Crime vs. Sin — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
A crime is a legal violation punishable by law, while a sin is a moral or religious transgression.
Difference Between Crime and Sin
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Crime is an act violating legal statutes, punishable by the justice system. Sin refers to actions violating moral or religious principles.
Crimes are defined and sanctioned by laws of a society. Sins are judged based on religious or ethical standards.
Committing a crime can result in legal penalties like imprisonment. Committing a sin may lead to spiritual consequences or guilt.
Crimes are secular and vary by jurisdiction. Sins are often universal in religious contexts.
Legal systems handle crimes through courts. Sins are often addressed through religious or personal repentance.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
A legal violation, punishable by law.
A moral or religious transgression.
Judged By
Legal system and courts.
Religious or moral standards.
Consequences
Legal penalties, imprisonment, fines.
Spiritual consequences, guilt.
Nature
Secular, varies by jurisdiction.
Often universal in religious contexts.
Resolution
Legal proceedings and justice system.
Repentance, forgiveness in religious terms.
Compare with Definitions
Crime
An action that violates a law and is punishable by the state.
Theft is considered a crime and can lead to imprisonment.
Sin
An act considered morally wrong or offensive in religious contexts.
Lying is considered a sin in many cultures.
Crime
Actions prohibited by statute and punishable by the criminal justice system.
Driving under the influence is a crime with severe consequences.
Sin
A violation of divine or religious laws.
In many religions, stealing is seen as a sin.
Crime
An illegal activity that can be prosecuted.
Committing fraud is a serious crime.
Sin
An act that goes against ethical principles and beliefs.
Betraying a friend's trust is a sin against friendship.
Crime
A breach of rules or laws for which punishment may follow.
Embezzlement is a crime that harms both businesses and employees.
Sin
Moral wrongdoing as perceived by religious doctrines.
In his faith, pride is considered a sin.
Crime
In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a state or other authority. The term crime does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition, though statutory definitions have been provided for certain purposes.
Sin
In a religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law. Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin.
Crime
An act committed in violation of law where the consequence of conviction by a court is punishment, especially where the punishment is a serious one such as imprisonment.
Sin
An immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law
The human capacity for sin
A sin in the eyes of God
Crime
Unlawful activity
Statistics relating to violent crime.
Sin
Commit a sin
I sinned and brought shame down on us
Crime
A serious offense, especially one in violation of morality.
Sin
A transgression of a religious or moral law, especially when deliberate.
Crime
An unjust, senseless, or disgraceful act or condition
It's a crime to waste all that paper.
Sin
Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God.
Crime
(countable) A specific act committed in violation of the law.
Sin
A condition of estrangement from God resulting from such disobedience.
Crime
(countable) Any great sin or wickedness; iniquity.
Sin
Something regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong.
Crime
That which occasions crime.
Sin
One of the two forms of the 21st letter of the Hebrew alphabet, distinguished from the letter shin by having a dot above the left side of the letter. See Table at alphabet.
Crime
(uncountable) Criminal acts collectively.
Sin
The Babylonian god of the moon.
Crime
(uncountable) The habit or practice of committing crimes.
Crime doesn’t pay.
Sin
To violate a religious or moral law.
Crime
To subject to disciplinary punishment.
Sin
(theology) A violation of God's will or religious law.
As a Christian, I think this is a sin against God.
Crime
(nonce word) To commit crime.
Sin
Sinfulness, depravity, iniquity.
Crime
Any violation of law, either divine or human; an omission of a duty commanded, or the commission of an act forbidden by law.
Sin
A misdeed or wrong.
Crime
Gross violation of human law, in distinction from a misdemeanor or trespass, or other slight offense. Hence, also, any aggravated offense against morality or the public welfare; any outrage or great wrong.
Sin
A sin offering; a sacrifice for sin.
Crime
Any great wickedness or sin; iniquity.
No crime was thine, if 'tis no crime to love.
Sin
An embodiment of sin; a very wicked person.
Crime
That which occasion crime.
The tree of life, the crime of our first father's fall.
Sin
A flaw or mistake.
No movie is without sin.
Crime
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act;
A long record of crimes
Sin
A letter of the Hebrew alphabet; שׂ]]
Crime
An evil act not necessarily punishable by law;
Crimes of the heart
Sin
A letter of the Arabic alphabet; س
Crime
An offense against public laws.
Vandalism is not just mischief; it's a crime.
Sin
To commit a sin.
Sin
Old form of Since.
Sin that his lord was twenty year of age.
Sin
Transgression of the law of God; disobedience of the divine command; any violation of God's will, either in purpose or conduct; moral deficiency in the character; iniquity; as, sins of omission and sins of commission.
Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Sin is the transgression of the law.
I think 't no sin.To cozen him that would unjustly win.
EnthralledBy sin to foul, exorbitant desires.
Sin
An offense, in general; a violation of propriety; a misdemeanor; as, a sin against good manners.
I grant that poetry's a crying sin.
Sin
A sin offering; a sacrifice for sin.
He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.
Sin
An embodiment of sin; a very wicked person.
Thy ambition,Thou scarlet sin, robbed this bewailing landOf noble Buckingham.
Sin
To depart voluntarily from the path of duty prescribed by God to man; to violate the divine law in any particular, by actual transgression or by the neglect or nonobservance of its injunctions; to violate any known rule of duty; - often followed by against.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned.
All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Sin
To violate human rights, law, or propriety; to commit an offense; to trespass; to transgress.
I am a manMore sinned against than sinning.
Who but wishes to invert the lawsOf order, sins against the eternal cause.
Sin
Estrangement from god
Sin
An act that is regarded by theologians as a transgression of God's will
Sin
Ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle
Sin
(Akkadian) god of the moon; counterpart of Sumerian Nanna
Sin
The 21st letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Sin
Violent and excited activity;
They began to fight like sin
Sin
Commit a sin; violate a law of God or a moral law
Sin
Commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake;
I blundered during the job interview
Common Curiosities
Who determines what a crime is?
Legal statutes and laws of a society determine what constitutes a crime.
Are sins universal?
In many religions, certain sins are considered universal.
Can an act be both a crime and a sin?
Yes, some actions can be considered both crimes and sins.
Can a lawful act be a sin?
Yes, an act can be legal but still considered a sin in certain beliefs.
What defines a crime?
A crime is an act that violates a law and is punishable by the state.
What are the consequences of committing a crime?
Legal penalties, fines, or imprisonment.
How are sins resolved?
Often through repentance or forgiveness in religious terms.
Do all religions have the same concept of sin?
Different religions may have varying concepts and lists of sins.
How is sin defined?
Sin is a moral or religious transgression, considered wrong or offensive.
Who judges what a sin is?
Sins are judged based on religious or moral standards.
Is the concept of crime present in all cultures?
Yes, but what constitutes a crime varies widely across cultures.
What are the consequences of committing a sin?
Spiritual consequences, guilt, or needing repentance.
Are crimes universal?
No, what is considered a crime can vary by jurisdiction.
How are crimes resolved?
Through legal proceedings and the justice system.
Can a sin have legal consequences?
Only if the sinful act also violates legal laws.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Opah vs. Sunfish
Next Comparison
Design vs. DesigningAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
