Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 1/20/2005

Question
Hello:

I am currently working on a personal project about the nature of Sin. I am the artist and co-author of a religious, contemporary graphic novel focusing heavily on Sin. I want to include more than just the Christian viewpoint, though that will be the main focus, so am contacting experts of various different religions in order to gain a better understanding of the world view of Sin. I was hoping you could give me a rundown of Sin and your understanding of it, anything you have to offer me is helpful and much appreciated, I am open to absolutely any information concerning the subject, and I thank you in advance.

Alyssa Mogil

Answer
Hi Alyssa,
   I hope this will help:


SIN. The term "sin" is one of the most common Bible words describing the fallen condition of man. All men have sinned (1 Ki. 8:46; Ec. 7:20; Ro. 3:23; 5:12). Man's sin began with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (Ge. 3; Ro. 5:12). The penalty of sin is death (Ro. 6:23). The forgiveness of sin requires the shedding of blood (He. 9:22). Jesus Christ paid the full penalty for sin when He died and shed His blood on the cross (Ep. 1:7; He. 1:3; Ro. 5:9-10). Is. 53 describes how Jesus bore man's sin. Man receives complete and eternal forgiveness for sin by exercising personal faith in Jesus Christ (Ro. 6:23; Ep. 5:5-6; Eze. 18:4). [See Salvation.]

The key Greek word translated sin, HAMARTANO, means to err or miss the the mark (Lk. 15:18; Jn. 5:14; 8:11; 9:2; Ro. 2:12; 3:23; 5:12; 1 Co. 6:18; 15:34; Ep. 4:26; 1 Ti. 5:20; Tit. 3:11; He. 3:17; 10:26; 2 Pe. 2:4; 1 Jn. 1:10; 2:1; 3:6,8,9; 5:16,18).

The key Hebrew word translated sin, CHATA, also means to err or miss the mark (Ge. 20:6; 39:9; Ex. 9:27; 20:20; 32:30-33; Le. 4:2; 5:1; 6:2; Nu. 15:27; 16:22; De. 1:41; 9:16; 19:15; 20:18; Ju. 10:10,15; 1 Sa. 12:10; 2 Sa. 12:13; 19:20; 24:10; 1 Ki. 8:46-50; 2 Ch. 6:22; 6:37-39; Ne. 1:6; 9:29; Job 1:5,22; 2:10; 7:20; 10:14; 31:30; Ps. 4:4; 39:1; 41:4; 51:4; 78:17; 119:11; Pr. 8:36; 14:21; 19:2; 20:2; Ec. 7:20; Is. 42:24; 64:5; Je. 2:35; 14:7; 33:8; 40:3; Eze. 18:4; Da. 9:5-15).

Other O.T. Hebrew words for sin are ASHAM, meaning to be guilty (Je. 51:5; Is. 53:10); AVON, to pervert, to make crooked (1 Ki. 17:18); SHAGAH, to stray (Le. 4:13), and PASHA, to break away, to rebel against authority (Pr. 10:19) (Strong).

Key Bible passages dealing with sin are Ge. 3; 6:5; Ex. 20; Is. 53:6; Eze. 18:4,20; Mk. 7:20-23; Ro. 1:9-32; 3:9-23; 1 Co. 6:9-10; Ga. 5:19-20; Ep. 5:3-6; Col. 3:5-10; 1 Ti. 1:9-11; Re. 21:8.

What is sin? (1) The transgression of the law (1 Jn. 3:4; Jam. 2:9-10). (2) To come short of God's glory (Ro. 3:23). (3) To turn to one's own way (Is. 53:6). (4) To forsake the Lord (Ju. 10:10; 1 Sa. 12:10). (5) To do that which is wicked in the sight of God (De. 9:18). (6) To do that which is amiss, wrong (2 Ch. 6:37). (7) Lack of righteousness (Ro. 3:10).

Other Bible words for sin. Evil (Ge. 2:9). Wickedness (Ge. 6:5). Iniquity (2 Pe. 2:16). Rebellion (Pr. 17:11). Unrighteous (1 Co. 6:9). Unholy (Le. 10:10). Ungodly (Ro. 5:6). Works of darkness (Ep. 5:11). Error (Ro. 1:27). Transgression (Ro. 4:15; 2 Jn. 9). Trespass (Mt. 18:15). Offence (Ro. 4:25).

Man's sinful nature described. "only evil continually" (Ge. 6:5); "desperately wicked" (Je. 17:9); "shapen in iniquity" (Ps. 51:5); "estranged from the womb" (Ps. 58:3); "foolishness is bound in the heart" (Pr. 22:15); "righteousness is as filthy rags" (Is. 64:6); "gone astray ... turned to his own way" (Is. 53:6).

The origin of sin. (1) Sin originated with Satan's pride (Is. 14:12-14; 1 Ti. 3:6). (2) Sin entered the world through Adam's isobedience (Ge. 3; Ro. 5:12).
Cooper Abrams