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The Concepts of Sin in the New Testament
Examining the many Greek words defining the concepts of sin expands our understanding of sin and how it affects us.
by John Meakin
The Feast of Unleavened Bread, one of God’s annual festivals, depicts the Christian’s need to eliminate sin from his life. But to live a sin-free life we must first understand what sin is. God gives us this understanding through many scriptures.
The New Testament, which was written in Greek, contains many words that add to our understanding of the concept of sin. These are translated into various English words in addition to "sin." A close study of the use of these terms can prove rewarding in expanding our understanding of sin and its effects in our life. Following is a summary of the Greek words defining the concepts of sin.
• Falling short: hamartia, hamartema, hamartano. This word in various forms occurs around 250 times and is the most common way in the New Testament to express the concept of sin. The central idea is to "miss the mark." This word is used several ways. It can refer to general sin or wrongdoing (John 8:21) or specific acts of sin (Matthew 12:31; 1John 5:16). The apostle Paul also used it to personify an ungodly power that can control people (Romans 6:6). It also refers to the inward element that produces wrongdoing (Romans 3:9; 7:13).
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