What are the seven deadly sins?

Quick answer

The seven deadly sins—pride, wrath, greed, sloth, lust, envy, and gluttony—are rooted in Catholic church tradition and serve as a teaching tool about the nature and effects of sin. While these sins are not specifically identified as "deadly" in the Bible, Scripture affirms that all sins lead to death and can only be overcome through salvation in Jesus Christ.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The concept of the seven deadly sins originates from Catholic church tradition, not Scripture. Theybecame widely recognized through teachings by Evagrius Ponticus and Pope Gregory I, with the intention of educating believers on sin's pervasive and destructive nature. While the Bible does not categorize sins in this way, Proverbs 6:16–19 provides a list of seven sins that God hates: "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." These sins are similar to the deadly sins but not identical. Additionally, the Bible emphasizes that all sins, regardless of type, result in spiritual death (Romans 6:23). Scripture does not describe certain sins as being deadlier than others. Instead, it teaches that sin universally separates humanity from God, necessitating salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8–9).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Proverbs 6:16–19: "There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." This passage lists seven specific sins that God detests, highlighting their destructive nature without suggesting that they are “deadlier” than others.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 emphasizes humanity's universal sinfulness, reinforcing the idea that all sins are significant: “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Paul asserts the universality of sin, showing that no one is exempt from its effects.
Romans 5:12 identifies the root cause of sin and death, affirming that all sins result in spiritual death without salvation.
Ephesians 2:8–9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Salvation from sin comes not through human effort but by God’s grace alone.
James 2:10 reveals that any sin, regardless of its perceived severity, renders a person guilty before God: “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The seven deadly sins, while not explicitly biblical in the way they are used and referred to, remain a helpful framework for understanding the pervasive nature of sin and its consequences. These sins exemplify attitudes and behaviors that lead to further disobedience and harm, both spiritually and relationally. However, believers must recognize that the Bible does not rank sins by severity, teaching instead that all sins separate us from God and lead to death (Romans 6:23). Yes, there are varying consequences based on our sins, but all sin is deadly. Scripture does not describe certain sins as being deadlier than others. Understanding that all sins are deadly in their effects should drive us to repentance and reliance on God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). For Christians, recognizing the seriousness of sin calls for humility, vigilance, and a commitment to walking in step with the Spirit instead of in the flesh (Galatians 5:16–25).

UNDERSTAND

The seven deadly sins come from tradition, not the Bible.
Scripture teaches all sins lead to death.
While sins have varying consequences, there are no more deadly sins than others.

REFLECT

How have pride, envy, or another "deadly sin" shown up in your own life, and how did it affect your relationship with God and others?
How do you rely on God’s grace to overcome the sins you struggle with most?
How does recognizing that all sins separate us from God shape your view of repentance and grace?

ENGAGE

How can we encourage others to address sin in their life in a way that leads to spiritual growth?
Why is it important to understand that all sins, not just the seven deadly sins, lead to spiritual death?
How can studying the Bible help us navigate conversations about the nature of sin?