Text: 1 John 3:4
There are several words in the New Testament that refer to sin. Sometimes these words can be used interchangeably and there is a lot of overlap in meaning between them. But there are also some subtle differences in their meanings. We will consider some of these words here in order to get a better understanding of sin.
Sin (Romans 14:23)
- Greek (hamartia) – to miss the mark; it is the idea of aiming at a target and missing the bullseye
- This was what Paul meant when he said we “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) – we have a standard in God’s word (2 Timothy 1:13); we sin by failing to live up to that standard
- Also, we have an example to follow in Christ (1 Peter 2:21-22) – He lived a sinless life; He is the target we are aiming for; when we miss the mark, we sin
Trespass (Ephesians 1:7)
- Greek (paraptoma) – to fall aside; similar to transgression (Acts 1:25); depending on the translation, paraptoma may be translated either trespass or transgression (or even sin)
- Often we turn away from following the Lord – we were following, but sin (Hebrews 3:12-13); this is what apostasy is about; we turn away from following Him (1 Timothy 4:1)
- This should remind us that Christians can sin (1 Corinthians 10:12) – when we sin, we need forgiveness (Acts 8:22); God does not tolerate sin just because we are Christians (Romans 11:20-22)
Iniquity/Lawlessness (Matthew 7:23)
- Greek (anomia) – acting as though there is no law; includes the idea of contempt for the law
- This could be a blatant act of rebellion – stubborn refusal to be bound by God’s law (Psalm 2:1-3); the man of lawlessness displays himself as being God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
- This could also be a failure to follow what has been authorized in God’s word (Matthew 7:22-23) – we cannot simply do whatever we want in service to God; we must act with authority (Colossians 3:17); His word shows us what is good (2 Timothy 3:16-17); we are not to act as though His law has not been given
Debt (Matthew 6:12)
- Greek (opheilema) – that which is owed; through a failure to pay or fulfill an obligation, a debt is incurred
- In what way is sin a debt? – we need to be careful not to confuse this with the wages of sin [next point]; wages implies something that is owed to us; debt implies something that we owe to someone else
- When we sin, we owe a debt to God and we need Him to forgive us of that debt – sin is a debt because of our responsibility to Him; we have a divinely-given purpose (Ecclesiastes 12:13); when we sin, we deprive God of the honor and service that we should be giving Him
- We can never pay back this debt – we can be sorrowful and penitent (2 Corinthians 7:10), but that does not undo what we did; this is why we need forgiveness (Matthew 18:23-27); we cannot make up for it on our own
Wage (Romans 6:23)
- Greek (opsonion) – a soldier’s pay; payment received for work performed; the other words we have considered are words for sin; this is associated with sin; it is the result of sin
- Many scoff at the idea of works being necessary for salvation – they think we’re trying to “earn” salvation; but our obedience doesn’t earn us anything (Luke 17:10); salvation is by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), despite the necessity of obedience (Hebrews 5:9)
- The only thing we earn is what we earn for our sins (Romans 6:23) – this death is spiritual death resulting in eternal punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9); contrasted with the eternal life available through Christ (Romans 6:23)
- When we commit sin, we are the slave of sin (John 8:34; Romans 6:16) – we earn wages for that service
Conclusion
- Regardless of the word we use for sin, we need to remove it from our lives and avoid it in all that we do
- We can be forgiven – but we must meet the conditions the Lord gave for forgiveness
