--- title: "Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof | Westminster Confession of Faith" description: "Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof 1. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtilty and temptation of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit. This their" canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=34" --- # Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof | Westminster Confession of Faith 1. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtilty and temptation of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit. This their sin God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory. Scripture proofs: Gen. 3:13; 2 Cor. 11:3; Rom. 11:32. 2. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body. Scripture proofs: Gen. 3:6-8; Eccl. 7:29; Rom. 3:23; Gen. 2:17; Eph. 2:1; Titus 1:15; Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:10-19. 3. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation. Scripture proofs: Gen. 1:27-28, and Gen. 2:16-17, and Acts 17:26 with Rom. 5:12, 15-19, and 1 Cor. 15:21-22, 49; Ps. 51:5; Gen. 5:3; Job 14:4; Job 15:14. 4. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions. Scripture proofs: Rom. 5:6; Rom. 8:7; Rom. 7:18; Col. 1: 21; Gen. 6:5; Gen. 8:21; Rom. 3:10-12; Jas. 1:14-15; Eph. 2:2-3; Matt. 15:19. 5. This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; and although it be, through Christ, pardoned and mortified, yet both itself and all the motions thereof are truly and properly sin. Scripture proofs: 1 John 1:8, 10; Rom. 7:14, 17-18, 23; Jas. 3:2; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 7:5, 7-8, 25; Gal. 5:17. 6. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto, doth, in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner; whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God, and curse of the law, and so made subject to death, with all miseries spiritual, temporal, and eternal. Scripture proofs: 1 John 3:4; Rom. 2:15; Rom. 3:9, 19; Eph. 2:3; Gal. 3:10; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 4:18; Rom. 8:20; Lam. 3:39; Matt. 25: 41; 2 Thess. 1:9. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowThe fallAdam and Eve’s first disobedience and the ruin it brought.CorruptionThe sinful condition that affects our whole nature.ImputedCounted or credited to someone; Adam’s guilt is counted to those he represents. ### WCF 6.1 · The first disobedience Satan tempted Adam and Eve, and they ate the fruit God had forbidden. They chose to sin. God permitted this within his wise plan and would direct events to his glory, but their disobedience was truly their own. Explore the ScripturesGenesis 3:13; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Romans 11:32. Talk about itWho was responsible for Adam and Eve’s disobedience? [Read original paragraph 1 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/#paragraph-1) ### WCF 6.2 · What the fall changed By sinning, Adam and Eve lost their original uprightness and fellowship with God. They became spiritually dead, and sin affected every part of them, body and soul. The problem was much deeper than one mistaken action. Explore the ScripturesGenesis 3:6-8; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 3:23. Talk about itWhy do sinners need more than better habits? [Read original paragraph 2 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/#paragraph-2) ### WCF 6.3 · Adam’s sin affects us Adam and Eve are the first parents of the human family. Adam’s guilt is counted to his ordinary descendants, and they inherit a sinful nature and spiritual death. We are connected with him as our representative, not merely copying a bad example. Jesus’ birth and sinlessness are explained in chapter 8. Explore the ScripturesGenesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:16-17; Acts 17:26. Talk about itWhat does it mean for someone to represent others? [Read original paragraph 3 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/#paragraph-3) ### WCF 6.4 · Sin comes from within Our inherited corruption leaves us unwilling and unable to do the spiritual good needed for salvation on our own. Our sinful thoughts, words, and actions grow from that inward problem. We need God to change our hearts. Explore the ScripturesRomans 5:6; Romans 8:7; Romans 7:18. Talk about itWhy is changing our hearts deeper than changing appearances? [Read original paragraph 4 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/#paragraph-4) ### WCF 6.5 · Christians still fight sin Even after the Spirit gives us new life, sin remains in us during this life. Through Christ it is forgiven and weakened, but it is still really sin. We must keep fighting it rather than pretending it has disappeared. Explore the Scriptures1 John 1:8; Romans 7:14; James 3:2. Talk about itWhy should Christians still confess their sins? [Read original paragraph 5 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/#paragraph-5) ### WCF 6.6 · Sin deserves judgment Every sin breaks God’s righteous law and makes the sinner guilty. Both our sinful nature and our sinful actions deserve his judgment. Sin brings spiritual harm, suffering, and death, including eternal judgment. We need a Savior who can deal with our guilt, not simply help us feel better. Explore the Scriptures1 John 3:4; Romans 2:15; Romans 3:9. Talk about itWhy do we need forgiveness rather than excuses? [Read original paragraph 6 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/#paragraph-6) ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - How does sin affect what we think, want, and do? - Why do we need more than trying harder to make ourselves right with God? #### Scripture to remember Romans 3:23 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=Romans%203%3A23) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Practice confessing a specific wrong without blaming someone else. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=34) ## Related reading - [Understanding covenant theology](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/covenant-theology/) - [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 4: Of Creation](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-4-creation/) - [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 9: What is the work of creation?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-9-what-is-the-work-of-creation/) - [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 15: What is the work of creation?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-15-what-is-the-work-of-creation/) - [Find teaching on sin](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=sin) - [Read RP Testimony chapter 6](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/) - [Chapter 5](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-5-providence/) - [Chapter 7](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/