5. Man’s Sin and Its Effects

The Origin of Sin

God originally created man innocent and righteous, without stain or corruption.[1] In this state, Adam and Eve enjoyed a fullness of life in communion with God, delighting in him and his righteous will yet capable of transgressing.[2] Despite these privileges, they were led astray by Satan[3] and willfully sinned against their Creator by doing what he had forbidden.[4] In their rebellion they doubted his character, rejected his authority, and disobeyed his word.[5] Man’s trespass of God’s command[6] brought enmity with God[7] and the curse of death.[8] Because God had established Adam as the representative head of the human race,[9] his sin was imputed to all his descendants, bringing guilt, condemnation, and death to humanity.[10] Therefore, we are all by nature corrupt[11] and inclined to evil from conception.[12] 

 

The Effects of Sin

From the inherited corruption of humanity[13] arise all the sins that we commit.[14] All people are now by nature enemies of God,[15] living under the power of Satan,[16] subject to the curse of the law,[17] and deserving of eternal punishment.[18] Moreover, the whole nature of man has been corrupted by the fall, and no part of man is untainted by sin.[19] Although fallen people remain in the image of God[20] and manifest the virtues of common grace, they are incapable of pleasing God,[21] meriting his favor,[22] or freeing themselves from their bondage to sin.[23] Their hearts are hardened,[24] their understanding is darkened,[25] their consciences are corrupted,[26] their spiritual sight is blinded,[27]and their deeds are evil.[28] Therefore, all people are dead in sin and without hope apart from salvation in Jesus Christ.[29] 

The curse of the fall corrupted not only mankind but the entire created order, subjecting the world to futility, decay, and death.[30] Both the cursed creation and moral evil produce calamity, suffering, hostility, and injustice in the world.[31] The groaning of the created order reminds us of our fallenness and causes us to long for the redemption of all things under Christ.[32]


[1] Gen 1:27, 31; Eccles 7:29.

[2] Gen 2:7-9, 15-17. 

[3] Gen 3:13; 2 Cor 11:3.

[4] Gen 3:6-7.

[5] Gen 2:17; 3:1-6.

[6] Gen 3:17; Rom 5:18-19.  

[7] Gen 3:8-10; Isa 59:2.

[8] Gen 2:16-17; Rom 5:12.

[9] Rom 5:12-19; 1 Cor 15:22, 49.

[10] 1 Cor 15:21-22; Rom 5:12-18.

[11] Gen 6:5; Job 14:4; 15:14; Jer 17:9; Eph 2:3.

[12] Ps 51:5; Gen 8:21; Rom 3:23.

[13] Rom 5:12; Eph 2:3.

[14] Ps 14:3; 51:1-5; 58:3; James 1:14; Matt 15:19. 

[15] Eph 2:3; Rom 5:10; 8:7. 

[16] John 8:44; Acts 26:18; 2 Tim 2:26; 2 Cor 4:4; 1 John 5:19; Eph 2:2.

[17] Gal 3:10; Rom 4:15; Deut 28:45.

[18] Dan 12:2; Matt 25:46; Rev 20:14-15; Rom 1:32; 6:23. 

[19] Gen 6:5; Rom 3:10-18; 7:18; Eph 2:3; Jer 17:9.

[20] Gen 9:6; James 3:9.

[21] Rom 8:8; Heb 11:6.

[22] Isa 64:6; Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16.

[23] John 8:34; Eph 2:1-2.

[24] Eph 4:18; Matt 13:15.

[25] Rom 1:18-23, 28; Eph 4:18.

[26] Titus 1:15; 1 Tim 4:2. 

[27] 2 Cor 4:4; John 9:39; Rom 11:8.

[28] Isa 64:6; John 3:19; Col 1:21.

[29] Eph 2:12-13.

[30] Gen 3:14-19; Rom 8:19-25.

[31] Eccles 4:1; Matt 24:7; John 16:33; Titus 3:3.

[32] Rom 8:22-23; 1 Cor 15:24-25; Heb 2:8; Rev 21:4.