The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 1301-Q, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 19."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1980. All Rights Reserved.

Question

Are there degrees of sin? We know that all sin is against God, and I know in my mind I think that there are degrees in my mind that one sin is worse than the other.

Answer

Well, the only indication biblically we have that there are degrees of sin, is the statement that I can think of off the top of my head in Hebrews 10:26 and following, it says, “Of how much sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy as trodden under foot the Son of God on account of the blood of the covenant an unholy thing.” Of how much greater punishment shall he be thought worthy, indicates that there are degrees of punishment. If there are degrees of punishment, there must be degrees of sin. At least there is a difference between sins of deed and sins of faith toward God or toward Christ. Those are the severer sins. The sins of the apostate or the heretic are the severer ones. Now, when you are coming down to whether it is worse to steal, lie, or whatever, it is very difficult biblically to see any distinction in those.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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