olneyhymn/westminster-daily

---
pagetitle: What is sin?
date: February 19, 2020
prev_url: /westminster-daily/02/20/
prev_date: Feb 20
this_url: /westminster-daily/02/21/
short_date: "0221"
this_date: Feb 21
next_url: /westminster-daily/02/22/
next_date: Feb 22
---

#### Shorter Catechism

<span class="q">Q 14.</span> What is sin?

<span class="q">A.</span> Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.[^fnref:wsc1]


[^fnref:wsc1]: <div class="esv"><h5>Leviticus 5:17</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p03005017.01-1">&#8220;If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>'s commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity.</p> </div><h5>James 4:17</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p59004017.01-2">So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.</p> </div><h5>1 John 3:4</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p62003004.01-3">Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.  (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div>


#### Larger Catechism

<span class="q">Q 24.</span> What is sin?

<span class="q">A.</span> Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature.[^fnref:wlc1]


[^fnref:wlc1]: <div class="esv"><h5>Leviticus 5:17</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p03005017.01-1">&#8220;If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>'s commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity.</p> </div><h5>James 4:17</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p59004017.01-2">So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.</p> </div><h5>1 John 3:4</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p62003004.01-3">Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.</p> </div><h5>Galatians 3:10</h5> <div class="esv-text"> <p id="p48003010.07-4">For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, &#8220;Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.&#8221;</p> </div><h5>Galatians 3:12</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p48003012.01-5">But the law is not of faith, rather &#8220;The one who does them shall live by them.&#8221;  (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div>