WHAT IS SIN? Dictionary defines “sin” as: “A transgression of a religious or moral law, especially when deliberate. A condition of estrangement from God as a result of breaking His law.” However, in the Bible there are several words (in the Hebrew and the Greek) that are translated “sin”. In the Old Testament (KJV), there are three Hebrew words that are translated “sin”: i.) Pesha - Strongs Concordance # 6588. pesha, peh-shah; from H6586; a revolt (national, moral or religious): − rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass. ii.) Avon - Strongs Concordance # 5771. avon, aw-vone; from H5753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil: − fault, iniquity, mischief, punishment (of iniquity), sin. iii.) Chattah - Strongs Concordance # 2398. chata, khaw-taw; a prim. root; prop. to miss; hence (fig. and gen.) to sin; by infer. to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causat.) lead astray, condemn: − bear the blame, cleanse, commit [sin], by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend (-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin (-ful, -ness), trespass. All three words describe “sin” yet there are differences. Notice the differences between iniquity, transgression and sin: Psalms 32:5 (NKJV): I acknowledged my sin (chattaah) to You, And my iniquity (avon) I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions (pesha) to the LORD,” And You forgave the iniquity (avon) of my sin (chattaah). Selah. Exodus 34:7 (NKJV): Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity (avon) and transgression (pesha) and sin (chattaah), by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity (avon) of the fathers upon the children and the childrens children to the third and the fourth generation. Sin is simply “missing the mark”. Take an archer for an example. An archer aims at the bull’s eye on the target with his arrow in his bow. The archer shoots and misses the mark. He sinned (chattah) - because he missed the mark. Therefore, when we miss God’s mark (target), we sin. “Avon” translated as “sin” which means iniquity, perversity, depravity is worse than “missing the mark” (chattah). “Pesha” translated as “sin” which means transgression, rebellion, revolt is worse than “missing the mark” (chattah). As all dogs are animals and yet not all animals are dogs, therefore all “iniquity” and “transgression” are sin and miss the mark, but not all “sin” (missing the mark) is equal to “iniquity” and “transgression”. The New Testament has two Greek Words that clearly distinguish between transgression and iniquity: Strongs Concordance #264. hamartano, ham-ar-tan-o; to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (fig.) to err, esp. (mor.) to sin. – for your faults, offend, sin, trespass. Strongs Concordance #458. anomia, an-om-ee-ah; from G459; illegality, i.e. violation of law or (gen.) wickedness: – iniquity, X transgress (-ion of) the law, unrighteousness. 1 John 3:4: Whosoever committeth sin (hamartia:G266) transgresseth (anomia) also the law: for sin (hamartia:G266) is the transgression (anomia) of the law. Matthew 7:23: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (anomia). A Greek word akin to anomia is adikia. From Strongs Concordance: #93. adikia, ad-ee-kee-ah; from G94; (legal) injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness (of character, life or act): – iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong. Luke 13:27: But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity (adikia). 1 Corinthians 13:6: Rejoiceth not in iniquity (adikia) but rejoiceth in the truth; 2 Timothy 2:19: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (adikia).
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 23:14:24 +0000
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