There a many synonyms used in scripture for sinful actions. Each of these words has it’s own story to tell. Here are a few of them.
Sin — (hamartia) “to be without a share in; to miss the mark; to err, be mistaken; to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong; to wander from the law of God, violate God’s law, sin. (Thayer)
The etymology is helpful here. “to miss the mark” as an archer would miss his target with his arrow. If the target is God’s expectations or will, to miss it is to violate that will, whether by commission, or by omitting what is required.
“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4).
Lawlessness — (anomia) “the condition of without law; (because ignorant of it, because of violating it); contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness. (Thayer)
1 John 3:4 shows that sin and lawlessness are the same thing. Being without law, being contemptuous of the law is a wicked thing. The laws of God have been established for the good of man. Hence, good and righteous people keep them. To disregard God’s law shows contempt for God Himself.
Iniquity — (adikia) “unrighteousness of heart and life; a deed violating law and justice, act of unrighteousness.” (Thayer)
You will notice the strong similarity to the word lawlessness above. In fact, in the KJV, in Matthew 7:23 the word anomia is translated iniquity. Both terms carry the idea of great wickedness. Christians understood just how serious it was to disregard God’s law.
Transgression — (parabasis) “a going over; metaphorically a disregarding, violating; the breach of a definite, promulgated, ratified law.” (Thayer)
This term is very precise. Again, God has promulgated (made known) His law for man. If we breach this law, that is disregard or ignore it. We are guilty of a transgression.
“And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression” (1 Timothy 2:14). Eve knew God’s command, and because of the influence of the serpent, breached that command.
Disobedience — (parakoe) “a hearing amiss; disobedience.” (Thayer) The text of Romans 11 is interesting here in that Paul talks about the disobedience both of the Jew and the Gentile. As both were disobedience, both were dependent upon God’s mercy for salvation. The Jew was cut off because of disobedience, but could be grafted back in upon repentance. The Gentile who had repented had been grafted in, but could be cut back off if their pride led to disobedience.
Offense — (skandalon) “the movable stick or trigger of a trap, a trap stick; a trap, snare; any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall; any person or thing by which one is (entrapped) drawn into error or sin.” (Thayer).
“Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matthew 18:7). Interestingly, it is sinful to cause another person to commit sin. To sin is to stumble.
All of these, and other terms indicate the serious nature of sin. They also demonstrate that sin occurs when men deviate from God’s will, either by committing a transgression or omitting a command. God takes sin seriously. We should too!
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