Whether sin can be the punishment of sin?

❌ Objection 1 : It would seem that sin cannot be the punishment of sin. For the purpose of punishment is to bring man back to the good of virtue, as the Philosopher declares (Ethic. x, 9). Now sin does not bring man back to the good of virtue, but leads him in the opposite direction. Therefore sin is not the punishment of sin.

❌ Objection 2 : Further, just punishments are from God, as Augustine says (Qq. lxxxiii, qu. 82). But sin is not from God, and is an injustice. Therefore sin cannot be the punishment of sin.

❌ Objection 3 : Further, the nature of punishment is to be something against the will. But sin is something from the will, as shown above (Question [74], Articles [1],2). Therefore sin cannot be the punishment of sin.