11
The Biblical Conception of Sin
Gospels and Epistles. Hence, sin is usually described in the Sacred Volume by terms that indicate with perfect clearness its relation to the Divine will or law, and leaves no uncertainty as to its essential character. In the Old Testament (Ex. 34:5 , 6 ; Psa. 32:1 , 2) three words are used to supply a full definition of sin. (1) “Trans gression” (pesha’h) or a falling away from God and therefore a violation of His commandments; with which exposition John agrees when he says that “sin is a transgression of the law” (1 John 3 :4 ) , and Paul when he writes (Rom. 4 :1 5 ) , “Where no law is, there is no transgression.” (2) “Sin” (chataah) or a missing of the mark, a coming short of one’s duty, a failure to do what one ought, for which reason the term is fittingly applied to sins of omission; with which again John agrees when he states (1 John 5 :17 ) that “all unrighteousness [or defect in righteousness] is sin,” or Paul when he affirms (Rom. 3 :2 3 ) , that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” and Christ when He charges the Scribes and Pharisees with “leaving undone the things they ought to have done” (Matt. 23 :23 ; Luke 11:42). (3) “Iniquity” (’avon) or a turn ing aside from the straight path, curving like an arrow, hence perversity, depravity and inequality—a conception which finds an echo in the words of a later psalmist (78 :5 ) who com plained that Israel had “turned aside from Jehovah like a deceitful bow,” and in those of the prophet Isaiah (53: 6 ) who confessed that “all we like: sheep have gone astray, and have turned every one unto his own way,” and in those of his countryman Hosea (7:16) who lamented that Israel “like a deceitful bow had returned, but not to the Most High.” The words employed in the New Testament to designate sin are not much, if at all, different in meaning— hamartia, a failure, fall7a false step, a blunder; and anomia, or lawlessness. Hence the Biblical conception of sin may be fairly summed up in the words of the Westminster Confession: “Sin is any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God;” or in
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker