Mortal and Venial Sin
Some sins wound the soul; others sever it — a line traditions draw differently
This concept distinguishes mortal sin, grave enough to sever the soul from grace, from venial sin, which wounds but does not sever the relationship with God. The distinction draws on 1 John 5:16-17 and Augustine, with later scholastic development. Traditions differ in how they frame it. It is formalized in Catholic moral theology, while Orthodox and Protestant traditions treat the distinction differently or with less precision.
How it traveled
- On Modesty.— · 220explains
- The Homilies of St. John ChrysostomConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The EnchiridionHippo Regius · 430explains
- Against LyingHippo Regius · 430explains
- On Marriage and ConcupiscenceHippo Regius · 430explains
- Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90)Paris · 1274explains
- Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59)Paris · 1274explains
- Book Second. of the Knowledge of God the Redeemer, in Christ, as First Manifested to the Fathers, Under the Law, and Thereafter to Us Under the GospelGeneva · 1564challenges
- Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from ItGeneva · 1564challenges
Key passages(20)
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Book Second. of the Knowledge of God the Redeemer, in Christ, as First Manifested to the Fathers, Under the Law, and Thereafter to Us Under the Gospel · John Calvin
Book Third. the Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ. the Benefits It Confers, and the Effects Resulting from It · John Calvin
Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John · Augustine of Hippo
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
On Marriage and Concupiscence · Augustine of Hippo
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
A Treatise Concerning Man’s Perfection in Righteousness · Augustine of Hippo
Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
On Marriage and Concupiscence · Augustine of Hippo
On Modesty. · Tertullian: Part Fourth
The Enchiridion · Augustine of Hippo
Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59) · Thomas Aquinas