What IS sin, anyway?

[Guest]

What is sin? Look up the word in the dictionary and you will find my picture. Cross reference over to what is redeemed and you will find me there again. Its really that simple

[Guest]

Homer:

I too have understood every category of sin to be encompassed in the word hamartia. Do you agree with the idea that there are different degrees of sin, and if so how would you rank the eight you listed? I realize this might be difficult for all eight.

Thank you for this challenge, Homer. I certainly agree that there are different degrees of sin. It seems to me that the statement, "All sins are equal" is really an attempt to minimize the more serious sins.

Here is my first attempt to rank the eight from least to worst:

1.paraptoma FALLING ASIDE, a false step, a blunder.
This seems to be an unintentional act. This is hardly worthy of being called a "sin". Yet some people will hold your blunders against you. Jesus said that if you do not forgive others their blunders, neither will you Father forgive you.

2. agnoamo NO KNOWLEDGE . Even under human law, it is said, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse". Yet, one who has no knowledge of the right thing to do, does not seem as culpable as one who does. Jesus said in his parable that the servant who did things worthy of a beating, but did not know his master's will would receive a light beating, whereas the one who did the same things, but did know his masters will, would receive a heavy beating.

3. hamartia MISSING THE MARK. I am classifying this one in its original meaning, where one aims at righteousness but fails.
In its later meaning inclusive of all kinds of sin, it should not have a place in this hierarchy.

4. parabasis STEPPING BEYOND, transgression
This seems to be a case of knowing the law of God, but deliberately going beyond the limits of that law. It seems to me that this one would correspond to that servant who "knew his master's will but still did things worthy of a beating."

5. anomia LAWLESSNESS
The lawless disciple seems to be a state of constant sin. There are people who criticize those who believe in following Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount as "legalists", believing we are "depending on works" for our salvation. However, if we are thinking of the lawlessness practised by those who make no profession of Christianity, I would tend to interchange 4 and 5.

6. paranomia BEYOND THE LAW
Those who practise paranomia think that they are "above the law", that the law does not apply to them because they themselves are so wise that it is unnecessary for them to obey the law. It may be necessary for others, but they can do the right thing without being "legalists".

7. asebia NO REVERENCE
I initially placed this one as number 8. For, having no reverence for God and His servants, using Jesus' name in a foul way, blaspheming God, and mocking the things of God, are practices which give a disciple of Christ a sick feeling inside. A disciple is greatly repulsed by such acts. Yet, many who engage in these practices as a way of life, have repented and become dedicated disciples. So I came to the conclusion that the next one is a much worse form of sin.

8. parakoa BEYOND HEARING, unwillingness to listen
This is a very serious condition. If people refuse to listen to the truth proclaimed by any of God's servants, there is no hope for them as long as they continue to refuse to listen.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 ... meting out judgment upon those who do not know God and upon those who do not listen to the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

[Guest]

"Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin." - John 19:11

Barnes' Commentary on the same verse:

"Therefore - On this account. “You are a magistrate. Your power, as such, is given you by God. You are not, indeed, guilty for accusing me, or malignantly arraigning me; but you have power intrusted to you over my life; and the Jews, who knew this, and who knew that the power of a magistrate was given to him by God, have the greater sin for seeking my condemnation before a tribunal appointed by God, and for endeavoring to obtain so solemn a sanction to their own malignant and wicked purposes. They have endeavored to avail themselves of the civil power, the sacred appointment of God, and on this account their sin is greater.” This does not mean that their sin was greater than that of Pilate, though that was true; but their sin was greater on account of the fact that they perseveringly and malignantly endeavored to obtain the sanction of the magistrate to their wicked proceedings. Nor does it mean, because God had purposed his death Act_2:23, and given power to Pilate, that therefore their sin was greater, for God’s purpose in the case made it neither more nor less. It did not change the nature of their free acts. This passage teaches no such doctrine, but that their sin was aggravated by malignantly endeavoring to obtain the sanction of a magistrate who was invested with authority by God, and who wielded the power that God gave him. By this Pilate ought to have been convinced, and was convinced, of their wickedness, and hence he sought more and more to release him."

[Guest]

Paidion,

Thanks for your reply. I can't disagree with a thing you said! So often we hear "all sins are the same". How wrong they are who say it!

I'm curious, for example, where David's sin with Bathsheba would fall. I think I would place it in your category 4. What do you (or any readers) think?

[Guest]

I agree that it's #4.. but i think there may have been a pinch of #6 thrown in for good measure. i say this because of the following account, when nathan confronted david with his sin (2 Sam. 12:1-7):

There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.”
So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.”
Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!

David's righteous indignation toward the rich man seems surprising given his action with Bathsheba; It took Nathan's accusation to open his eyes to the possibility that perhaps he felt he was above the law when to took bathsheba-- he was king, after all.

TK