Defining Sin

Romans 3:10–23 AV 1873

10 as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 and the way of peace have they not known: 18 there is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Missing the Mark

Understanding how God desires humanity to view sin requires a basic understanding of the Hebrew and Greek words translated sin, and there are several words in the Old and New Testament that are used to define sin. The most common of the terms found in the Old Testament is חֵטְא chêṭʾ, and means, “grievously, offence, (punishment of) sin.” The New Testament word that is most used is ἁμαρτάνω hamartanō, and means, “to act contrary to the will and law of God” or “to miss the mark.” The Bible terms for sin give the clear understanding that to sin an offense to God’s moral character. Therefore, sin is the state of being or action that is in direct violation to God and His laws.

Action Contrary to God’s Character

According to the Bible God views sin as an offense to Himself. God’s character is perfect including His ethical and moral uprightness. God has revealed His righteousness in Scripture specifically through the law that He established with Israel. Moses was the human prophet that God used to share with Israel and the world. These laws were given so that humanity would be able to identify how much it miss the mark of God’s holiness.

Understanding of Our Need For a Saviour

Paul states that he would not know what sin is except the law told him Romans 7:7-8

Romans 7:7–8 AV 1873

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

This is the reason hamartanō is used so often in the New Testament. Man cannot obtain the righteousness needed to appease God. James declares that even if an individual keeps all but the “lest of these commandments” that individual has broken all of them by breaking one. Man’s righteousness cannot measure up to God’s standard.

Colossians 2:11–15 AV 1873

11 in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ: 12 buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.