Question:

Are there degrees of sins?

Answer:

In Leviticus chapters 4, 5, and the first part of chapter 6 indicate that God does look upon not only different sins differently but also who commits the sins. Remember if it's the high priest there's one penalty, if it's a normal lay person it's another penalty, if it's a leader like a tribe prince there's another penalty, so yes I think God looks upon different degrees of sin.

Comment:

In appendix 44 of your Companion Bible there are 15 different Hebrew words (different meanings) for sin and trespass, and all of them are used in God's word. That is also an indication. Common sense will dictate there are sins that are a lot less offensive to God than murder or rape. Those two are punishable by death. There is no atonement for those sins in the flesh. I John 3: 15 will document there is no salvation for a murderer in the flesh. Why? Because back in Deuteronomy 19 and Numbers 35 we learn the punishment for Murder is that they are to be dispatched to our Father. There's where the real court is held. Compare that to a person that grew up on a farm with some of the best bacon earth has ever seen only to learn as an adult the reasoning and reality of pork not being on our menu. That person might find it very difficult to give up those two slices in the morning, and if they are eating at the same table as the others and smell it cooking, watch other eating, and truly miss the flavor, it might take them years to quit and they might have several relapse moments... That is a sin against your flesh. Yes it bothers our Father the same way smoke in your eyes bothers you, but he won't equate your silly addiction to garbage the same way he will treat one with the heart of a murderer.

Doco:

You will find your answer documented here:

Appendix 44

Sin, Trespass, Iniquity, etc.

There are many synonymous words to represent the outworking of man's fallen nature. As these are not always translated by the same English word, it is necessary that we should distinguish them. The student, by reference to the following list, will be able to do so :-

i. chat'a, to sin; to miss the mark (as in Judges 20:16). Also of the feet, to stumble and fall (Proverbs 19:2). Hence, morally, a coming short, blameworthiness-not necessarily willful. An act of thought, word, or deed, not a condition. Usually (but by no means always) rendered sin, and other words also so rendered.

ii. 'asham, trespass, to sin through error or ignorance. Compare Leviticus 4:13; 5:2, 3. Numbers 5:6,7. Judges 21:22. 1 Chronicles 21:3. 2 Chronicles 19:10; 28:10,13. 'Asham is a breach of commandment, done in ignorance, but, when the guilt is proved, requiring atonement.

iii. 'aven, iniquity, specially connected with idolatry. Used because an idol is nothing and vanity (compare Hosea 4:15; 5:8; 10:5, 8. Amos 5:5, marg.). Hence, 'aven comes to mean vanity (compare Job 15:35. Psalm 10:7. Proverbs 22:8, etc.). The word has many renderings, which are pointed out in the passages when it occurs. 'Aven is rather a course of bad conduct flowing from the evil desires of fallen nature, than breaches of the law as such.

iv. 'avah, perverseness, from the root to be bent, or crooked. English wrong that is to say, wrung out of course, expresses it ( compare 1 Samuel 20:30. 2 Samuel 19:19. 1 Kings 8:47. Job 33:37, etc.).

v. 'amal, trouble, labour, toil. Sin viewed in the light of the trouble it causes; and of its burden and its grievousness (Isaiah 10:1 Habakkuk 1:3). Often rendered perverseness (Numbers 23:21), also mischief (Job 15:35).

vi. 'aval, unjust, unfairness, sin in its nature as deceitful, dishonesty, that which is not equal and right, unfairness in dealings. Rendered unjust (Psalm 43:1; 82:2. Proverbs 29:27. Isaiah 26:10), unrighteous (Leviticus 19:15, 35).

vii. 'abar, to pass beyond, transgress. Hence, transgression (Psalm 17:3. Hosea 6:7; 8:1).

viii. ra'a', wicked, injurious. From its root, which indicates its nature as breaking up all that is good or desirable; injurious to all others. In Greek poneros, evil, or kakos, bad. Hence especially of moral depravity and corruption, and lewdness. English "good-for-nothing" (1 Samuel 17:28), naughty (2 Kings 2:19. Proverbs 20:14. Jeremiah 24:2).

ix. pash'a, revolt, rebellion. Sin against lawful authority. Often rendered transgression (Psalm 51:13. Proverbs 28:21. Isaiah 43:27). In Proverbs 10:12 the action of love or mercy shown stands in strong contrast to this character of the sin.

x. rasha', wickedness, in the sense of the restless activity of fallen nature (Job 3:17. Isaiah 53:9 57:20, 21); where it refers to the activity of the impious and ungodly, or robbers.

xi. ma'al, treachery, unfaithfulness, breach of trust, often rendered trespass and transgression. It is used of Achan (Joshua 7:1; 22:20). Compare Joshua 22:16. 2Chronicles 26:18; 28:22; 33:19. Ezra 9:2,4. Nehemiah 13:27, etc.

xii. shagag, erring from imprudence, rashness, being deceived, not willfully; and shagah, erring willfully through passion or wine, hence, to go astray. As sin it is to be distinguished from presumptuous or high-handed sin. Compare Leviticus 4:13. Numbers 15:22, etc., with Numbers 15:30. Psalm 119:21.

xiii. zimmah, meditated wickedness, plotted, planned, and designed; wicked, or lewd purpose, especially of sins of unchastity.

xiv. chasad = shameful. A Homonym, meaning (1) Here, and Job 37:13 (where it is rendered "mercy" in Authorized Version and Revised Version). But "lightning" is not "mercy", but chastisement. (2) The other meaning is mercy, lovingkindness, or grace. See note on Leviticus 20:14.

xv. shal, fault, committed inadvertently through negligence.

I John 3: 15

15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.