Although all sin merits death and requires Christ's blood for expiation, Scripture reveals that some sins are worse than others, bringing greater consequences and stiffer penalties. Israel's Golden Calf broke several commandments in one act and was called a great sin, and David's numbering of Israel, a failure to rely on God, cost 70,000 lives. Jesus told Pilate that the one who delivered Him had the greater sin (John 19:11). The principle of proportionate punishment shows in Israel's law, where kidnapping brought death but stealing livestock required restoration (Exodus 21:16; 22:1). Christ also distinguishes the great commandment, loving God completely, and the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy and faith, from lesser points; the Pharisees strained out a gnat yet swallowed a camel. Even so, breaking the least commandment is sin and reduces one's reward in the Kingdom (Matthew 5:19). John separates sin not leading to death, which is repented of and forgiven, whether greater or lesser, from sin leading to death, the unpardonable sin. That sin is marked by rebellious, defiant rejection of Christ and God's Spirit, willful apostasy after knowing the truth, or apathetic neglect that never repents. Nevertheless, all sin separates from God (Isaiah 59:2), so believers must overcome every sin, giving first priority to the greater ones, through Christ's strength.

Scripture does distinguish greater and lesser sins, but not in how hard they are for God to forgive. All sins are forgivable when truly repented of, so a Christian must not obsess over a forgiven past sin as though it exceeded God's mercy. Paul, a blasphemer and persecutor, obtained mercy as a pattern for those who think their sin passes the limit of grace. The distinction lies in punishment and consequence. Idolatry at Sinai and David's census, which cost 70,000 lives, were great sins. Jesus told Pilate that the one who delivered Him had the "greater sin." Under the principle of proportionate punishment, kidnapping carried death while stealing livestock required restitution. Jesus named love of God and neighbor as the great commandments and called justice, mercy, and faith the weightier matters. Greater sins do more damage to character and to others, so the highest priority goes to overcoming them. Lesser sins must not be ignored, however, since breaking even the least commandment affects standing in the Kingdom. Breaking one point of the law makes a person guilty of all. All sin separates from God, and all sin, if unrepented, ends in death. The sin leading to death is willful, defiant blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, or settled apathy that comes close to it. What matters most is the relationship to God, as Joseph and David recognized when they saw their sin as against God. Christ's sacrifice dealt with every sin completely, and the faithful are justified from all things.

All unrighteousness is sin, but not all sin is equal, and God does not judge every act or person on the same level, though He judges all fairly. The Ten Commandments stand above all other law, and justice, mercy, and fidelity outweigh scrupulous tithing. Lesser laws are not done away; they are simply less critical to God's spiritual purpose. Seriousness depends on attitude, circumstance, and who commits the sin. Numbers 15 distinguishes sins of ignorance from presumptuous sins done "with a high hand," which bring the death penalty, as with the Sabbath stick-gatherer. Hebrews 10 puts willful sin after receiving the truth in that same category. Abimelech, Balaam, and Abraham sinned through ignorance or weakness and were quickly forgiven, and accidental killing was a sin not unto death, requiring flight to a city of refuge. Leviticus 4 scales the offering to responsibility: a bullock for the high priest or the whole congregation, a male goat for a ruler, a female goat for a common person. David's census, done against counsel, brought the greatest plague recorded because a king and converted man is held to a higher standard. Ministers and teachers face stricter judgment (James 3:1), as the scribes did in Mark 12, because they set the moral tone. Luke 12:47-48 teaches that much is required of those to whom much is given, and John 9 shows that ignorance without repentance differs from claimed knowledge, so sin remains. People are not judged for what they cannot know or do. Jesus' mote and beam illustration confirms that some sins are greater than others.