Word Research
What is Sin?
In the Old Testament, the word for sin is “khata”, meaning “to fail” or “to miss the goal.”
1 John 3:4 – “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
We see from 1 John 3:4 that we have sinned when we transgress the 10 Commandments which is also known as God’s Law.
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
All of us have sinned against the Commandments of God and are completely dependent on Jesus Christ for salvation. Acts 4:12 – John 3:16 – John 3:36 – Romans 10:9-10 – 1 Timothy 2:5-6 – Ephesians 2:8-9 – 1 John 5:12 – Titus 3:5-6
James 4:17 – “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
God winks at ignorance Acts 17:30 however for those who know transgression of God’s Law is sin yet does not uphold the law, to him, it is counted as sin.
1 John 5:17 – “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.”
Unrighteousness is defined as not obeying the truth. – Romans 2:8 and in John 17:17 we find out what the Bible defines as “truth” – “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Proverbs 24:9 – “The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.”
The Bible defines foolishness as despising wisdom and instruction from the most high. – Proverbs 1:7 & Proverbs 15:5. The wisdom and instruction given us is found in the Bible and 10 Commandments.
Proverbs 21:4 – “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.”
These verses collectively illustrate that a proud heart is characterized by arrogance, self-exaltation, and a disregard for God’s authority. God’s authority is seen in the 10 Commandments given to mankind. Proverbs 16:5 – Proverbs 21:4 – Proverbs 6:16-17 – Psalm 101:5 – Isaiah 2:11-12 – James 4:6 – Luke 1:51 – Proverbs 28:25
In English
Sin
In Hebrew
khata
In Greek
hamartia
Word Count
The word “sin” appears 448 times in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. This count includes both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Sin Explained
Sin is a universal problem affecting all humanity, characterized by disobedience to God’s law (10 Commandments), resulting in separation from God and spiritual death. However, through faith in Jesus Christ, believers can receive forgiveness of sins which returns them to a sinless state.
Remaining sinless and being covered in Jesus Christ’s righteousness is conditional on remaining in accordance with God’s Law. Upon transgression of God’s Law again, the individual returns to a fallen, sinful state and in need of the redeeming power of Christ. Man is never able to remain sinless and will always be dependent on Jesus Christ for as long as the time of probation remains open or until physical death occurs.