Expert: Sal - 8/12/2008

Question
Where in the Bible do I find the explanation of venial sins and mortal sins?  Where in the Bible is Purgatory mentioned?  If is not in the Bible how can I defend this believe?  How do I explain it?  

Thank you so much for being avalaible.  I want to be able to defend my faith with accurate information.  Please answer as soon as possible.

God Bless

Patty Flores

Answer
Dear Ms. Flores:

I’m glad that you asked this question because the distinction between different types of sin is important. The idea of venial and mortal sins, like purgatory and the Trinity, is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but the concept can be found often. Venial sins are sins that are not deadly, i.e. it does not “kill” one’s soul. Mortal sin is deadly, i.e. it does “kill” one’s soul. Mortal sin is deadly because it deprives the sinner of sanctifying grace. To sum up: one who dies with venial sins on his soul can still enter heaven (by way of purgatory). However, one who dies with a mortal sin on his soul cannot enter heaven. I don’t mean to imply that venial sins are not harmful because they are very harmful. The repeated committing of venial sins weakens ones ability to avoid mortal sin. Mortal sins can only be forgiven in the sacrament of Confession. To be considered a mortal sin the sin must be one concerning grave matter (such as blasphemy, idolatry, murder, etc.), the sinner must know that he is committing such a sin, and he must give full consent to committing the sin. If you would like to read an excellent explanation of venial and mortal sin read the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 1854-1864.

The classic passage in the Bible that is used to show venial and mortal sin is 1 John 5:16-17: “If any sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.”  These verses clearly show that there are two types of sin. There are not mortal or not deadly and mortal or deadly. The Catholic Church calls these two types of sin venial and mortal, respectively.

In the above passage, St. John in teaching that the deadly or mortal sin cannot be remitted by prayer alone was teaching as the Catholic Church always has. St. John, as a priest and bishop of the Church, was well aware that only through the sacrament of Confession could one have the deadly or mortal sins removed. “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:23).  

With this in mind we can see that Jesus taught the Apostles that we should pray for our own as well as others venial sins (Matthew 6:12 & Luke 11:4). He did, however, condemn those with mortal sins to hell (Matthew 23:33). In the same chapter Jesus taught that some sins (venial) do not keep one out of the kingdom (Matthew 5:19) while other sins (mortal) do exclude one from the kingdom (vs. 28-30). So it is clearly Jesus’ teaching that some sins are forgivable and some are not (cf. Matthew 12:31-32). At least some are not forgivable without recourse to the sacrament of Confession as previously noted. Jesus’ teaching that there are two types of sin is in many places in the Bible. For example, Jesus spoke of lighter and heavier punishment based on whether or not one knows the master’s will (Luke 12:47-48). He said that those who are “blind” or do not know the gravity of their sin are forgiven, but those who can “see” or know what they are doing are to be judged guilty of grave sin (John 9:41; cf. Matthew 11:22). One final example is in Jesus explaining to Pilate that his sin was venial while Judas’ was mortal (John 19:11; cf. Matthew 26:24 & Mark 14:21).  

The early Church knew our Lord’s teaching on venial and mortal sins. St. James wrote, “For we all stumble in many things” (James 3:2). It is a fact that we commit many venial sins (cf. 1 John 1:18). Obviously St. James is not saying that we all commit many mortal sins! St. James, a priest and bishop of the early Church, knew and taught that venial sins could be remitted by prayer and mortal sins by Confession. After teaching on the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, he declared, “…the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful” (James 5:15-16).  

St. Paul taught that some sins (mortal) would exclude one from eternal life (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 & Galatians 5:19-21). Further that some sins were worthy of excommunication (1 Corinthians 5:1-3). This was to be done with the hope that such a one would repent and confess his sin so as to return to full communion with the Church (1 Corinthians 5:5 cf. 2 Corinthians 2:5-8).

We can even see in the Old Testament an understanding of the idea of venial and mortal sin. Even though the Old Covenant people of God did not have the full revelation from God that would only come with Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2) they knew that all sin was not alike. They spoke of those that committed unintentional sin verses those that committed defiant sin (Numbers 15:22-31) Another Old Testament example showing the beginning of an understanding in the differences between types of sin is found in the Psalms. David sings of “hidden faults” and “willful sins” (Psalm 19:12-13).

So an honest study of the Bible reveals the truth of the Catholic Church’s teaching on venial and mortal sin.   

God Bless You In Your Study,
Sal