WCF 6.6

6.6. Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof

Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto, doth, in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner; whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God, and curse of the law, and so made subject to death, with all miseries spiritual, temporal, and eternal.

Proof texts

• 1 John 3:4 — [4] Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
• Rom. 2:15 — [15] They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
• Rom. 3:9, 19 — [9] What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, [19] Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
• Ephes. 2:3
• Gal. 3:10 — [10] For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
• Rom. 6:23 — [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Ephes. 4:18
• Rom. 8:20 — [20] For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
• Lam. 3:39 — [39] Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins?
• Matt. 25:41, 2 Thess. 1:9 — [41] “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited 1 John 3:4 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q19 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q84 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q19 · WSC Q84 · WLC Q28 · WLC Q29 · WLC Q152 · WLC Q21 · WSC Q13 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · HC Q3 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5 · SD 6.1 · IAR 4.5 · SC60 2.2 · SHC 2.3 · SHC 2.4