Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 25
Question 25
Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called Original Sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions.
Scripture references for paragraph 1
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Romans 5:1212Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.
Romans 5:1919For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Romans 3:10-1910As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.
11There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
13“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”
14“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16ruin and misery lie in their wake,
17and the way of peace they have not known.”
18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
Romans 5:66For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 8:7-87because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
8Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.
Ephesians 2:1-31And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.
3All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
Genesis 6:55Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.
James 1:14-1514But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.
15Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Matthew 15:1919For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
Source and edition
Westminster Larger Catechism. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription
Unlicense. Source transcription.
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