What is sin?

Answer

The Bible conveys the intricate concept of sin from various perspectives using different Hebrew and Greek terms. This article will delve into some of those terms to grasp the essence of sin and its connection to God’s character. However, a key concept in Scripture is that sin is a human condition of separation or alienation from God that arises from an internal attitude of defiance against God (Mark 7:20-23;Luke 13:34).

The origin of sin can be traced back to Adam and Eve’s decision to disobey God’s explicit command (Genesis 3). Rebellion lies at the core of sin, and a rebellious, sinful nature has affected all of humanity since the fall (see Deuteronomy 9:7;Isaiah 30:9;Psalm 51:5;Ephesians 2:3). Sin is not something to be taken lightly. As Spurgeon stated, “A little thorn may cause much suffering. A little cloud may hide the sun. Little foxes spoil the vines; and little sins do mischief to the tender heart” (Morning and Evening, Morning, May 30).

One biblical perspective on sin involves the violation or transgression of God’s divine law (1 John 3:4;James 2:8-11). God established the law as the standard or ideal of righteousness for human conduct (Deuteronomy 6:24-25). Any “transgression” (‛ābar in Hebrew; parabasis in Greek) or “overstepping of God’s established boundaries” on human freedom constitutes sin (James 2:8-11). Other Greek and Hebrew terms in the Bible depict sin as disobedience, lawlessness, a misstep, and encroachment on forbidden territory (See 1 John 3:4; Romans 4:15; Romans 7:10-25). According to the ATS Bible Dictionary, sin is “any thought, word, desire, action, or omission of action, contrary to the law of God, or defective when compared with it.”

The most frequently used words for “sin” in both the Old and New Testaments are ḥāṭā’ in Hebrew and hamartanō in Greek, which initially meant “to miss the mark” or “fail in duty” (see Romans 3:23). From the Greek word derives the theological term hamartiology, which denotes the study of sin. Sinners rebel against God and violate His standard for righteous behavior. They step out of bounds, miss the mark, and fail to fulfill God’s good purpose for their lives.

Other facets of sin expressed in the Bible include a lack of faith in God «And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.», (Romans 14:23); doing evil (Deuteronomy 32:5; Romans 7:21-24); ungodliness (Jude 1:14-15); suppressing the truth or speaking falsely about God (Hosea 7:13; Romans 1:18); disobedience (Ephesians 5:5-6); and straying from God’s way or turning to “our own way” «All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. », (Isaiah 53:6).

Words for “sin” vary according to English translations and context: ungodliness, transgression, trespass, iniquity, unrighteousness, and others. The Bible alsoSpeaks of “the flesh,” which is the evil root of all sin, the depravity transmitted from Adam to all his children.

God is perfectly righteous, holy, and sinless (Habakkuk 1:13; Deuteronomy 32:4; Joshua 24:19; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 2:22). He hates sin and its corrupting effect on humans (Psalm 11:5; 2 Samuel 11:27; Proverbs 6:16-19; Zechariah 8:17). Sin condemns people to death: “For sin is the sting that results in death” (1 Corinthians 15:56; NLT; see also Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12-14; Ephesians 2:1).

It is important to let the Bible define sin and not ourselves. It’s a human tendency to mark things as “sinful” to conform to our own aversions and distastes. The Bible provides the objective standard we need. If the Bible says something is a sin, then we must agree with that assessment. If the Bible does not say something is a sin and it violates no biblical principle, then we are free to form our own convictions about it.

God, in His lovingkindness, mercy, and grace, provided the solution to sin through the atoning sacrifice of Christ His Son (Matthew 26:27-28; Romans 5:6-9; 6:21-23; 8:1-4; Ephesians 1:7). Jesus came to set us free from sin and the curse of death (1 John 1:7; 1 John 3:3-10; Romans 6:18). When we do fall short of the mark as Christians, we have a faithful Advocate to whom we can confess our sins and receive His loving forgiveness 1 John 1:8—2:2.

We praise God for His absolute sinless perfection because He loves us John 3:16; 1 John 4:7-8, 10-11. He demonstrated the extent of His love by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”, Romans 5:8, NLT. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”, 2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT. In Christ, we are cleansed, sanctified, and justified “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”, see 1 Corinthians 6:11. God has pardoned the rebels and reconciled the enemies. He has “lavished on us” the riches of His grace “wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;”, Ephesians 1:8, and He showers us with mercy upon mercy, kindness upon kindness. How can we not praise and “thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”, 2 Corinthians 9:15, NLT?

While we were fleeing from Him in utter rebellion, He called us “out of the darkness into His wonderful light” to become “God’s very own.”In possession” so that we might “show others the goodness of God” «But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: », (1 Peter 2:9, NLT). We praise God because He loves us despite our weaknesses and tendency to fail. As sinners redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, we can “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” «Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.», (Hebrews 4:16: NLT).