Are all sins equal?

This post comes from Philip Nunn, a missionary in Colombia.

Roman Catholic doctrine distinguishes two categories of sins, venial and mortal. A venial sin is a slight fault that does not break friendship with God, although it weakens it. On the other hand, a mortal sin is a serious transgression that completely separates the person from God’s grace. According to this doctrine, at death, venial sins are purified in purgatory in order to enter heaven clean.

To correct this unbiblical distinction, some non-Catholic believers claim that all sins are equal. It is true that all sin is a violation of God’s good will and that all sin creates a distance between the sinner and God (Isa. 59:2; Rom. 6:23). Sin is a serious thing and we must avoid it and, if we have sinned, we must confess it and turn from it. The question is: are all sins equal?

According to the Bible the answer is ‘no’. It is true that all sin is sin, but God’s word shows us that some sins are greater or more serious than others. Consider the following:

• John 19:11 “Jesus answered: You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” This suggests that one sin may be greater than another.
• 1 John 5:16-17 “If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.” There are some sins that may lead to physical death and others that may not. Therefore, not all sins are the same.
• Matthew 12:31 “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” The Holy Spirit seeks to convince us that we are sinners and motivates us to repent, receive God’s forgiveness, and give our lives to the Lord Jesus. The sin of resisting this work of the Holy Spirit until the day of our death will not be forgiven. After death there is no forgiveness.

The degree of punishment reflects the seriousness of the sin. The greater the sin, the greater is its punishment. The Bible shows us that there are three things that increase punishment. These three things help us understand how God views sin.

1. Sin is greater if its consequences are greater

Every country has traffic rules. Some violations are more serious than others. A ticket for wrong parking is usually less than that for running a red light or driving while intoxicated. Every transgression is punished; every sin is sin. But the fine is higher if the infringement is more serious. Similarly, a sin is greater if the negative consequences generated by the sin are greater.

• Deuteronomy 25:2 “If the guilty person deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make them lie down and have them flogged in his presence with the number of lashes the crime deserves.”

It is a sin to covet someone else’s procession (Rom. 7:7). But if you steal it, you can be sentenced to years in prison. That is because the sin of stealing is a greater sin than the sin of coveting. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus reminded them that adultery is a sin. Then he added, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mt, 5:28). Physical adultery is a greater sin than adultery of the heart. Both are sin and both are displeasing to the Lord, but consequences of physical adultery are greater.

2. Sin is greater if knowledge is greater

If you park your car where it is forbidden to park without knowing that it is forbidden, you will receive a fine. The fine does not depend on your level of knowledge. But with God it is different. The more we know, the more responsible we are, and therefore, by transgressing, we are more guilty. The sin of a young man raised in a Christian home is more serious than the same sin done by a young man who knows little of God’s will.

• Luke 12:47-48 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
• Matthew 10:14-15 “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
• Matthew 11:23-24 “And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles  that  were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

In anticipation of the Lord Jesus’ death for our sins, every Israelite who sinned was to bring to the temple  an offering  for their sin. But the offering was only accepted for accidental sins. There was no offering for sins committed deliberately, out of rebellion.

• Leviticus 4:2 “Say to the Israelites: When anyone sins unintentionally (involuntarily, invertedly) and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands…” A sin committed in rebellion, knowing that it is a sin, is a greater

3. The sin is greater if the one who commits the sin has a greater rank

If a mayor and a teacher commit a traffic violation, their fine will be the same. But with God it is different. The higher our office or rank, the more responsible we are, and therefore by transgressing  we are more guilty before God. When a mother lies,  it is a greater sin than when her teenage daughter lies. When a church leader commits adultery, it is a more serious sin than when a member of the congregation commits adultery. This distinction is reflected in the law that God gave to Israel and in James’ commentary.

• Leviticus 4. This chapter describes the different sacrifices that could be offered for sin. When an ‘anointed priest’ sinned, he was to bring and offer a ‘bull’ for his sin (4:3). When a ‘leader’ sinned, he was to bring and offer a ‘male goat’ for his sin (4:22-23). And when a ‘member of the community’ sinned he was to bring and offer a ‘female goat’ (4:28) or a ‘lamb’ (4:32). The greater the position or rank of the sinner, the larger the sacrificial animal.
• James 3:1 “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”

Conclusion

All sin offends God, whether great or small. There are no good sins. The fact that some sins are greater than others is no reason to tolerate sin in our lives or to fear that some great sin we commit will cause us to lose the salvation we have already received.

By believing in the Lord Jesus (acknowledging that I am a sinner, that the Lord Jesus bore the penalty of my sin on the cross, and giving my life to Him), the blood [death] of Jesus “purifies us from all sin” (1 Jn. 1:7). There is no sin too bad or great that is  not forgiven  at the moment of our conversion. Some call this God’s legal (or judical or positional) forgiveness. Receiving this forgiveness changes our position forever. From that moment on, God considers us His children, we are righteous and holy in His sight. We are then encouraged live according to our new position.

When we sin as children of God, our fellowship (harmony in our relationship) with God is disrupted. As soon as we are aware that we have sinned, we should repent and confess that sin to the Lord, for “He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9). Some call this God’s paternal (or parental or practical) forgiveness. By receiving this forgiveness, our fellowship with God is restored. Living every moment in fellowship with God is the sincere desire of every child of God, and also the desire of our heavenly Father.

Acknowledgement

This post comes from Philip Nunn, a missionary in Colombia.

Also see: What about unconfessed trespasses?
If a Christian dies with unconfessed sin, will they go to heaven?

Posted, September 2026