Sin and Human Nature
Westminster Shorter Catechism · Q13–Q20
Q13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.
Proof texts
- Gen. 3:6-8,13 — [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. [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.”
- Ecc. 7:29 — [29] See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gen. 3:6-8,13 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- HC Q3 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q14. What is sin?
Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.
Proof texts
- 1 John 3:4 — [4] Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
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?
- WLC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q24 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q21 · WLC Q24 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Q15. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.
Proof texts
- Gen. 3:6,12 — [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. [12] The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gen. 3:6,12 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- WLC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- HC Q3 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q21 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Q16. Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?
The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.
Proof texts
- Gen. 2:16-17 — [16] And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, [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.”
- Rom. 5:12 — [12] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned —
- 1 Cor. 15:21-22 — [21] For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gen. 2:16-17 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?
- WLC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q22 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q21 · WLC Q22 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Q17. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
Proof texts
- Rom. 5:12 — [12] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned —
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Rom. 5:12 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- WLC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q23 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q21 · WLC Q23 · WLC Q25 · WLC Q27 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Q18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.
Proof texts
- Rom. 5:12,19 — [12] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned — [19] For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
- Rom. 5:10-20 — [10] For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. [11] More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. [12] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned — [13] for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. [14] Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. [15] But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. [16] And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. [17] For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. [18] Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. [19] For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. [20] Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
- Eph. 2:1-3 — [1] And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [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.
- Jas. 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.
- 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. 5:12,19 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q25 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q21 · WLC Q25 · WLC Q26 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Q19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?
All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.
Proof texts
- Gen. 3:8,10,24 — [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. [10] And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” [24] He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
- 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.
- 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.”
- Lam. 3:39 — [39] Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins?
- 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.
- Matt. 25:41,46 — [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. [46] And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gen. 3:8,10,24 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q21 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q27 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q21 · WLC Q27 · WLC Q28 · WLC Q29 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Q20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer.
Proof texts
- Eph. 1:4 — [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
- Rom. 3:20-22 — [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:
- Gal. 3:21-22 — [21] Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. [22] But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Eph. 1:4 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?
- WLC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q31 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WLC Q30 · WLC Q31 · WLC Q32 · HC Q29 · BC 5.2 · BC 5.3 · BC 5.4 · BC 5.5 · BC 5.6