by Curtis Hahn

Created on: May 07, 2008

For as long as I can remember, people have tried to categorize and rate sin murder is worse than a lie; adultery is worse than coveting, and so on. These four trespasses can of course be found in the Ten Commandments. But before the Ten Commandments (referred to as the Mosaic Law), or before the Levitical Law was given, sin existed.

There are four different Greek words for the English word, sin. They are so closely related, we can zero in on two basic definitions. The first definition is the most commonly used an act of unrighteousness. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve committed the first act of unrighteousness through disobedience. Cain went on to murder his brother Abel, out of jealousy or covetousness. King David committed adultery with Bathsheba. Ananias and Sapphira bore false witness before the Holy Spirit. These acts of unrighteousness are what we usually think of when we think of sin. By eating from the tree of "the knowledge of good and evil", Adam and Eve not only introduced the first act of unrighteousness into the world, but also the consequence of that act.

The second definition of sin can be derived from the Greek word hamartano, meaning "to be without a share in." After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they lost their share in the Garden of Eden - paradise; they became separated from God. "To be without a share in" can thusly be interpreted as separated.

Committing a sin and being in sin are two different things. We were all born into sin (separation from God) because of the sin (act of unrighteousness) Adam and Eve committed. As Christians, even though we have been saved from sin (separation from God), we still struggle with sin (acts of unrighteousness) on a daily basis. The apostle Paul even admitted to this struggle in Romans chapter 7.

To substantiate these two definitions of sin one step further, we can look at the crucifixion of Christ. The King James Version of 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God." The traditional interpretation of this scripture is Jesus "took on the sin of the world". While this is true, that simply means He took the blame. When Paul says, "He hath made him to be sin for us..." that means God separated him from glory, because of the blame he took on our behalf. I now read that scripture with a new understanding "For He hath made him separated for us, who knew no acts of unrighteousness; that we might be made the righteousness of God."

These two definitions of sin not only give me a better understanding of the word sin, but also a better understanding of what Christ really did. We can sit around judging each others acts of unrighteousness all day long, but they all lead to the same consequence. I am just happy that one day all sin (separation from God) will be abolished, as well as the nagging sins (acts of unrighteousness) we struggle with on a daily basis.

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