---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A weak understanding of what the Bible…"
description: "\"A weak understanding of what the Bible says about sin is tied to a weak understanding of what the Bible says is achieved by the cross.\" — D. A. Carson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2f/d-a-carson-4044_bible_a-weak-understanding-of-what-the-bible-s_1054269.png"
---

#  A weak understanding of what the Bible says about sin is…

![“A weak understanding of what the Bible says about sin is tied to a weak understanding of what the Bible says is achieved by the cross.” quote by D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2f/d-a-carson-4044_bible_a-weak-understanding-of-what-the-bible-s_1054269.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2f/d-a-carson-4044_bible_a-weak-understanding-of-what-the-bible-s_1054269.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2f/d-a-carson-4044_bible_a-weak-understanding-of-what-the-bible-s_1054269.png)

> “A weak understanding of what the Bible says about sin is tied to a weak understanding of what the Bible says is achieved by the cross.”

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Understanding sin requires grasping the cross's purpose and achievement.

**In simple terms:** Sin and the cross are linked concepts.

Key Takeaway

Study the cross to comprehend sin fully.

Themes

theology sin redemption scripture

Mood

contemplative serious

Type

theological educational

When to use this quote

- sermons
- Bible study groups
- personal devotion

Key Concepts

soteriology biblical exegesis doctrine

Questions to Reflect On

- What does the cross achieve for you?
- How does this view affect moral behavior?

A Different Perspective

Interpretations of sin vary across traditions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/)

## Related quotes

> [My mum always said, 'Use your Bible as a sat nav in life, Al.' And in the Bible it says, 'he without sin, cast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-hammond/my-mum-always-said-use-your-bible-as-a-sat-nav-in-life-al-and-in-the/)

[Alison Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-hammond/)

> [Remember what the Bible says: He who is without sin, cast the first rock. And I shall smoketh it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-chappelle/remember-what-the-bible-says-he-who-is-without-sin-cast-the-first/)

[Dave Chappelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-chappelle/)

> [Nothing convinces persons of a weak understanding so effectually, as what they do not comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/nothing-convinces-persons-of-a-weak-understanding-so-effectually-as/)

[Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/)

> [“It has been the practice of all Christian commentators on the Bible, and of all Christian priests and preachers, to impose the Bible on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/it-has-been-the-practice-of-all-christian-commentators-on-the-bible/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [The key to understanding the Bible is Jesus Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/the-key-to-understanding-the-bible-is-jesus-christ/)

[J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/)

> [A thorough reading and understanding of the Bible is the surest path to atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-morgan/a-thorough-reading-and-understanding-of-the-bible-is-the-surest-path/)

Donald Morgan

> [The Bible was written in several languages, embraces many literary forms, and reflects cultures very different from our own. These are important considerations for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-perry/the-bible-was-written-in-several-languages-embraces-many-literary/)

[Troy Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-perry/)

> [Reading and understanding the Bible involves lots and lots of interpretation. Not just in light of the world and culture around us, but in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/reading-and-understanding-the-bible-involves-lots-and-lots-of/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [If you can imagine the story of the world as a giant movie, to not have some understanding of the Bible - its story,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-green/if-you-can-imagine-the-story-of-the-world-as-a-giant-movie-to-not/)

Steve Green

> [“I don't know which is worse, going to the library or stealing and breaking the laws of Shabbat, but I know what the prophet's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-abraham/i-don-t-know-which-is-worse-going-to-the-library-or-stealing-and/)

[Pearl Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-abraham/)

> [Omfgeee the next stupid person that makes fun of people or says it's a sin to be gay, bi or a lez.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/omfgeee-the-next-stupid-person-that-makes-fun-of-people-or-says-it-s/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Whoever says he is without sin is a liar or is blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/whoever-says-he-is-without-sin-is-a-liar-or-is-blind/)

[Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/)

> [“Regina, masturbation in itself is not a sin against God. Satan only uses it to oppress the mind and make it feel ineffective and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-a-david/regina-masturbation-in-itself-is-not-a-sin-against-god-satan-only/)

[S. A. David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-a-david/)

> [ This is God's standards \[against same-sex marriage and abortions\]. And just because public opinion may have changed or somebody takes a poll - this… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-graham/this-is-god-s-standards-against-same-sex-marriage-and-abortions-and/)

[Franklin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-graham/)

> [What the Bible says is what God has disclosed and we want to approach this sacred text with cognitive reverence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/what-the-bible-says-is-what-god-has-disclosed-and-we-want-to-approach/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

## More by D. A. Carson

> [Unchecked, the new tolerance will sooner or later put many people in chains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/unchecked-the-new-tolerance-will-sooner-or-later-put-many-people-in/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [God's wrath is not an implacable, blind rage. However emotional it may be, it is an entirely reasonable and willed response to offenses against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/god-s-wrath-is-not-an-implacable-blind-rage-however-emotional-it-may/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [Others have questions about how it is that God and human beings can both be speaking through the one document such that you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/others-have-questions-about-how-it-is-that-god-and-human-beings-can/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [The New Testament writers did not invent a doctrine of Scripture they inherited it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/the-new-testament-writers-did-not-invent-a-doctrine-of-scripture-they/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [The Bible is not interested in precisionism unless the context indicates that precision is particularly important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/the-bible-is-not-interested-in-precisionism-unless-the-context/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [Effectiveness in teaching the Bible is purchased at the price of much study, some of it lonely, all of it tiring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/effectiveness-in-teaching-the-bible-is-purchased-at-the-price-of-much/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [Do you wish to see God's love? Look at the cross. Do you wish to see God's wrath? Look at the cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/do-you-wish-to-see-god-s-love-look-at-the-cross-do-you-wish-to-see/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [The notion of the enduring authority focuses on the fact that some people think that notions like authority of Scripture's is passé, while others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/the-notion-of-the-enduring-authority-focuses-on-the-fact-that-some/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [Many of us in our praying are like nasty little boys who ring front door bells and run away before anyone answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/many-of-us-in-our-praying-are-like-nasty-little-boys-who-ring-front/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [Christians have learned that when there seems to be no other evidence of God's love, they cannot escape the cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/christians-have-learned-that-when-there-seems-to-be-no-other-evidence/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [Love the church because Jesus loves it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/love-the-church-because-jesus-loves-it/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> ["Biblical theology" refers to something more precise than theology that is faithful to the Bible. It might be helpful to draw a contrast: at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/biblical-theology-refers-to-something-more-precise-than-theology-that/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [We treat the Bible, not as if it's a magic book that has to be handled like a piece of abracadabra, make sure it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/we-treat-the-bible-not-as-if-it-s-a-magic-book-that-has-to-be-handled/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [Most good evangelical Study Bibles have more in common than people sometimes realize. All of them are committed to explaining the Bible to lay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/most-good-evangelical-study-bibles-have-more-in-common-than-people/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

> [Not all Scripture is propositional, some of it is asking questions, some of it's rhetorical, but where Scripture is stating something, asserting something, making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/not-all-scripture-is-propositional-some-of-it-is-asking-questions/)

[D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

[Explore all 117 D. A. Carson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/)

## More Bible quotes

> [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

> [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/)

[Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/)

> [“The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose, Sergeant,’ Anthony Payne replied. ‘That is from The Merchant of Venice, but it holds great truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arnold/the-devil-can-cite-scripture-for-his-purpose-sergeant-anthony-payne/)

Michael Arnold

> [When you put your hand on the Bible, you are saying something much stronger than just telling your peers that you're going to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-greenwood/when-you-put-your-hand-on-the-bible-you-are-saying-something-much/)

[Lee Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-greenwood/)

> [“Scripture also teaches that human beings are morally responsible creatures”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-peterson/scripture-also-teaches-that-human-beings-are-morally-responsible/)

Robert A. Peterson

> [“The wife of a junior officer cooped up in a horrible canvas partition in steerage for five months wrote: "I had enjoyed much peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-taylor/the-wife-of-a-junior-officer-cooped-up-in-a-horrible-canvas-partition/)

Stephen Taylor

> [O Word of God incarnate . . . It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walsham-how/o-word-of-god-incarnate-it-is-the-golden-casket-where-gems-of-truth/)

Walsham How

> [How can I trust that the Bible is reliable?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/how-can-i-trust-that-the-bible-is-reliable/)

[Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/)

> [Every plant which my heavenly father has not planted with be uprooted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesus-christ/every-plant-which-my-heavenly-father-has-not-planted-with-be-uprooted/)

[Jesus Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesus-christ/)

> [Where I come from you're not raised to think on your own. It's not that you're pushed to read the Bible. The Bible is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abel-ferrara/where-i-come-from-you-re-not-raised-to-think-on-your-own-it-s-not/)

[Abel Ferrara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abel-ferrara/)

> [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/)

[J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/)

> [What comes to mind when you think of heaven? Heaven is referred to in fifty-four of the Bible's sixty-six books, and the final two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jeremiah/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-think-of-heaven-heaven-is-referred-to-in/)

[David Jeremiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jeremiah/)

> [“While it is in one sense a result of God’s presence within us, the New Testament also describes a process involved in our “putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/while-it-is-in-one-sense-a-result-of-god-s-presence-within-us-the-new/)

[Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/)

> [The definition of a Church is crystal clear in the New Testament. We see the picture of it. They came together the first day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-definition-of-a-church-is-crystal-clear-in-the-new-testament-we/)

[John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/)

[Browse all 8,465 Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A weak understanding of what the Bible says about sin is tied to a weak understanding of what the Bible says is achieved by the cross.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "D. A. Carson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/a-weak-understanding-of-what-the-bible-says-about-sin-is-tied-to-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Bible"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/a-weak-understanding-of-what-the-bible-says-about-sin-is-tied-to-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2f/d-a-carson-4044_bible_a-weak-understanding-of-what-the-bible-s_1054269.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2f/d-a-carson-4044_bible_a-weak-understanding-of-what-the-bible-s_1054269.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2f/d-a-carson-4044_bible_a-weak-understanding-of-what-the-bible-s_1054269.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A weak understanding of what the Bible says about sin is tied to a weak understanding of what the Bible says…” — D. A. Carson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "D. A. Carson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A weak understanding of what the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/a-weak-understanding-of-what-the-bible-says-about-sin-is-tied-to-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/a-weak-understanding-of-what-the-bible-says-about-sin-is-tied-to-a/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
