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The Bible reveals that fallen mankind is corrupted by sin. The word “sin” is translated from the Greek word hamartia (ham-ar-tee'-ah). It literally means “missing the mark.” The “mark” or target of reference is the righteousness of God. (cf. Psalm 116:5; 145:17; John 17:25; Romans 3:9-18; 23; 5:12; 1 John 1:9)
According to the Apostle John, sin is the equivalent of lawlessness. He said, “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin (hamartia) is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4-5) The apostle’s phrase “sin is lawlessness” can also be translated “sin is the transgression of law.” Absolute Corruption Fallen mankind is corrupted by sin. Affecting spirit, soul (mind, will, emotion) and body, the corruption caused by sin is absolute. (Genesis 6:5; Ecclesiastes 9:3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 1:28; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 4:1; 1 Timothy 4:2; cf. Ephesians 4:17, 19) Relative to the absolute corruption by sin the Old Testament states, “…the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth”; every member of the human race is “brought forth in iniquity” and naturally “estranged from the womb.” (Genesis 8:21; Psalm 51:5; 58:3) The Apostle Paul added that the corrupted live in the lusts of the flesh, “… indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind” because they are “by nature children of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:1-3) He further revealed that they are “…alienated and hostile in mind.” (Colossians 1:21) As a result of the absolute corruption, the fallen are hostile to God; do not seek Him; and love the darkness rather than the light. (John 3:19; Romans 3:11; 8:7) Generally, the corruption of sin is described in the Bible as unrighteous, bad, evil, wicked, and unjust. As a result, every human being is guilty of transgression, error, iniquity, injustice, rebellion, wrongdoing, and lawlessness. |
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Sin in Principle and Practice
The practice of sin is not the fundamental problem for fallen mankind. It simply provides evidence of a much more serious problem. Fallen humanity is corrupted from within. Sinful human life is controlled by the indwelling principle of sin, often referred to as the “sin nature” (source). As a result, human beings naturally and habitually engage in the practice of sin (effect). Jesus substantiated the natural corruption of human life by the indwelling principle of sin (source). He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness (effect). All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” (Mark 7:20-23) The Apostle Paul also confirmed the corruption of human nature by the indwelling principle of sin (source). He stated that mankind is “filled [completely full of] …unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil;…envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful (effect).” (Romans 1:29-31) As evidenced by perpetual lawlessness in practice (effect), fallen mankind is utterly corrupted by sin in principle (source): |
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The principle and practice of sin can be distinguished as follows:
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As indicated, the New Testament usage of the word “sin” can describe not only the corrupt nature of man (principle of sin: source) but also the corresponding behavior that emanates from the nature of man (practice of sin: effect). Discerning the difference requires understanding the immediate context in which it is used.
Man is not a sinner because he practices sin. He practices sin because he is a sinner. © 2023 James Hiatt |
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