There are several words in the New Testament that refer to sin. Sometimes these words can be used interchangeably because there is a lot of overlap between them. But there are also some subtle differences in their meanings. We will consider some of these words in this article.
Sin
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts” (Romans 6:12).
The word sin (Greek: hamartia) means to miss the mark (Thayer). It is the idea of aiming at a target and missing the bullseye. This was what Paul meant when he said, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We have a standard that we have been given in God’s word (2 Timothy 1:13). We sin by failing to live up to that standard.
We also have an example to follow in Christ. Peter wrote, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:21-22). Jesus lived a sinless life. He is the target at which we are aiming. When we miss the mark and fail to live as He lived, we sin.
Trespass / Transgression
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
To trespass (Greek: paraptoma) is to fall aside (Thayer). This is similar to the word transgression. “Judas turned aside” (NASB) or “by transgression fell” (Acts 1:25, KJV). Depending on the translation, paraptoma may be translated as either trespass or transgression. Too often we turn away from following the Lord. We were following, but we fall away into sin (Hebrews 3:12-13). This is what apostasy is about – we “fall away from the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1).
This should remind us that Christians can transgress the law of God and fall away. Paul warned, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). When we fall aside into sin, we need the Lord’s forgiveness (Acts 8:22). God does not tolerate sin just because we are Christians. Paul made that clear in his letter to the Romans: “Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:20-22).
Lawlessness / Iniquity
“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:23).
The word translated lawlessness or iniquity (Greek: anomia) describes one who is acting as though there is no law, which includes the idea of contempt for the law (Thayer). This can be a blatant act of rebellion – a stubborn refusal to be bound by God’s law (cf. Psalm 2:1-3). Paul described the “man of lawlessness…displaying himself as being God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Those of this attitude refuse to accept or submit to God’s law.
One can also be guilty of lawlessness through a failure to follow what has been authorized in God’s word. Unlike the rebellious, this person can be sincere and think he is serving the Lord. Jesus said, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:22-23). The fact that the individuals Jesus described were claiming to do things for Him did not change the fact that they were practicing lawlessness. We cannot simply do whatever we want in service to God; we must act with authority (cf. Colossians 3:17). His word shows us what is good (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, we must look to His word to see what He has commanded and authorized rather than acting as though that law has not been given.
Debt
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).
A debt (Greek: opheilema) is simply that which is owed (Thayer) – through a failure to pay or fulfill an obligation, a debt was incurred. In what way is sin a debt? We need to be careful not to confuse this with the wages of sin [next point]. Wages implies something that is owed to us. Debt implies something that we owe to someone else. When we sin, we owe a debt to God and we need Him to forgive us of that debt.
How does sin result in a debt being owed to God? It is because of our responsibility to Him. We have a divinely-given purpose to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). When we sin, we deprive God of the honor and service that we should be rendering to Him. No matter what we do, we cannot ever pay that back. We can be sorrowful and penitent (2 Corinthians 7:10), but that does not undo what we did. This is why we need forgiveness (cf. Matthew 18:23-27) – we cannot pay back this debt on our own.
Wage
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
The word for wage (Greek: opsonion) refers to a soldier’s pay (Thayer) or payment received for work performed. The other words we have considered are words for sin. This word is associated with sin – it is the result of sin.
Many scoff at the idea of works being necessary for salvation because they think this means we are trying to “earn” salvation. Yet our obedience does not “earn” us anything. Jesus said, “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done’” (Luke 17:10). Salvation is by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). The only thing we earn is what we earn for our sins – the “wages” which is “death” (Romans 6:23). This refers to spiritual death resulting in eternal punishment (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). Paul contrasted this with the “eternal life” that is available through Christ (Romans 6:23). When we commit sin, we are the slave of sin (cf. John 8:34; Romans 6:16); therefore, we earn wages for that service – unless we obey the Lord so that we can be forgiven.
Conclusion
Regardless of the word we use for sin, we need to remove it from our lives and avoid it in all that we do. John wrote, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin” (1 John 2:1). Each day we should have the same goal – that we “may not sin.”
