Where do the seven deadly sins come from if not the Bible?

From Christian tradition. Evagrius Ponticus described eight tempting thoughts in the fourth century, and Pope Gregory the Great around 590 reshaped them into the list that became known as the seven deadly sins. Later theologians such as Thomas Aquinas refined it further. It is a moral framework built by the church, not a single Bible passage.

Does the Bible list any sins by number?

Yes, but not the traditional seven. Proverbs 6:16-19 names six things the Lord hates and a seventh that is an abomination, and Galatians 5:19-21 lists the works of the flesh. These are genuine biblical lists, but their contents differ from the classic seven deadly sins.

Is it wrong to teach the seven deadly sins?

Christians differ. Many find the list a helpful summary of recurring temptations and use it in moral and spiritual teaching. The honest point is only that it should be presented as church tradition drawn from Scripture rather than as a list the Bible itself provides.

Does the Bible say it?

Are the seven deadly sins in the Bible?

Christians hold different views. The specific list of seven deadly sins, pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth, is a church tradition, not a single Bible passage. It developed through Evagrius Ponticus and Pope Gregory the Great. The Bible does list things God hates in Proverbs 6:16-19 and works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, but neither matches the traditional seven.

VerdictChristians hold different views

What it actually is

There is no single passage in the Bible listing pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth as the seven deadly sins. The scheme developed in Christian tradition: the monk Evagrius Ponticus (fourth century) described a set of eight tempting thoughts, and Pope Gregory the Great, c. 590, reworked them into the influential list later called the seven deadly sins. The tradition was further shaped by writers like Thomas Aquinas.

The Bible does contain related lists, but they are different. Proverbs 6:16-19 names "six things" the Lord hates, "seven" that are an abomination, and Galatians 5:19-21 names the works of the flesh. Neither is the traditional seven. Sincere Christians differ on how useful the classic list is: many value it as a moral teaching tool, while noting honestly that it is a framework built from Scripture rather than a list the Bible itself sets out.

What the Bible actually says

Here are the actual biblical lists people sometimes confuse with the seven deadly sins.

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:”

Proverbs 6:16

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”

Galatians 5:19

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A better question than the quote

Behind every “is this in the Bible?” is a gentler one: what does the Bible actually say, and who is the Jesus at the center of it? You do not have to take our word for it, ours least of all. Read his own words and see for yourself. It costs nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.

Meet Jesus His words and acts Read the Gospel of John

Jesus Christ is Lord.

Frequently asked questions

Where do the seven deadly sins come from if not the Bible?: From Christian tradition. Evagrius Ponticus described eight tempting thoughts in the fourth century, and Pope Gregory the Great around 590 reshaped them into the list that became known as the seven deadly sins. Later theologians such as Thomas Aquinas refined it further. It is a moral framework built by the church, not a single Bible passage.
Does the Bible list any sins by number?: Yes, but not the traditional seven. Proverbs 6:16-19 names six things the Lord hates and a seventh that is an abomination, and Galatians 5:19-21 lists the works of the flesh. These are genuine biblical lists, but their contents differ from the classic seven deadly sins.
Is it wrong to teach the seven deadly sins?: Christians differ. Many find the list a helpful summary of recurring temptations and use it in moral and spiritual teaching. The honest point is only that it should be presented as church tradition drawn from Scripture rather than as a list the Bible itself provides.

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