Is all sin equal or are there really mortal & venial sins?
Common Misunderstanding: Many Protestants say that all sin is the same in the sight of God. Others, while they admit that some sins are worse than others, argue that all sins, if not forgiven, bring death to the soul. When they assert this, they imply that Catholics are being soft on sin, not being rigorous enough.
Response: We must look at all the relevant passages of Scripture. Protestants will quote, "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23), and "The soul that sins shall die" (Ezek. 18:4), but they overlook 1 John 5:17, "Not all sin is mortal." Jesus, St. John and St. Paul indicate that some sins are greater or lesser than others, building off the Jewish understanding that sins committed intentionally were more serious.
Source: Scripture
John 19:11 - Jesus says before Pilate, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin." Hence, Jesus recognizes a greater and lesser degree of sin.
1 John 5:16-17 - If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.
The references above to deadly sin probably refer to apostasy (Matt. 12:31, 32) or to activities brought on under the antichrist, or sins similar to the "serious sin" passages of St. Paul (Rom 1:28-32, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, Gal. 5:16-21). In these passages St. Paul says that those who commit these sins will not inherit the Kingdom of God and deserve to die. This implies other sins that do not incur the penalty of death.
The mind of the Church in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
This subject is dealt with in the Catechism.
CCC 1854-1864 - "The Gravity of Sin: Mortal and Venial Sin."
1852 - 1853 - for the differentiation of sins.
1858 - For the differing gravity of sins see.
1859 - for a definition of full knowledge and complete consent.
1860 - for the difference caused by ignorance or malice.
1861 - for mortal sin itself.
For the definition and conditions of mortal sin by the Church see # 1857. Three conditions apply. It must be a sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.
Common Misunderstanding: Many Protestants say that all sin is the same in the sight of God. Others, while they admit that some sins are worse than others, argue that all sins, if not forgiven, bring death to the soul. When they assert this, they imply that Catholics are being soft on sin, not being rigorous enough.
Response: We must look at all the relevant passages of Scripture. Protestants will quote, "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23), and "The soul that sins shall die" (Ezek. 18:4), but they overlook 1 John 5:17, "Not all sin is mortal." Jesus, St. John and St. Paul indicate that some sins are greater or lesser than others, building off the Jewish understanding that sins committed intentionally were more serious.
Source: Scripture
John 19:11 - Jesus says before Pilate, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin." Hence, Jesus recognizes a greater and lesser degree of sin.
1 John 5:16-17 - If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.
The references above to deadly sin probably refer to apostasy (Matt. 12:31, 32) or to activities brought on under the antichrist, or sins similar to the "serious sin" passages of St. Paul (Rom 1:28-32, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, Gal. 5:16-21). In these passages St. Paul says that those who commit these sins will not inherit the Kingdom of God and deserve to die. This implies other sins that do not incur the penalty of death.
The mind of the Church in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
This subject is dealt with in the Catechism.
CCC 1854-1864 - "The Gravity of Sin: Mortal and Venial Sin."
1852 - 1853 - for the differentiation of sins.
1858 - For the differing gravity of sins see.
1859 - for a definition of full knowledge and complete consent.
1860 - for the difference caused by ignorance or malice.
1861 - for mortal sin itself.
For the definition and conditions of mortal sin by the Church see # 1857. Three conditions apply. It must be a sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.