Episode Overview

Podcast: The Westminster Shorter Catechism with Sinclair Ferguson
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Episode: Question & Answer 83
Date: January 27, 2026

This episode centers on Question 83 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?” Dr. Sinclair Ferguson explores the biblical teaching that, while all sin is serious as a breach of God’s law, some sins are more grievous in God’s sight due to their nature or accompanying circumstances. The discussion is designed for pastors, parents, and all Christians interested in understanding both the foundations and deeper aspects of biblical doctrine.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Catechism’s Answer: Unequal Weight of Sins

• Main Statement (00:03):
  • Dr. Ferguson reads: “Question 83. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.”
• The answer insists that while every sin is a violation of God’s law, not every sin is counted the same in terms of its seriousness or consequences.

Understanding Heinousness

• Ferguson explains that “heinous” means not merely “bad,” but “especially dreadful, detestable, shocking in God’s sight.”
• Some sins have deeper roots in rebellion, involve more knowledge, or are done with higher awareness.

Scriptural Foundations

• Degrees of Guilt:
  • There are Scriptural examples where God separates sins by degree (e.g., Jesus states in John 19:11 that Judas’ sin is ‘greater’ than Pilate’s).
• Some sins are described as “crying to heaven” (e.g., murder, oppression) because of their aggravating factors.

Aggravations That Make Sin Worse

• Ferguson outlines circumstances that increase a sin’s heinousness:
  • Against greater light: Offending with knowledge increases guilt.
  • Against special mercy: Sins committed after receiving special grace or privilege are weightier.
  • Against love: Betraying or harming someone who’s shown special love or trust.
  • Public vs. private: Public apostasies or crimes attract wider harm and greater guilt than private sins.

Pastoral and Practical Implications

• Understanding that some sins are more heinous guards us from two errors:
  • Minimizing all sin: Pretending small transgressions don’t matter.
  • Failing to recognize severe dangers: Treating all sin as equally serious can blind us to particularly perilous sins.
• This doctrine shapes church discipline, preaching, and Christian self-examination.
• Ferguson notes, “The degree of our knowledge or privilege adds to our accountability” (approx. 03:58).

Encouragements for Discipleship

• Pastors, parents, and teachers are encouraged to help others digest both the basics and deeper truths so that believers may understand the seriousness of sin in order to savor “the meat of God’s Word.”
• Sinclair Ferguson: “The more we see the seriousness of sin, the more we’ll see the greatness of Christ” (approx. 04:25).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On distinguishing sin:
  • “Some sins… by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.” (Sinclair Ferguson, 00:05)
• On responsibility:
  • “The degree of our knowledge or privilege adds to our accountability.” (Sinclair Ferguson, 03:58)
• On Christ’s work:
  • “The more we see the seriousness of sin, the more we’ll see the greatness of Christ.” (Sinclair Ferguson, 04:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:03 — Catechism recitation and initial answer
• 00:30 — Explanation of “heinousness” and examples
• 01:25 — Biblical evidence for degrees of sin
• 02:20 — What makes certain sins more serious
• 03:45 — Applications for personal growth and church practice
• 04:25 — Closing encouragement relating sin’s seriousness to Christ’s sufficiency

Episode Takeaway

This concise episode unpacks why not all sins are equally heinous, challenging listeners to deeper seriousness about sin and a deeper appreciation of Christ’s redemptive work. Sinclair Ferguson brings both clarity and conviction, making this an essential listen for anyone discipling others in the faith.