The Essence of Original Sin

A habit is a steady or enduring quality which inclinesa power to act. In this sense, original sin is not a habit in us who inherit it. But, in a second sense, a habit is a lastingdisposition in a complex nature which makes for the well-being or ill-being of that nature; this type of habit is sometimes called”almost a second nature.” Original sin is this latter type of habit in all who inherit it. It is an ill disposition of fallen human nature. St. Augustine (In Ps. 118, serm. 3)calls it “the languor of nature.”

Original sin is specifically one sin. It is not a complexity or plurality of sins in each human individual. It is ones in in each individual.

In its own essence, original sin is the”deprivation of the original justice.” In consequence ofthis deprivation, man’s normal drive and desire for God are changed into a drive and desire for temporary and changeable good. Since drive and desire are called concupiscence, it is accurate to call original sin (as it works out in human beings) by the name ofconcupiscence.

Original sin is not more in one person than in another;it is equally in all, and is equal in each one.