What is SIN - 2

Introduction

The existence of sin is an undeniable fact. No man can examine his own nature, or observe the conduct of his fellow men, without having the conviction forced upon him that there is such an evil as sin. This is not a purely moral or theological question. It falls also within the province of philosophy, which assumes to explain all the phenomena of human nature as well as of the external world. Philosophers, therefore, of every age and of every school, have been compelled to discuss this subject. The philosophical theories, as to the nature of sin, are as numerous as the different schools of philosophy. This great question comes under the consideration of the Christian theologian with certain limitations. He assumes the existence of a personal God of infinite perfection, and he assumes the responsibility of man. No theory of the nature or origin of sin which conflicts with either of these fundamental principles, can for him be true. Before entering upon the statement of any of the theories which have been more or less extensively adopted, it is important to ascertain the data on which the answer to the question, What is sin-? is to be determined; or the premises from which that answer is to be deduced. These are simply the declarations of the word of God and the facts of our own moral nature. Ignoring either wholly or in part these two sources of knowledge, many philosophers and even theologians, have recourse to the reason, or rather to the speculative understanding, for the decision of the question. This method, however, is unreasonable, and is sure to lead to false conclusions.  (Charles Hodge - Systematic Theology)

A.  Asham (H816-819) 1.a primitive root; to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish :- × certainly, be (-come, made) desolate, destroy, × greatly, be (-come, found, hold) guilty, offend (acknowledge offense), trespass.2.guilt; by implication a fault; also a sin-offering :- guiltiness, (offering for) sin, trespass (offering). 3. guilty; hence presenting a sin-offering :- one which is faulty, guilty 4. guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering :- offend, sin, (cause of) trespass (-ing, offering). (Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary)

1. Asham and its derivative are used over 100 times in the Old Testament.

2. ²Or if anyone touches an unclean thing, whether the carcass of an unclean wild beast or of an unclean domestic animal or of unclean creeping things that multiply prolifically, even if he is unaware of it, and he has become unclean, he is guilty (asham).  ³Or if he touches human uncleanness, of whatever kind the uncleanness may be with which he becomes defiled, and he is unaware of it, when he does know it, then he shall be guilty (asham).  Leviticus 5:2-3

1. Notice here that in one case you are guilty even if you are unaware but in the other case you aren't guilty until you become aware.
3. Do not accuse and hurt a servant before his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty (asham) [of adding to the burdens of the lowly].  Proverbs 30:10
4. [She] said, Why then have you planned such a thing against God's people? For in speaking this word the king is like one who is guilty (ashem), in that [he] does not bring home his banished one.  2 Samuel 14:13
1. Here King David is guilty of a double standard.
2. "he contradicts and condemns himself, in swearing that her son who had killed his brother should not die, nor an hair of his head be hurt, but should be in the utmost safety; and yet he sought to put his own son to death for a like crime,...." (John Gill)
5. And said, You shall not bring the captives in here; we are guilty (ashmah) before the Lord already, and what you intend will add more to our sins and our guilt (ashmah). For our trespass (guilt) (ashmah) is great, and there is fierce anger against Israel. 2 Chronicles 28:13
6. Asham and it derivatives can also be translated:
1. Trespass —  Then said the man [an angel] to me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are opposite the yard, are the holy chambers where the priests who approach the Lord shall eat the most holy offerings; there shall they lay the most holy things--the meal offering, the sin offering, and the trespass or guilt offering— for the place is holy.  Ezekiel 42:13
2. Desolate —  Joel 1:18 How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. (KJV)
3. Offense —  I will return to My place [on high] until they acknowledge their offense and feel their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction and distress they will seek, inquire for, and require Me earnestly, saying, Hosea 5:15

 

B. The equivalent Greek word is: Enochos (G1777) liable to (a condition, penalty or imputation):—in danger of, guilty of, subject to. (Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary)

1. ²¹You have heard that it was said to the men of old, You shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be liable (enochos) to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court.  ²²But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice (enmity of heart) against him shall be liable (enochos) to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court; and whoever speaks contemptuously and insultingly to his brother shall be liable (enochos) to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, You cursed fool! [You empty-headed idiot!] shall be liable (enochos) to and unable to escape the hell (Gehenna) of fire.  Mathew 5:21-22

2. For whosoever keeps the Law [as a] whole but stumbles and offends in one [single instance] has become guilty (enochos) of [breaking] all of it.  James 2:10
3. So then whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a way that is unworthy [of Him] will be guilty (enochos) of [profaning and sinning against] the body and blood of the Lord.  1 Corinthians 11:27
4. Hebrews 2:15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to (enochos) bondage. (NKJV)

C.  No matter how you look at it, both word ultimately mean we are guilty before God.

What is SIN?

Introduction

I am going to interrupt our studies to discuss an important topic.  I am going to be quoting from "A Theology for the Church" by Danial L. Akin.  All Bible quotes are from the Amplified Bible at BibleGateway.com.

Since the fall, no one has been able to elude the entanglements of their own sinfulness. No matter how enlightened we may be or how advanced our technological discoveries, we still find ourselves ravaged by hatred, lust, rage, and covetousness. We contend against the adversary of our ancestors: the sin that resides within each of us. We do not like to think of ourselves as helpless, yet the doctrine of sin reminds us that we are unable to extricate ourselves from the grip of our sinfulness.

These misunderstandings about the nature of sin may stem in part from the demise of meaningful and honest discourse on the subject. Although important and relevant, the topic of sin is not the most popular of issues. Modern attitudes about the subject consider it either unpleasant and inappropriate or irrelevant and passé. Recent years have witnessed a decline even in the use of the word. Several years ago, psychiatrist Karl Menninger wrote a book entitled Whatever Became of Sin? In this work Menninger called attention to the fact that "sin" is an all-but-extinct term in the American vocabulary. He noted that simply removing the word sin from our collective vocabularies would not make it disappear. Menninger argued for an understanding of sin that included willful rebellion against the standards of God.

We should take this observation to heart. We deceive ourselves if we believe that we can either minimize or eliminate the reality of sin simply by ignoring it or changing its name. Redefinitions or misunderstandings about sin do not lessen our accountability. We should also admit that such evasive efforts are themselves manifestations of sin. We live in an age that strives to ease or eradicate moral and spiritual culpability; to confess our sinfulness will painfully confront us with our shortcomings and accentuate our guilt. Our unwillingness or failure to address sin truthfully will not, however, achieve our liberation from its insidious presence, power, and penalty. The rejection of the biblical doctrine of sin does not invalidate its reality or power. To disregard the reality of sin will eventuate in individual and societal destruction. (A Theology for the Church)

Definitions

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Any thought, word, desire, action, or omission of action, contrary to the law of God, or defective when compared with it.

 Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

Sin is a riddle, a mystery, a reality that eludes definition and comprehension. Perhaps we most often think of sin as wrongdoing or transgression of God's law. Sin includes a failure to do what is right. But sin also offends people; it is violence and lovelessness toward other people, and ultimately, rebellion against God. Further, the Bible teaches that sin involves a condition in which the heart is corrupted and inclined toward evil.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Romans 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Romans 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment, and calls down the righteous wrath of God. Hence sin carries with it two inalienable characters, (1) ill-desert, guilt (reatus); and (2) pollution (macula).", A.A.Hodge's Outlines.

A Biblical Definition

For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].  Romans 14:23

My definition

Sin is anything, known or unknown, that keeps anyone from being like Christ.  See 1 Peter 1:15-16

Additional sources for definitions may be found at http://www.studylight.org/dic/