30 Bible Verses About No Sin Is Greater Than the Other (With Commentary)

No matter how we may view our lives, everyone messes up sometimes. We commit sin and sometimes we feel that we are so far gone even God could not forgive us. That, however, is not true.

Scripture is clear that all sin is serious, but no sin is greater than another in God’s eyes. Read on to explore some of the biblical truths about sin, and how no sin is greater than the other.

Bible Verses About No Sin Is Greater Than the Other

James 2:10

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

This verse underscores the concept of sin’s universality. It posits that failure to uphold any part of the law, regardless of the perceived severity, results in breaking the law in its entirety. This asserts the principle that no sin is greater or lesser than another; all have the potential to distance us from God.

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:23 reinforces the universal human condition of sin, regardless of its nature. The verse signifies that every person, without exception, falls short of God’s glorious standard. Hence, it nullifies the notion of a hierarchical sin structure, emphasizing instead the shared human predicament.

1 John 1:8

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

In this verse, John addresses self-deception about sin. He implies that all individuals, without exception, have sinned. By stating this, he illustrates that no one is immune to sin, thereby debunking the idea of a sin hierarchy, for all fall short of perfection.

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This verse confronts the dire consequences of sin, equating all sin to spiritual death. Yet, it also offers hope, highlighting God’s gift of eternal life through Christ. This underscores the view that no sin is beyond God’s forgiveness, and no sin is comparatively ‘greater’ or ‘lesser’.

Galatians 3:22

“But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”

In Galatians 3:22, Paul reaffirms that all are subject to sin, emphasizing the universal necessity for faith in Jesus Christ. The verse implies that everyone is equally in need of Christ’s saving grace, rejecting any form of sin hierarchy.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

Paul warns the Corinthians not to be fooled into believing that any form of wrongdoing is trivial. His list of specific sins provides a range, arguing that all of these behaviors are serious enough to bar entry into God’s kingdom. The equal treatment of diverse sins here underscores the message that no sin is greater or lesser than another.

Ezekiel 18:20

“The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.”

This verse imparts a clear message about personal accountability for sin. It establishes that every individual’s sin is their own burden, thereby asserting that the gravity of sin is universal and independent of the nature of sin committed.

Proverbs 11:21

“Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.”

Proverbs 11:21 indicates that no amount of collective force can negate the consequences of sin. It serves to underscore the egalitarian nature of divine justice and the impartiality of sin’s repercussions.

Romans 2:11

“For God does not show favoritism.”

Romans 2:11 conveys the impartial nature of God’s judgement. It affirms the equality of all sins by stating that God doesn’t discriminate in His judgment, providing a strong argument against the notion of a sin hierarchy.

Matthew 5:19

“Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

This verse teaches the principle of responsibility towards all commandments, no matter how ‘minor’. By emphasizing the importance of even the ‘least’ commands, it conveys that each transgression is significant, discouraging a perception of sin as hierarchical.

Mark 12:38-40

“As he taught, Jesus said, ‘Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, who devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.’”

In this narrative, Jesus criticizes the hypocrisy of those who appear righteous but commit grave sins in private. The warning of severe punishment stresses that such hypocrisy is a significant sin, illustrating that every sin bears weight.

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.’”

This parable shows different levels of accountability based on knowledge and resources, rather than differentiating between ‘greater’ or ‘lesser’ sins. It further emphasizes the principle of personal responsibility for sin.

1 Timothy 5:24

“The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.”

Paul’s message in this verse emphasizes that whether a sin is apparent or concealed, it doesn’t evade God’s judgement. This suggests that all sins, irrespective of their visibility to humans, are equally discernible and accountable before God.

James 4:17

“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

This verse introduces the concept of sins of omission. By stating that knowingly refraining from doing good constitutes sin, it broadens the spectrum of sin and implies that all sins—whether of action or inaction—are equally significant.

Revelation 21:8

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will all have their part in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

In this apocalyptic vision, a range of sinners, from liars to murderers, are described as facing the same ultimate consequence. This indicates a lack of hierarchy in sin and underscores the severity of all sin.

Acts 10:34

“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.’”

This realization by Peter asserts the impartiality of God. It reinforces the concept that God doesn’t differentiate between sins or sinners, further dispelling the idea of hierarchical sins.

2 Peter 2:21

“It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.”

Peter’s warning here suggests that apostasy—abandoning the known path of righteousness—is a grave sin. Yet, it doesn’t propose this as ‘greater’ than other sins, supporting the idea of non-hierarchical sin.

Ecclesiastes 7:20

“Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.”

This verse from Ecclesiastes reinforces the universality of sin, arguing that every individual on earth sins. It underscores the equal sinfulness of all individuals, negating the concept of a sin hierarchy.

Matthew 7:1-2

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

This verse highlights the danger of judging others, reminding us that we will be judged by the same standards we apply. This reinforces the message that all sin, no matter its nature, bears equal weight in God’s eyes.

John 8:7

“When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’”

This episode where Jesus addresses those eager to stone a woman caught in adultery highlights that all have sinned, regardless of the type of sin. It underscores the principle of universal sinfulness, challenging the idea of certain sins being ‘greater’ than others.

1 Corinthians 10:12

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

Paul’s admonition here reminds believers of the precarious nature of righteousness and the ease with which one can fall into sin. It suggests that no one is immune to sin, further promoting the idea that all sins are equally destructive.

Romans 5:12

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”

This verse explains that sin, and therefore death, came to all through Adam. By declaring that all have sinned, it reinforces the message of the equal severity and universality of sin.

Romans 14:23

“But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”

This verse broadens the definition of sin to include any action not rooted in faith. It promotes the idea that any action devoid of faith—regardless of how seemingly insignificant—constitutes sin, underscoring the principle of equal sin severity.

Matthew 5:28

“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

In this verse, Jesus expands the understanding of sin to include not only actions but also intentions. By equating lustful thoughts with adultery, He communicates that sins of the mind hold the same weight as physical transgressions, underscoring the equal severity of all sin.

1 John 3:4

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.”

This verse simplifies the concept of sin, defining it as any form of lawlessness. By making no distinctions between types of lawbreaking, it asserts that all sins are equally offensive, reinforcing the idea that no sin is greater than another.

James 1:15

“Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

James, in this verse, presents a process that portrays how unchecked desires can lead to sin, and eventually, death. This does not differentiate between ‘greater’ or ‘lesser’ desires, suggesting all uncontrolled desires can lead to sin, and thus, all sins are equally deadly.

Proverbs 24:9

“The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker.”

Here, the verse equates both foolish schemes and mocking others with sin. This indicates that both thoughtless actions and harmful words are seen as sinful, further emphasizing that all sin is equally reprehensible.

Colossians 3:25

“Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.”

This verse reaffirms that there’s no favoritism in God’s judgement. It stresses that everyone who does wrong will face the consequences, reinforcing the non-hierarchical nature of sin and suggesting that all wrongs are equally accountable before God.