What Are the Seven Deadly Sins — Meaning Explained
The 'seven deadly sins' — pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth — are a traditional list, not a specific Bible passage, but all are addressed in Scripture.
The 'seven deadly sins' — pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth — are a traditional list, not a specific Bible passage, but all are addressed in Scripture.
"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." — Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV)
What "What Are the Seven Deadly Sins?" Actually Means
The traditional list of seven deadly sins (pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth) was formalized by Pope Gregory I in the 6th century and is not found as a single list in the Bible. However, each sin is thoroughly addressed in Scripture. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things the Lord hates, which overlap significantly. Pride is considered the root of all sin — it was Satan's original sin (Isaiah 14:12-14) and leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Greed or covetousness is called idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Lust corrupts the heart (Matthew 5:28). Envy rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30). Gluttony represents lack of self-control (Proverbs 23:20-21). Wrath leads to folly (Proverbs 14:29). Sloth invites poverty (Proverbs 6:9-11). While the Bible doesn't rank sins in this way, these seven represent categories of temptation that every believer must guard against through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Proverbs 6:16-19
"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
Proverbs 16:18
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
Galatians 5:19-21
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like."
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