Sin without guilt or power
It is no use, they say, to answer that these tempers are there but do not reign. For "Sin cannot, in any kind or degree, exist where it does not reign." For guilt and power are essential properties of sin. Therefore, where one of them is, all must be.
Strange indeed! "Sin cannot, in any kind or degree, exist where it does not reign." That is absolutely contrary to all experience, to all scripture, and to all common sense. Resentment of an insult is sin. It is lawlessness, a disconformity to the law of love. This has existed in me 1,000 times. Yet it did not reign, and it does not reign.
But guilt and power are essential properties of sin, they say, and therefore where one is, all must be. No. In the instance before us, if the resentment I feel is not yielded to, even for a moment, there is no guilt at all, no condemnation from God on that account. And in this case it has no power. Though it lusts against the Spirit, it cannot prevail. Here, therefore, as in 10,000 instances, there is sin, without either guilt or power.
1771 text
“It avails not to say, these tempers are there, but they do not reign. For sin cannot, in any kind or degree, exist where it does not reign. For guilt and power, are essential properties of sin. Therefore where one of them is, all must be.”
Strange indeed! “Sin cannot in any kind or degree, exist where it does not reign?” Absolutely contrary this to all experience, all scripture, all common sense. Resentment of an affront is sin. It is ἀνομία, disconformity to the law of love. This has existed in me a thousand times. Yet it did not, and does not reign. “But guilt and power are essential properties of sin: therefore where one is, all must be.” No. In the instance before us, if the resentment I feel is not yielded to, even for a moment, there is no guilt at all, no condemnation from God upon that account. And in this case, it has no power: though it lusteth against the Spirit it cannot prevail. Here therefore, as in ten thousand instances, there is sin, without either guilt or power.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 13 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 5:17.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.