Is Every Sin the Same to God?

Type of Doctrine: Tertiary

" . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . ."

-Romans 3:23 ESV

Why Does It Matter?

You might hear the message in teaching, preaching, music, or casual conversation: Every sin is the same to God. It is often meant as an encouragement. But is this message true? Are all sins the same to God? This article will explore two views and cover some key Scriptures.

Though aspects of the doctrine of sin are undoubtedly primary or secondary in nature, this particular question is typically thought of as a tertiary issue. In other words, well-meaning Christians can generally disagree on this topic without it affecting the church one attends.

What Is It?

Many assume that all sins are the same to God. But there are two main views on this topic. Some say, "Yes, all sins are the same in God's eyes." On the other hand, others say, "No, all sins are not the same in God's eyes."

Kevin DeYoung has helpfully pointed out why many Christians try to emphasize that all sins are the same in God's eyes:

"Many Christians hold to the mistaken notion that every sin is the same in God's eyes. Some Christians embrace this conviction by way of a misguided theological calculation [since all sin deserves eternal judgment] . . . Others promote the idea for apologetic reasons [when showing that one's sins are not worse than another's] . . . Still others believe in the equality of every sin out of genuine sense of humility [not wanting to look down upon others]."[1]

Undoubtedly, there is some confusion on this topic due to semantics and unclear language. Precision can help bring clarity. I suspect that the answer to this question is both "yes" and "no." In other words, the answer is "yes" in some ways while in other ways it is "no."

Here are a few examples:

• Is every sin the same to God in the sense that it deserves eternal condemnation? Yes.

• Does God see every sin as equally heinous? No.

• Are the consequences for every sin the same? No.

• Should we pridefully look down upon other people because of their sin? No.

• Does every type of sin bring the same degree of God's displeasure? No.

Theologian Wayne Grudem agrees with my assessment. He says:

"Are some sins worse than others? The question may be answered either yes or no, depending on the sense in which it is intended . . . [Legal Guilt] In terms of our legal standing before God, any one sin, even what may seem to be a very small one, makes us legally guilty before God and therefore worthy of eternal punishment . . . [Results in Life and in Relationship with God] On the other hand, some sins are worse than others in that they have more harmful consequences in our lives and in the lives of others, and in terms of our personal relationship to God as Father, they arouse his displeasure more and bring more serious disruption to our fellowship with him."[2]

Therefore, much of the debate may actually be tied to confusion on how the question is asked and what specifically is meant by it. Nevertheless, here are the 2 main views concerning the question: Is every sin the same to God?

2 Main Views

Is every sin the same to God?	Description
Yes	Every sin is the same in God's eyes. Since every sin deserves eternal punishment, they must be equal in His sight. Furthermore, because one sinner is just as legally guilty before God as another, the underlying sin must be viewed the same way. Therefore, you cannot consider yourself better than others, since you are a sinner just as they are.
No	Though every sin deserves eternal punishment, not every sin is equally vile to God. Some sins are considered worse than others, which is evident in their varying earthly consequences and the degree of God's displeasure. Sins, and their unique consequences, are shown to be distinct throughout the Mosaic law, Scriptures addressing idolatry, guidelines regarding church excommunication (some sins warrant excommunication while others do not), and several of Jesus's own statements (e.g., that it will be worse for some than for others on the day of judgment; see Matthew 10:15 and Matthew 11:23-24).

Here are a few key Scriptures to study concerning this topic:

• [Num 15:29-31 ESV] 29 You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the people of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them. 30 But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him."

• [Mat 10:15 ESV] 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

• [Mat 11:21-24 ESV] 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."

• [Mat 18:5-6 ESV] 5 "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

• [Mat 26:24 ESV] 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."

• [Luk 20:46-47 ESV] 46 "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."

• [Act 10:1-2 ESV] 1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.

• [Rom 3:23-24 ESV] 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

• [Rom 6:23 ESV] 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• [1Co 5:11-13 ESV] 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."

• [1Jo 1:9-10 ESV] 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

• [1Jo 5:16-17 ESV] 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life--to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

Application

Regardless of the type of sin committed, we should come to God humbly and ask for forgiveness (Rom. 3:23-24; 1 John 1:9). We are all sinners in need of God's grace. However, there is no place for pride. We should not look down upon others. Also, our actions have real consequences. Some sins will have more significant consequences with God and others in this life (and perhaps the next; see Matt. 11:21-24). Therefore, we should strive to live holy lives by the power of God's grace.

Paul's comments in Titus seem fitting here:

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" (Titus 2:11-14 ESV).

End Notes:

[1] Kevin DeYoung, Daily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2024), 122-123.

[2] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020), 631-632.