The Multifaceted Concept of Sin
September 5, 2023 reconciliation, salvation, sin No CommentsMankind’s biggest problem is sin. What is sin? “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is a transgression of the law” (I John 3:4). “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death” (I John 5:17). “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Sin is a transgression of God’s law. It is unrighteousness. It is failure to do good. There are at least nine words in the Greek New Testament that describe different aspects of sin. Let’s consider a definition of each term and an example that illustrates it. Each word emphasizes our need of a savior.
Sin (Harmartia). “Missing the Mark”
Sin is a missing of the mark when the mark is God’s will and purpose for our life. This is the most common word for sin in the New Testament (found 16 times in Rom. 6 and many other places). Whenever king Saul by pride and disobedience failed to do what God commanded him to do, he missed the mark. Saul failed to obey the command of God to utterly destroy the Amalekites (I Samuel 15). Saul and the people saved king Agag alive and the best of the livestock (I Sam. 15:9) in direct disobedience to God’s command (I Sam. 15:3). Saul’s kingdom was taken away from him by the Lord because of his presumptuous sacrifice (I Sam. 13:8-14). Samuel rebuked him for his disobedience and told him that his kingdom would not continue (I Sam. 13:13-14).
Transgression (Parabasis).
This word means to cross over the line. It is a deliberate violation of God’s law by stepping over the line that God has drawn. This sin can only be a sin of commission. It is a deliberate and defiant disobedience. It is found in Rom. 4:15 (KJV-transgression). In Rom. 2:23, we learn that breaking the law dishonors God. In Gen. 2:17, God gave Adam a clear commandment drawing the line regarding what fruit in the Garden of Eden that he was not to eat. Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. Later, after being tempted by satan, Eve yielded to the temptation and ate of the forbidden fruit. Then, she gave some of it to Adam and he did eat thereof. When they did this, they crossed the line God had drawn.
Lawlessness (Anomia).
Nomos is the Greek word for law. The prefix “a” negates this word and so we have “without law” or “lawlessness.” This term is found in I John 3:4 (quoted above). A good example of this type of sin is found in the lawlessness of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2). They offered strange fire before the Lord which He commanded them not. The priests were commanded to get the fire to burn incense from a specific location (Ex. 30:8-9). These men ignored this restriction and their violation of God’s commandment cost them their lives.
Failure To Hear (Parakoē).
This word is found in Rom. 5:19 and II Cor. 10:6 (KJV-disobedience). Two different words are found in Heb. 2:2, “transgression and disobedience”). Transgression is the deliberate breaking of the law of God and disobedience is failure or refusal to hear the law. In Numbers 22, Baalim refused to hear the word of the Lord and his own donkey rebuked him for it. Baalim was enticed to disobey God by the wages of iniquity (Num. 22:7; Jude 11).
Trespass (Paraptōma)–Falling Beyond.
This term in found in Gal. 6:1 and is translated in the KJV by the word fault. The word refers to apostasy. The idea of falling from grace. Whenever a person listens to false teaching, he/she falls away from or beyond the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Paul gives a good example of this in I Cor. 15:12 where he mentions that some among the Corinthian Christians were teaching that there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul proceeds to show the dire consequences of such a doctrine in the following verses. Giving heed to false teaching is clearly a falling beyond the word of God and puts us into apostasy which places the soul in peril of damnation. Such manifests unbelief and unbelief will damn the soul (Mark 16:16).
Ignorance (Agnoēma-not knowing).
In Heb. 9:7, the writer informs us that according to the Mosaical Law, the high priest entered into the Most Holy Place once a year with blood which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people. This word (errors) is found only once in the New Testament. It describes sin from the perspective of “ignorance.” It is ignorance of what should be known. Knowledge of God’s sacred truth is a safe guard against sinning against Him. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee” (Psa. 119:11). In I Tim. 1:13, Paul revealed that, before he became a Christian, he was injurious, a persecutor, and a blasphemer against God. He says that he did these things “ignorantly” in unbelief. Luke gives the historical account of this conduct in Acts 7, 8, & 9. Ignorance leads to unbelief which in turn leads to disobedience.
Failure to Stand (Hēttēma).
Sin always produces loss and defeat (Rom. 11:12; I Cor. 6:7). In Romans, the KJV has diminishing. In I Cor., it has fault. Defeat is the opposite of victory. If you sin against God, you are a loser. Yet, most sin because they think they will gain some advantage. Surely this is part of the deception of sin. In Luke 22:54-62, Peter denied the Lord three times. What do you suppose he thought that he would gain by doing this? Perhaps he was afraid for his life. But, when he denied the Lord, he lost something of great value–relationship with Jesus Christ. After Jesus was raised from the dead, this breach of relationship was healed (John 21).
Without Reverence (Asebeia).
The profligate life dishonors God. Sin manifests itself in a lack of piety towards God or irreverence. In Rom. 1:18, Titus 2:12, and Jude 15, the KJV translates this word as ungodly or ungodliness. Rom. 1:18-32 gives a general description of the ungodly by mentioning a list of twenty-three sins in vv. 28-32. The word shows the attitude or disposition of heart of people who have no respect for God or the things of God. They do not fear God. Consequently, they participate in irreligious acts (sin).
Without Justice (Adikia).
Unjust acts directed toward other people constitute sin. These acts are accomplished because of a scorn for justice and righteousness. These attitudes and actions violate the law of love for neighbor. They are iniquitous. Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus is described as iniquitous (Acts 1:18). This word is also found in Luke 16:8 and Rom. 1:18 (the unjust and the unrighteous). Whenever king Herod murdered the innocent children in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas, he committed a gross act of unjustness (Matt. 2:16-ff).
Sin is multifaceted. However, all sin dishonors God and challenges His sovereignty over us. Many sins harm others and mar our own character. Sin always destroys and damns. Anyone who sins is a loser. Hopefully, if you have gained an insight into your own sin, you will see your need of a savior and run to God who reconciles us to Himself by His Son Jesus Christ (II Cor. 5:17-21). Only through faith in Jesus and obedience to His commandments (I John 5:4; Heb. 5:8-9) can we be victorious (I Cor. 15:57).