What Was the Nature of Cain’s Sin?

Though the Genesis narrative gives no explicit reason why God rejected Cain's offering, the cumulative evidence suggests that Cain's transgression was more than simply offering an inferior gift.

Abel's Gift Was More Excellent

While the adjective pleion (rendered "more excellent") basically means greater in quantity or quality, it can also denote what is superior because of inward worth. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that life is more than food. Life's intrinsic greater value is in view.

There may be, therefore, a suggestion here that involves the nature of the gift offered (see below).

As in any case, however, the context of Hebrews 11:4 will determine the word's meaning in that setting.

Abel's Gift Was by Faith

When the expression "by faith" appears in Hebrews 11:4ff with reference to the great characters of the Old Testament, time and time again it connotes the concept of obedience . Verse eight explicitly says what the other passages imply, "By faith Abraham . . . obeyed."

This principle becomes even more vivid when one compares the various examples of Hebrews 11 with their Old Testament background.

For instance, "By faith Noah . . . prepared an ark" (Heb. 11:7). As Moses shows in the Genesis narrative, this means he obeyed the divine instructions without question (Gen. 6:22). Offering sacrifices by faith meant acting in harmony with sacred revelation (cf. Rom. 10:17), rather than exercising human "will-worship" (Col. 2:23).

The fact that these two brothers apparently brought their offerings at the same time suggests that a heavenly instruction had been given. In view of the surrounding context, therefore, it appears that Cain's sin was disobedience, not merely a weakness in giving an inferior gift which was inferior.

Abel's Gift Was Pleasing to God

The narrative in Genesis 4 leaves the impression that the type of offering was a significant factor in God's favor toward Abel and disapproval of Cain.

Consider this. If the offering made was on account of sin, then it m reasonable to assume a blood offering was required (cf. Hebrews 9:22). This could explain the Lord's displeasure.

In my judgment, Professor Ralph Earle's comments are helpful here. He notes one idea regarding this matter:

Cain brought a bloodless offering, and thus offended Deity by posing as righteous and not in need of any sacrifice for sin. This theory has strong theological appeal. It assumes previous divine instruction as to what type of offering must be brought for making atonement for sin. There is indication that such a revelation had been given by the use of the verb form in Gen. 4:3 that can mean customary action (284).

Perhaps this is what the Hebrews writer alludes to: God bore witness to Abel's gifts, saying he was "righteous."

While Abel's offering may have been of better quality than his brother's, it seems likely that Cain's disobedience was more intense than mere selfishness in offering a less valuable gift.

When Jude places Cain in a catalog of vile rebels, he seems to confirm our view of Adam's first child's character (Jude 11)