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

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

Our first parents, being seduced by the subtilty and temptation of Satan, sinned, in eating the forbidden fruit. This their sin God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory.

Proof texts

Gen. 3:13 — [13] Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
2 Cor. 11:3 — [3] But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Rom. 11:32 — [32] For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Gen. 3:13 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q15 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q13 · WSC Q15 · WLC Q21 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): this Section proceeds to teach : 1st. That they sinned. 2d. That the particular sin they committed was their eating the forbidden fruit. 3d. That they were seduced thereto by the subtlety and temptation of Satan. 4th. That this sin was permissively embraced in the sovereign purpose of God. 6th. That in so doing God designed to order it to his own glory. 1st. Our first parents sinned. 2d. The particular sin they committed was their eating the forbidden fruit. It appears to be God^s general plan, and one eminently wise and righteous, to introduce all the newcreated subje(;ts of moral government into a state of probation for a time, in which he makes their permanent character and destiny depend…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): That man is now in a very corrupt and sinful state, universal experience and observation attest. That he was not originally formed in this degraded state might be inferred from the character of his Maker ; and the Scriptures explicitly affirm that he was at first created in the image of God — in a state of perfect rectitude. The question then arises, How was moral evil introduced into the world ? To this important question reason can give no satisfactory answer. Pagan philosophers could not fail to observe the degeneracy of human nature ; mournful experience taught them that evil had come into the world ; but to assign the source of evil, was knowledge too wonderful for them…

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

By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion, with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the parts and faculties of soul and body.

Proof texts

Gen. 3:6, 7, 8 — [6] So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. [7] Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. [8] And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Eccles. 7:29
Rom. 3:23 — [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Gen. 2:17 — [17] but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Eph. 2:1 — [1] And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Tit. 1:15
Gen. 6:5 — [5] The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Jer. 17:9 — [9] The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Rom. 3:10 to 19 — [1] Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? [2] Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. [3] What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? [4] By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” [5] But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) [6] By no means! For then how could God judge the world? [7] But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? [8] And why not do evil that good may come? — as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. [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, [10] as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; [11] no one understands; no one seeks for God. [12] All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” [13] “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” [14] “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” [15] “Their feet are swift to shed blood; [16] in their paths are ruin and misery, [17] and the way of peace they have not known.” [18] “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” [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. [20] For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. [21] But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it — [22] the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. [27] Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. [28] For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. [29] Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, [30] since God is one — who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. [31] Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Gen. 3:6, 7, 8 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
9 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q15 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q13 · WSC Q15 · WLC Q21 · WLC Q25 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5 · SC60 2.2 · IAR 4.5 · SHC 2.3 · SHC 2.4 · SD 6.1

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): This Section teaches what w^ere the consequences of this first sin upon its immediate authors. In doing so it affirms — 1st. That by this sin they were immediately cut off from communion with God. 2d. That consequently they lost their original righteousness. 3d. At the same time they became dead in sin and ivholly defiled. 152 C()NFESSIO^' OF FAITH. 4th. That this moral corruption extended to all the faculties and parts of soul and body. As a natural being man depends upon the same sustaining power of God that providentially sustains all things in being. But as a moral and religious being he depends upon the intimate and loving communion of God's Spirit for spiritual life, and consequently for…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): This section points out the consequences of the sin of our first parents, in regard to themselves. They " fell from their * Principal Blackwell's Sacred Scheme, p. 199. t Belfrage's Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, vol. i., p. 178. t Dwight's Theology, Serm. 27. original righteousness," and became wholly corrupted in all the faculties of their souls and members of their bodies. The understanding, once a lamp of light, was now overwhelmed in darkness. The will, once faithful for God, and regulated by his will, now became perverse and rebellious. The affections, once pure and regular, novv became vitiated and disordered. The body, too, was corrupted, and its members became instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. Our first parents likewise…

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

They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation.

Proof texts

Gen. 1:27, 28 & Gen. 2:16, 17 and Acts 17:26 with Rom. 5:12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 1 Cor. 15:21, 22, 49
Ps. 51:5 — [5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Gen. 5:3 — [3] When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
Job 14:4, Job 15:14 — [4] Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Gen. 1:27, 28 & Gen. 2:16, 17 and Acts 17:26 with Rom. 5:12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 1 Cor. 15:21, 22, 49 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q16 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q17 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q16 · WSC Q17 · WSC Q18 · WLC Q22 · WLC Q26 · 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

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): These Sections teach us what were the consequences of the first sin to the descendants of its authors. In doing so our standards affirm — 1st. That Adam was both the natural and federal head of all mankind. Conf. Faith, ch. vii., § 2, and L. Cat., Qs. 22, 25, and S. Cat., Qs. 16, 18. 2d. That consequently the guilt or liability to the penal consequences of that sin was imputed, charged to the account of, and at their birth actually inflicted upon all men. 3d. That consequenMy the moral corruption which results from the penal withdrawing of God's Holy Spirit in the case of our first parents, is necessarily conveyed to all those of their descendants who are…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): These sections point out the consequences of the sin of our first parents in regard to their posterity. These consequences are restricted to those " descending from them by ordinary generation." This restriction is obviously introduced in order to exclude our Lord Jesus Christ, who, as man, was one of the posterity of Adam, but did not descend from him by ordinary generation. The genealogy of Christ is traced up to Adam (Luke iii. 38), but his human nature was supernaturally framed in the womb of the Virgin, by the power of the Holy Ghost. — Luke i. 35. In his birth, therefore, as well as in his life, he was " holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners." But…

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

From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.

Proof texts

Rom. 5:6 — [6] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom. 8:7, Rom. 7:18 — [7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
Col. 1:21 — [21] And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
Gen. 6:5 — [5] The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Gen. 8:21 — [21] And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
Rom. 3:10, 11, 12 — [10] as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; [11] no one understands; no one seeks for God. [12] All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
James 1:14, 15 — [14] But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. [15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Eph. 2:2, 3 — [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — [3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Matt. 15:19 — [19] For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Rom. 5:6 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
9 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q18 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q19 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q18 · WSC Q19 · WLC Q25 · WLC Q26 · WLC Q27 · 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

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): These Sections teach us what were the consequences of the first sin to the descendants of its authors. In doing so our standards affirm — 1st. That Adam was both the natural and federal head of all mankind. Conf. Faith, ch. vii., § 2, and L. Cat., Qs. 22, 25, and S. Cat., Qs. 16, 18. 2d. That consequently the guilt or liability to the penal consequences of that sin was imputed, charged to the account of, and at their birth actually inflicted upon all men. 3d. That consequenMy the moral corruption which results from the penal withdrawing of God's Holy Spirit in the case of our first parents, is necessarily conveyed to all those of their descendants who are…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): These sections point out the consequences of the sin of our first parents in regard to their posterity. These consequences are restricted to those " descending from them by ordinary generation." This restriction is obviously introduced in order to exclude our Lord Jesus Christ, who, as man, was one of the posterity of Adam, but did not descend from him by ordinary generation. The genealogy of Christ is traced up to Adam (Luke iii. 38), but his human nature was supernaturally framed in the womb of the Virgin, by the power of the Holy Ghost. — Luke i. 35. In his birth, therefore, as well as in his life, he was " holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners." But…

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

This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; and although it be, through Christ, pardoned and mortified, yet both itself and all the motions thereof are truly and properly sin.

Proof texts

1 John 1:8, 10 — [8] If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [10] If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Rom. 7:14, 17, 18, 23 — [14] For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. [17] So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. [18] For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
James 3:2 — [2] For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
Prov. 20:9 — [9] Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?
Eccles. 7:20
Rom. 7:5, 7, 8, 25 — [5] For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. [7] What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” [8] But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Gal. 5:17 — [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

For discussion

The Assembly cited 1 John 1:8, 10 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
7 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q17 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q13 · WSC Q17 · WSC Q19 · WLC Q21 · WLC Q27 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5 · SC60 2.2 · IAR 4.5 · SHC 2.3 · SHC 2.4 · SD 6.1

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): these Sections teach as to the moral state of man by nature? 47. What are the several points involved in their teaching. 48. Prove that the doctrine here taught agrees with the universal experience of men. 49. State and prove the several points taught in Scripture as to the nature, extent and time of commencement of human depravity. 60. What subjects are treated of in the fifth and sixth Sections? 51. What is taught as to the continuance and character of corruption in the regenerate ? 52. Prove that the innate and permanent tendency of the soul to sin is as truly a violation of God's law as actual transgression. 53. Prove that this "tendency to sin" and actual transgression…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): This section teaches us, that corruption of nature remains in those that are regenerated, and is commensurate with this life. This condemns the tenet of jChristian ■perfection ; and it is supported by the plainest declarations of Scripture. " If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." — 1 John i. 8. Paul himself says, "Sin dwelleth in me," and affirms, that "when he would do good, evil is present with him." — Rom. vii. 17-21. It has, indeed, been disputed, whether Paul, in that chapter, describes his own feelings, or personates another. We have no doubt that Paul speaks of himself as regenerated, and describes his own state, and…

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

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?
10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q19 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
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

Leader's notes

A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): these Sections teach as to the moral state of man by nature? 47. What are the several points involved in their teaching. 48. Prove that the doctrine here taught agrees with the universal experience of men. 49. State and prove the several points taught in Scripture as to the nature, extent and time of commencement of human depravity. 60. What subjects are treated of in the fifth and sixth Sections? 51. What is taught as to the continuance and character of corruption in the regenerate ? 52. Prove that the innate and permanent tendency of the soul to sin is as truly a violation of God's law as actual transgression. 53. Prove that this "tendency to sin" and actual transgression…

An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): This section relates to the cleseit of sin. Being a transgression of the law of God, it must, in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner, or render him liable to punishment. '^ It exposes him to the irrath of God, for " the children of disobedience " are also " children of wrath," i. e., they deserve and are obnoxious to the wrath of God. It subjects him to j the curse of the law, by which we may undei-stand the con- * Burnet on the Thirty- Nine Articloa, Art. 9. Hill's Lectures in Divinity vo3. ii., p. 16. demnatory sentence of the broken law, which binds over the guilty sinner to all the direful effects of the…