew "Chata," to go out of the way, to miss the mark. "Pasha," to transgress. "Avah," to twist, to act perversely. Greek "Hamaritia," a missing of the mark. "Paraptoma," a falling away from law, truth, right. "Parabasis," a going over or beyond truth and right, transgression. "Anomia," lawlessness. "Asebeia," irreverence.

c. Definition. "Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God."

Its Extent and Penalty

a. By sinning, our first parents incurred the penalty of eternal death, including loss of communion with God, supremacy of worldly affections, and consequent misery, wretchedness, and pain. Genesis 2:17, Ezekiel 18:4, Matthew 25:46, Romans 5:12, 6:23, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Galatians 6:8, James 1:15

b. Sin natural to every human being, depravity being hereditary. Psalm 51:5, 58:3, Jeremiah 17:9, John 3:6, Romans 5:12-19, 7:14-24, 8:7, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Galatians 5:17, 19-21, Ephesians 2:1, 3

c. All men sinners; therefore subject to same penalty incurred by the first sin. Genesis 6:5, 11, 12, 1 Kings 8:46, 2 Chronicles 6:36, Psalm 53:1-3, Proverbs 20:6, 9, Ecclesiastes 7:20, John 3:19, Romans 3:9-18, 23, 11:32, Galatians 3:22, 1 John 1:8, 10

d. Therefore all need redemption. John 3:5, 6, Romans 5:18, 7:24, 25, 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15, 19, Galatians 3:21, 22, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 2:9, 1 John 2:2