Origins of the Topic
What exactly is sin?
The word "sin" is one of the most-often used words in the Bible, yet it is not well defined. There are many definitions that are close to "it is the separation of man from God." Yet, this describes the consequences of sin and not sin itself. Many denominations have problems identifying what things are a sin and what things are permissible under God's Word.
Commentary: The key to understanding sin is the understanding of a Hebrew idiom (a idiom is the use of a specific word, words, or expression that mean something other than how the words or expression are formally defined - very similar to "slang"). The expression "good eye" is a idiom meaning "unselfish" (it can also appear as "bountiful eye" and "single eye"). Likewise, the expression "evil eye" means "selfish." This explains all references to sin in the Bible. Things that are sins are selfish and things that are righteous are unselfish. Compare eating vs. the sin of gluttony - eating is required to survive (not selfish) but gluttony is eating for the joy (i.e. selfishness) of eating. Every sin has a basis in selfishness (murder, theft, greed, jealosy, coveting, adultery, etc.). Sin cannot exist without selfishness.
Old Testament
Being selfish is a sin - Key Verse - 
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Deuteronomy 15:1-2,9-10 [1] At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. [2] And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord's release. [9] Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. [10] Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. Commentary: Refusing to lend in the seventh year because you are not likely to see it returned is identified as a sin because of selfishness ("eye be evil"). Likewise, we are commanded to not only give, but to do so without being grieved (i.e. to be unselfish) because God blesses people that are unselfish.
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| Tribulation will show the selfishness of people that hide their selfishness |
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Deuteronomy 28:49-56 [49] The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; [50] A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: [51] And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee. [52] And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the Lord thy God hath given thee. [53] And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the Lord thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: [54] So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave: [55] So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates. [56] The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter, Commentary: Even people that seem to be unselfish ("tender and delicate") will show their selfishness ("eye shall be evil") when tribulation occurs.
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A bountiful eye is unselfish - Key Verse -
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Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
Commentary: This is an example of a bountiful eye meaning unselfishness ("giveth of his bread to the poor").
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| Do not desire the things that a selfish person has. Seek instruction and knowledge (wisdom) |
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Proverbs 23:1-12 [1] When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: [2] And put a knife to thy Throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. [3] Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. [4] Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. [5] Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. [6] Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: [7] For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. [8] The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. [9] Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. [10] Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: [11] For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee. [12] Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. Commentary: Compare these verses ("For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he") with Matthew 6:22-24 ("For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also").
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New Testament
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Unselfishness (good eye) serves God and selfishness (evil eye) serves mammon (the world) - Key Verse -
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Matthew 6:21-24 [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! [24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Commentary: There is no better set of verses that describe the essence of the gospel. Understanding that these verses talk about unselfishness ("eye be single") and selfishness ("eye be evil") makes the last verse very clear - a person cannot be both unselfish and selfish. You have to be one or the other. You either serve God (and be unselfish) or you serve the world (and be selfish).
Note: The common misinterpretation of "eye be single" is "to be focused." This is substituting an English colloquialism for a Hebrew colloquialism and is not a correct interpretation. |
| You cannot see clearly your own sins or the sins of others until you become unselfish (cast the beam out of your eye) |
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Matthew 7:1-5 [1] Judge not, that ye be not judged. [2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. [3] And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? [4] Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? [5] Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Commentary: Compare with Luke 6:41-45. The use of "eyes" in these verses do have a connection with the concept of "good eye" and "evil eye."
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Being selfish is having an evil eye - Key Verse -
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Matthew 20:8-15 [8] So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. [9] And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. [10] But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. [11] And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, [12] Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. [13] But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? [14] Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. [15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? Commentary: The parable starts in Matthew 20:1, but these verses highlight that the people that expected more than the penney that they were promised were being selfish for wanting more ("Is thine eye evil").
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Being selfish is a sin just like the other sins listed here - Key Verse -
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Mark 7:21-23 [21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: [23] All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Commentary: The phrase "evil eye" (selfishness) is listed among this list of sins.
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| You cannot see clearly your own sins or the sins of others until you become unselfish (cast the beam out of your eye) |
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Luke 6:41-45 [41] And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? [42] Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye. [43] For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [44] For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. [45] A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Commentary: These verses are a better illustration of the concept of selfishness and unselfishness described by the motes in the eyes. These verses compare with Matthew 6:21-24 that what is in your heart is where your treasure lies - a good heart brings forth good fruit and an evil heart brings forth evil fruit.
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Unselfishness (eye be single) is light and selfishness (evil eye) is darkness - Key Verse -
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Luke 11:33-36 [33] No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. [34] The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. [35] Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. [36] If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. Commentary: These verses of the same parable in Matthew 6:21-24 further explains the connection between unselfishness and light and selfishness and darkness. Wherever light or darkness are used in the Bible, you can substitute unselfishness and selfishness.
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Book of Mormon
| There is not a complete list of sins |
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Mosiah 2:48 - And finally, I can not tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin: for there are divers ways and means, even so many, that I can not number them.
Commentary: There is not a defined list of sins. This is why the lists of do's and dont's in the Old Testament were not enough. The concept of sin is more than lists. Sin is selfishness in any form.
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We are commanded to be unselfish (look forward with one eye) - Key Verse -
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Mosiah 9:54 - And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism; having their hearts knit together in unity and in love, one towards another.
Commentary: The phrase "look forward with one eye" is the same as "eye be single" in Matthew 6:22 and means unselfishness. This is consistent with "no contention" and "love, one towards another." Love is perfect unselfishness.
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The records that contain the gospel will only be brought forth by someone who is unselfish - Key Verse -
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Mormon 4:17-19 [17] I am the son of Mormon, and my father was a descendant of Nephi; and I am the same who hideth up this record unto the Lord; the plates thereof are of no worth, because of the commandment of the Lord. [18] For he truly saith, that no one shall have them to get gain; but the record thereof is of great worth; and whoso shall bring it to light, him will the Lord bless. [19] For no one can have power to bring it to light, save it be given him of God; for God will that it shall be done with an eye single to his glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lord. Commentary: The use of "eye single to his glory" confirms that this phrase and the phrase in Matthew 6:22 ("eye be single") means unselfishness ("no one shall have them to get gain") and does not mean "being focused."
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Statements of Belief
- No Found or Stated Position
- Consistent with Scripture
- Partially Consistent with Scripture
- Inconsistent with ScriptureAnabaptism -
Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, 1995, Article 7: Sin is turning away from God and making gods of creation and of ourselves. We sin by making individual and group choices to do unrighteousness and injustice. We sin by omitting to do good and neglecting to give God the glory due our Creator and Redeemer. In sinning, we become unfaithful to the covenant with God and with God's people, destroy right relationships, use power selfishly, do violence, and become separated from God. As a result, we are not able to worship God rightly...Sin is a reality, not an illusion. We cannot explain away sin by blaming it on illness or by claiming we are victims of circumstances or of evil. Sin involves personal responsibility and has real consequences...Sin is thus not only an individual matter, but involves groups, nations, and structures...Thus, sin is fundamentally unfaithfulness to our relationship with God and disobedience to God's will. Unrighteousness and injustice include all sin...Sin is part of the human condition; we all participate in it...Human sinfulness affects the entire person. No one aspect of human beings, such as reason or sexuality or the physical body, should be singled out as the primary carrier of sinfulness. Giving way to the "flesh" is expressed in a variety of sinful attitudes and behaviors.
Commentary: This discussion talks around what sin is but does not really provide a clear description of what sin actually is.
Anglican -
Sin and Redemption
Q. What is sin?
A. Sin is the seeking of our own will instead of the will of God, thus distorting our relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation.
Q. How does sin have power over us?
A. Sin has power over us because we lose our liberty when our relationship with God is distorted.
Q. What is sin?
A. Sin is the seeking of our own will instead of the will of God, thus distorting our relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation.
Q. How does sin have power over us?
A. Sin has power over us because we lose our liberty when our relationship with God is distorted.
Commentary: The concept of "seeking our own will" is essentially the same as selfishness, which is consistent with the scriptures. Sin having power over us due to a distorted relationship with God is not addressed in the scriptures as much as it is an issue of free agency to pursue selfishness as stated in Matthew 6:24, "either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other."
Assyrian Church -
Church of Christ -
Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches) -
RLDS Doctrine and Covenants, Section 4:1b-1e [1b] therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day; [1c] therefore, if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work, for, behold, the field is white already to harvest, [1d] and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perish not, but bringeth salvation to his soul; [1e] and faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualifies him for the work.
RLDS Doctrine and Covenants, Section 81:4e-4g [4e] And you are to be equal, or in other words, you are to have equal claims on the properties, for the benefit of managing the concerns of your stewardships, every man according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just; [4f] and all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents; [4g] yea, even an hundredfold, to be cast into the Lord's storehouse, to become the common property of the whole church, every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.
RLDS Doctrine and Covenants, Section 81:4e-4g [4e] And you are to be equal, or in other words, you are to have equal claims on the properties, for the benefit of managing the concerns of your stewardships, every man according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just; [4f] and all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents; [4g] yea, even an hundredfold, to be cast into the Lord's storehouse, to become the common property of the whole church, every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.
Commentary: The use of "eye single to the glory of God" associated with serving God and unselfish behavior ("every man seeking the interest of his neighbor") are consistent with the scriptures.
(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -
Community of Christ -
Eastern Orthodox -
Islam -
Jehovah's Witnesses -
watchtower.org: The Originator of Evil - Jesus identified the principal reason for the existence of evil. Addressing the religious leaders who were intent on killing him, he said: “You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a manslayer when he began.” (John 8:44) It was Satan who for selfish reasons enticed Adam and Eve into rebelling against God. That rebellion introduced sin—and thus death—to all mankind...If evil is to be permanently eliminated from human society, man’s inborn inclination toward badness, his lack of accurate knowledge, and Satan’s influence must be addressed...You may ask, though, ‘If Jesus’ death some 2,000 years ago made it possible for mankind to regain perfection, why do evil and death still exist?’ Finding an answer to that question can help banish the second cause for evil—man’s ignorance of God’s purposes...Gaining accurate knowledge of what Jehovah and Jesus are now doing to eliminate evil may prevent a sincere person from unwittingly condoning evil acts, or worse, becoming a fighter “actually against God.” (Acts 5:38, 39)
Commentary: There is a brief statement about selfishness, but this is the only reference to selfishness found. The primary and secondary reasons for sin (the devil and ignorance), do not address the true definition of sin. The scriptures do state that study and prayer to gain knowledge and understanding is part of what is required to understand God's Word, but knowledge about sin is not the same as "what is" sin.
Judaism -
Lutheran -
Methodist -
Pentecostal -
"All Unrighteousness Is Sin": 1 John 5:17 declares this truth. A person is unrighteous when he does what is wrong. According to this verse, then, when someone does wrong, he commits sin.
We should note that all unrighteousness is sin. Men are prone to classify sin as little or great, black or gray, mortal or venial. But to God, all sin is offensive and objectionable. As an example of the difference between man's and God's judgment of sin, man classifies the sin of lying as one of the lesser evils, but God places "all liars" in the same category as the abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, and idolaters (Revelation 21:8). Moreover, He pronounces the same judgment upon all of these sinners? Eternal perdition in the lake of fire and brimstone.
What then is sin? Simply put, sin is doing what God forbids or failing to do what He commands.
We should note that all unrighteousness is sin. Men are prone to classify sin as little or great, black or gray, mortal or venial. But to God, all sin is offensive and objectionable. As an example of the difference between man's and God's judgment of sin, man classifies the sin of lying as one of the lesser evils, but God places "all liars" in the same category as the abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, and idolaters (Revelation 21:8). Moreover, He pronounces the same judgment upon all of these sinners? Eternal perdition in the lake of fire and brimstone.
What then is sin? Simply put, sin is doing what God forbids or failing to do what He commands.
Commentary: This explanation is consistent with the scriptures, but does not include all sin. The 600+ laws given in the Old Testament were examples, but not all-inclusive. When the true laws are given in the first and second parts of the great commandment, Matthew 22:37,39, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" and "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," these are the entire law (Matthew 22:40 - On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets). These two commandments forbid nothing. Also, the above definition does not explain in practical terms what is considered failure to do these commands.
While the Book of Mormon is not scripture to the Pentecostal Church, the best summary of this commentary is given in Mosiah 2:48, "And finally, I can not tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin: for there are divers ways and means, even so many, that I can not number them."
While the Book of Mormon is not scripture to the Pentecostal Church, the best summary of this commentary is given in Mosiah 2:48, "And finally, I can not tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin: for there are divers ways and means, even so many, that I can not number them."
Presbyterian -
Roman Catholic -
NEW AGE AND CHRISTIAN FAITH IN CONTRAST - Sin is an offense against reason, truth and right conscience; it is a failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity...(80)Sin is an offense against God... sin sets itself against God's love for us and turns our hearts away from it... Sin is thus 'love of oneself even to contempt of God'”
Compendium OF THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH - 395. When does one commit a mortal sin?
One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.
396. When does one commit a venial sin?
One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.
Compendium OF THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH - 395. When does one commit a mortal sin?
One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.
396. When does one commit a venial sin?
One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.
Commentary: The statement, "love of oneself even to contempt of God," is an accurate statement. However, the division of sins (mortal and venial) are not consistent with the scriptures where no disctinction is made between the most and least of sins and the least sins are held against a person (see Matthew 5:18-19, "one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law").
Seventh-Day Adventist Church -
Southern Baptist Convention -