Words of “Sin” in the New Testament
Romans 5:12–21
The principal NT term is hamartia (and cognates), which is equivalent to ḥṭ’. In classical Gk. it is used for missing a target or taking a wrong road. It is the general NT term for sin as concrete wrongdoing, the violation of God’s law (Jn. 8:46; Jas. 1:15; 1 Jn. 1:8). In Rom. 5–8 Paul personifies the term as a ruling principle in human life (cf. 5:12; 6:12, 14; 7:17, 20; 8:2). paraptōma occurs in classical contexts for an error in measurement or a blunder. The NT gives it a stronger moral connotation as misdeed or trespass (cf. ‘dead through …’, Eph. 2:1; Mt. 6:14f.). parabasis is a similarly derived term with similar meaning, ‘transgression’, ‘going beyond the norm’ (Rom. 4:15; Heb. 2:2). asebeia is perhaps the profoundest NT term and commonly translates pš‘ in the LXX. It implies active ungodliness or impiety (Rom. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:16). Another term is anomia, lawlessness, a contempt for law (Mt. 7:23; 2 Cor. 6:14). kakia and ponēria are general terms expressing moral and spiritual depravity (Acts 8:22; Rom. 1:29; Lk. 11:39; Eph. 6:12). The last of these references indicates the association of the latter term with Satan, the evil one, ho ponēros (Mt. 13:19; 1 Jn. 3:12). adikia is the main classical term for wrong done to one’s neighbour. It is translated variously as ‘injustice’ (Rom. 9:14), ‘unrighteousness’ (Lk. 18:6), ‘falsehood’ (Jn. 7:18), ‘wickedness’ (Rom. 2:8), ‘iniquity’ (2 Tim. 2:19). 1 Jn. equates it with hamartia (1 Jn. 3:4; 5:17). Also occurring are enochos, a legal term meaning ‘guilty’ (Mk. 3:29; 1 Cor. 11:27), and opheilēma, ‘debt’ (Mt. 6:12).
The definition of sin, however, is not to be derived simply from the terms used in Scripture to denote it. The most characteristic feature of sin in all its aspects is that it is directed against God (cf. Ps. 51:4; Rom. 8:7). Any conception of sin which does not have in the forefront the contradiction which it offers to God is a deviation from the biblical representation. The common notion that sin is selfishness betrays a false assessment of its nature and gravity. Essentially, sin is directed against God, and this perspective alone accounts for the diversity of its form and activities. It is a violation of that which God’s glory demands and is, therefore, in its essence the contradiction of God.
Milne, B. A. with J.M. “Sin.” Ed. D. R. W. Wood et al. New Bible dictionary 1996 : 1105–1106. Print.
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