Scripture shows both what they have in common and their differences. In common: all have sinned, all unrighteousness is sin, and every sin requires forgiveness. Differences: Scripture speaks of greater and lesser sin and responsibility, different degrees of punishment, and “the weightier matters of the law”; John distinguishes between sin “unto death” and sin “not unto death.” The slogan “all sins are the same to God” is not a direct quotation from Scripture.
What Does the Bible Say About This?
- Jesus tells Pilate that the one who handed Him over bears “the greater sin” (John 19:11).
- For the cities that did not repent despite the miracles, judgment will be more severe than for Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom (Matt. 11:20–24); the servant who knew his master’s will will be beaten more severely than the one who did not know it (Luke 12:47–48).
- The sexually immoral person sins against his own body (1 Cor. 6:18); Jesus calls justice, mercy, and faithfulness the weightier matters of the law (Matt. 23:23).
- John distinguishes between sin “unto death” and sin “not unto death” (1 John 5:16–17); the meaning of this distinction is debated.
- All have sinned (Rom. 3:23); if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8–10); the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).
- Conclusion: Scripture distinguishes the severity, consequences, and responsibility associated with sins, but it does not create a category of “minor” sins that do not require forgiveness. James 2:10 speaks of the unity of the law—breaking one command makes a person guilty before the law as a whole—not of all sins being equally severe.
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the Scripture passages are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scriptures
10 Scriptures · Father’s Blessing Bible
John 19:11
Jesus answered: You could have no authority over Me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore, the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.
Matthew 11:20–24
20 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent: 21 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.
Luke 12:47–48
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, but did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of punishment, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been entrusted, from him more will be demanded.
1 John 5:16–17
16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray, and God will give him life, that is, to the one committing a sin that does not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against their own body.
Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others.
James 2:10
Whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles in one point is guilty of all.
1 John 1:8–10
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 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 that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
