The study of the Biblical teaching on sin, its origin, definition, kinds, consequences and its final end is called Harmartiology. The Harmartiology is from two Greek words harmartia which means ‘sin’ and logos meaning ‘discourse. The Bible gives a reasonable explanation about the definition, character, and universality of sin, and offers a solution to the problem of sin.
1. The Definition of Sin
The study of the Hebrew and Greek words used in the Bible gives us deeper understanding of sin.
a. Hebrew words for sin
Four important Hebrew words used for sin in the Old Testament are
Chattath: This word and related words are used in 580 places in the Old Testament and is translated as sin. It means ‘to miss the mark’, ‘an offense or ‘to sin.’ So sin is missing to obey the rules.
Pehshah: This word means ‘rebellion’ or ‘to break away from just authority’ or ‘to trespass. This word is translated as transgression, offend, rebel or revolt.
Avown: It means perversity or evil. It is translated as iniquity, guilt, pervert or do amiss.
Asham: It means to be guilty or at fault. It is translated as trespass.
b. Greek words for sin
Nine Greek words are used for sin in the New Testament. We will study a few among them to understand what sin is:
Hamartia: This word occurs in New Testament more than 174 times. It is translated as ‘sin ‘or ‘sins.’ It means ‘missing the mark’ or ‘taking a wrong road.’
Anomia: It occurs in fifteen places in the New Testament and means lawlessness or a contempt of law. This word is translated as iniquity.
Parabasis: It occurs in 16 places in the New Testament with the meaning transgression or going beyond the norms. It conveys that sin is stepping beyond the boundary.
Paraptoma: This word occurs in 23 places. It occurs in places where there is an error in measurement or blunder. This word is translated as trespass, sin or offense.
So sin can be defined as missing a mark, crossing a boundary line, disobedience to God’s voice, rebellion or lawlessness.
Definition of sain from the Bible
Fin is mansgression of the lave (1 Jahn 3:4)
All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17)
Omimion of known duty is sin (James 4:17)
Unbelief is sin (Rom. 14:23)
The thought of foolishness is sin (Prov. 24:9)
2. The Existence of Sin
Kevin J. Conner gives the following eight evidences to the fact of the existence of sin (Conner 1980:133).
Creation declares it – the earth is under curse and the contradiction in creation shows the existence of sin.
Human history declares it War, murder, bloodshed, moral corruption and covetousness in history declare it.
Human logic declares it – Man knows that something is wrong in himself. He sins because he has wrong inside. So logic declares it.
Human conscience declares it – When a man commits a mistake, his conscience speaks to him and it declares the fact of sin.
Human experience declares it Sin such as corruption, violence, perversion and crime in society proves the existence of sin.
Human religions declare it Religious teaching on sin and efforts to appease God declares the fact of sin.
Believers declare it A believer after salvation finds conflict within himself between his two natures. It shows the existence of sin.
Scriptures declare it – Bible declares that all men are sinners (Rom. 3:23).
3. Various Theories on Sin
Various theories have been proposed by many people on sin. A study of the theories reveals the understanding of sin by various people of the world and approve the doctrine of sin in Christianity.
a. Atheistic theory
This theory is proposed by Atheists who deny the existence of God and sin. They deny the existence of sin on the basis that there is no sin at all. This concept enables them to live as they like, since man is not accountable to God. They also try to destroy religion because it questions their sinfulness.
b. Deterministic theory
This is a fatalistic theory developed to seek an excuse for the sinful activities of man. This theory believes that man is naturally sinful and cannot overcome his sin. So he should not be blamed if he commits sin.
c. Evolutionary theory
This theory states that man evolved from animals and so he has animal characters and instincts in him. So if he commits sin then it should not be called as sin.
Hedonistic theory
world for ple Hedonistic means pleasure. This theory holds the view thai man lives in thia plesasture and he is free to do arrything that will bring pleasure to him. The common expression on this theory is. ‘Life is for enjoying the pleasures of the world, and this view is quite popular in modern times because it permits man to live as he likes.
e. Augustinian theory
This theory was proposed by St. Augustine and it gives the explanation for the presence of original sin in man. The reformers accepted this theory. This theory states that the sinfulness in human race is due to the sin of Adam. Adam’s sin is imputed to all generation of people one after another in the world. Adam is the federal head and representative of the human race. So when he sinned, sin was passed on to all his descendants (Rom. 5:12) like Levi who paid tithes through Abraham when he was in the loins of Abraham and unborn (Heb. 7:9, 10). When Adam sinned, all his generations sinned and came under guilt and judgment.
4. The Transmission of Sin
This is also called as ‘original sin’ which means
First, ‘original sin’ that refers to the sin that Adam committed in Eden. Second, the truth of transmission of sin of Adam to all his descendants.
Adam’s sin and disobedience is passed on to his descendants. So all men are sinners due to Adam’s sin (Rom. 5:14-19; 1 Cor. 15:22). This is the reason why David said, “I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin my mother conceived me” (Ps. 51:5).
The concept of original sin can be explained in the following way by federal headship of Adam. The Latin word foedus means covenant. When Adam, as the federal head of the human race, breached the covenant by his sin, it affected all those whom he represented, which is all human race. So all human race became sinners when Adam sinned as their representative head. Christ, the federal head of those whom He redeems, renewed the covenant. So all those who believe in Christ will become righteous.
5. The Extent of Sin
All people are sinners and it is proved by the sinful nature in man and what he does. Sin affected each individual and people are sinners because of what they themselves do. They are born with the sinful nature and every part of man is affected by this. Sin has affected man’s will (John 8:34; 2 Pet. 2:19), mind, thoughts and understanding (Gen. 6:5; 1 Cor. 1:21), and his affections and emotions (Rom. 1:24-27). In addition to his outward behaviour, the fact that the whole of man’s nature is affected by sin is called as total depravity.
So we are completely fallen and there is a need for full salvation for us. Total depravity also means that we are totally incapable of saving ourselves and salvation is possible only in Christ Jesus.
The Effect of Sin on Relationships
Mark’e fallen nature affected the following relationships of man
Relationship with God
God is holy. Se sinful man became unfit to be in the presence of God. Sin separated man from God (la. 59:2: Gen. 3:23). Man also became a lave breaker and came under its curse. This broken relationship was restored in Jesus because come under grace and not under law.
b. Relationship with others
The break in the relationship with God affects our relationship with others. It happened between Adam and Eve after the fall (Gen. 3:12). They began to blame each other. The conflict between nations, races and persons show the break in relationship with others. It will be restored if the broken relationship with God is restored by all.
c. Relationship with Oneself
Entry of sin into mankind produced inner conflict within each person. About this conflict, Paul wrote, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me…” (Rom. 7:24). Slavery to sin in individuals is the outcome of this conflict within themselves. This can be restored only by the Son (John 8:36).
d. Relationship with the creation
The relationship of man with the creatures and nature is also twisted since the fall of man. The nature had to bear the hostility and exploitation by man and other creatures. The creation will be delivered from the bondage of corruption soon (Rom. 8:21).
7. Sources of Sin in Man
The Bible teaches that there are four sources for sin.
Satan (John 8:44)
Man’s heart (Matt. 15:19, 20).
Lust (James 1:15).
World (1 John 2:15,16)
8. Assistance for Believers to Overcome Sin
The uniqueness of the Christian concept of sin is that there are various ways to overcome sin in this world. Here are a few among them.
Use God’s Word (Ps. 119:11).
Walk in the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-4).
Avoid evil companions (1 Tim. 5:22).
Resist sin (Heb. 12:4).
Lay aside sin (Heb. 12:1)
Confess your sin and go to the Advocate (Ps. 51:3, 4; 1 John 2:1).
