HAMARTIOLOGY - What is Sin and and Its Origin?

 

HAMARTIOLOGY

---

1. Hamartia (ἁμαρτία) – Missing the Mark

• Definition: "Hamartia" is the most common term for sin in the New Testament, meaning "to miss the mark" or "to fall short."
• Scriptural References:
  • Romans 3:23 – "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
  • 1 John 3:4 – "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
• Discussion:
  • This concept shows sin as a failure to achieve God's holy standard, illustrating humanity's universal need for salvation.

2. Parabasis (παράβασις) – Transgression

• Definition: "Parabasis" means "to overstep" or "to transgress," implying a willful violation of a known boundary.
• Scriptural References:
  • Romans 4:15 – "Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression."
  • Hebrews 2:2 – "For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward."
• Discussion:
  • Sin as "parabasis" reflects an intentional choice to overstep God’s commands, underscoring the accountability for willful disobedience.

3. Paraptoma (παράπτωμα) – Trespass or Fall Away

• Definition: "Paraptoma" translates to "a slip" or "a trespass," denoting an unintentional mistake or error.
• Scriptural References:
  • Ephesians 2:1 – "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."
  • Matthew 6:14 – "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
• Discussion:
  • Paraptoma highlights sin in terms of lapses or errors, focusing on God’s grace for unintentional faults and the need for forgiveness.

4. Anomia (ἀνομία) – Lawlessness

• Definition: "Anomia" means "lawlessness" or "rebellion," often reflecting a disregard for God’s law.
• Scriptural References:
  • 1 John 3:4 – "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
  • Matthew 7:23 – "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
• Discussion:
  • This term captures the rebellious nature of sin, emphasizing that disregarding God’s law severs the relationship with Him.

5. Opheilema (ὀφείλημα) – Debt

• Definition: "Opheilema" denotes sin as a debt, a moral obligation owed to God.
• Scriptural References:
  • Matthew 6:12 – "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
  • Romans 4:4 – "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt."
• Discussion:
  • This view of sin portrays humanity's spiritual indebtedness, needing Jesus’ atonement to pay the moral debt to God.

6. Adikia (ἀδικία) – Injustice or Unrighteousness

• Definition: "Adikia" translates as "unrighteousness" or "injustice," highlighting sin’s breach of justice and moral rightness.
• Scriptural References:
  • Romans 1:18 – "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men."
  • 1 Corinthians 6:9 – "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?"
• Discussion:
  • This aspect of sin underscores the moral depravity in actions against God’s standard of righteousness, stressing the justice of God in dealing with sin.

Each Greek term expands the understanding of sin from various angles, emphasizing the need for repentance, forgiveness, and salvation through Jesus Christ.

---

The Origin of Sin

The origin of sin is a complex topic with roots in both spiritual and human history. Here’s an overview of sin’s origin as presented in Scripture:

1. The Fall of Lucifer:

• Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-17 are commonly interpreted as referring to Lucifer’s rebellion, though these passages speak metaphorically of the King of Babylon and the King of Tyre, respectively. These verses describe a being who was created perfect, who then chose to rebel against God because of pride.
• Lucifer, also known as Satan, desired to be like God, rejecting submission to Him, which resulted in his fall. This act of rebellion is often understood to be the first recorded instance of sin in creation, marking pride and rebellion as the root of sin.

2. The Fall of Humanity:

• Genesis 3:1-7 recounts the story of Adam and Eve's temptation by the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The serpent (often identified as Satan) tempted Eve to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, directly disobeying God’s command.
• This act of disobedience, instigated by the desire to be “like God” in knowledge, brought sin into the human experience. It not only affected Adam and Eve personally but also had a ripple effect on all humanity, introducing sin and its consequences (e.g., separation from God, death, suffering) into the world.

3. Free Will and Sin:

• God created angels and humans with free will, a capacity to choose. Without free will, love, obedience, and relationship would be meaningless.
• James 1:13-15 explains that temptation arises from within when individuals are drawn away by their own desires and enticed. When acted upon, these desires give birth to sin. This internal dimension of sin emphasizes humanity’s personal responsibility in choosing or rejecting God’s ways.

4. The Role of Satan in Temptation:

• Revelation 12:9 describes Satan as the one who “deceives the whole world,” highlighting his role in tempting and leading others into sin.
• However, while Satan tempts, humans bear responsibility for their actions, as seen with Adam and Eve, who each chose to disobey God.

Summary:

Sin's origin lies in the misuse of free will by created beings who chose pride, rebellion, and self over submission to God. The fall of Satan represents the first recorded sin in creation, while humanity’s fall introduced sin into the human condition. This dual origin highlights the spiritual and relational break that sin causes, not only between creation and Creator but also within human relationships.

---

What are the Effects of Sin in the World and Humanity?

The effects of sin are profound, impacting individuals, relationships, communities, and creation as a whole. Here are some of the major effects of sin as highlighted in Scripture:

1. Separation from God

• Isaiah 59:2 – “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”
• Genesis 3:23-24 – After Adam and Eve sinned, they were cast out of Eden, symbolizing the loss of direct fellowship with God.
• Romans 6:23 – "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
• Effect: Sin creates a spiritual chasm, separating humanity from the holiness of God. This separation leads to spiritual death, ultimately resulting in eternal separation if reconciliation through Christ is not sought.

2. Guilt and Shame

• Genesis 3:7-8 – After disobeying God, Adam and Eve felt shame and tried to cover themselves and hide from God.
• Psalm 32:3-4 – David speaks of the physical and emotional burden of guilt: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.”
• Effect: Sin often results in feelings of guilt, shame, and a troubled conscience, affecting a person’s self-image and their relationship with God and others.

3. Bondage and Slavery to Sin

• John 8:34 – Jesus says, “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”
• Romans 6:16 – “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”
• Effect: Sin can create a cycle of bondage, trapping individuals in patterns of destructive behavior, addictions, or compulsions, which distort a person’s will and choices.

4. Distorted Relationships and Conflict

• James 4:1-2 – “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
• Genesis 4:8 – Cain’s jealousy and anger lead him to murder his brother Abel.
• Effect: Sin leads to conflict, jealousy, and broken relationships. The selfish desires and pride at the heart of sin often result in hurtful actions that damage relationships with others.

5. Physical and Spiritual Death

• Romans 5:12 – “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”
• James 1:15 – “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
• Effect: Sin brings both physical and spiritual death. While physical death entered creation because of sin, unrepentant sin also results in spiritual death—eternal separation from God.

6. Corruption of Creation

• Romans 8:20-22 – “For the creation was subjected to frustration… We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
• Genesis 3:17-18 – After the fall, God curses the ground because of Adam’s sin, resulting in a world of toil, decay, and death.
• Effect: Sin has cosmic consequences, affecting all of creation. The natural world suffers decay, death, and imbalance as a result of humanity’s rebellion.

7. Judgment and Eternal Consequences

• Hebrews 9:27 – “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”
• Revelation 20:11-15 – Describes the final judgment, where unrepentant sin leads to eternal separation from God.
• Effect: Sin brings judgment. If left unaddressed, sin leads to eternal consequences, including separation from God in what Scripture describes as the “second death” (Revelation 21:8).

8. Damage to Moral and Spiritual Perception

• 1 Timothy 4:2 – Paul warns of consciences “seared as with a hot iron,” a dulling of sensitivity to sin.
• Romans 1:21-22 – Paul explains that those who continually sin can become futile in their thinking, their “foolish hearts” darkened.
• Effect: Sin can desensitize people to morality and truth, making it harder to recognize right from wrong. This dulling of the conscience can make repentance and spiritual growth more challenging.

Conclusion:

The effects of sin permeate every aspect of human existence—our relationship with God, others, ourselves, and creation. The Bible describes these consequences to highlight the gravity of sin and our deep need for God’s grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

---

How Sin Spread Like a Virus?

Sin spreads through various mechanisms in human nature, relationships, and societies. Here’s a breakdown of the ways sin propagates according to Scripture:

1. Inheritance of a Sinful Nature

• Romans 5:12 – "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned."
• Psalm 51:5 – David states, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."
• Explanation: Scripture reveals that after Adam’s disobedience, sin entered the human race. As descendants of Adam, humans inherit a sin nature, a tendency or inclination toward sin. This doesn’t mean individuals are born guilty but that they are born with an innate propensity to sin.

2. Imitation and Influence

• 1 Corinthians 15:33 – "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'"
• Proverbs 13:20 – "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm."
• Explanation: People are influenced by those around them. Sinful behaviors and attitudes spread as individuals imitate others, sometimes unwittingly. This effect can be seen in families, peer groups, and society at large.

3. Cultural Norms and Societal Influence

• Romans 12:2 – "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
• 1 John 2:15-17 – John warns against loving the world or the things in the world, as they can lead people away from God.
• Explanation: Societies often normalize sinful behaviors and attitudes. Over time, cultural acceptance of certain sins can influence individuals to adopt them as normal or acceptable, leading to the spread of sin on a societal level.

4. Temptation and the Role of Satan

• Genesis 3:1-6 – The serpent (Satan) tempts Eve, leading her to sin.
• 1 Peter 5:8 – "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
• Explanation: Satan, described as the "tempter" (Matthew 4:3), actively seeks to deceive and tempt people into sin. He influences people through lies and deception, distorting God’s truth to spread sin further.

5. Human Desire and Personal Choices

• James 1:14-15 – "Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
• Galatians 5:17 – "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh."
• Explanation: Sin also spreads as a result of individual choices. When people yield to their own desires over God's will, they contribute to the cycle of sin and often influence others through their example.

6. Generational Influence and Consequences

• Exodus 20:5 – God warns of the consequences of sin "to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me."
• Numbers 14:18 – "The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation."
• Explanation: The choices and behaviors of one generation often affect subsequent generations. This effect is not about inheriting guilt but about the influence of parents' and ancestors' attitudes and actions on children, which can perpetuate cycles of sin.

7. Systemic and Structural Sin

• Isaiah 10:1-2 – The prophet condemns those who create unjust laws and deprive the poor of justice.
• Habakkuk 1:2-4 – Habakkuk laments systemic injustice, violence, and corruption in society.
• Explanation: Sin can also manifest in systems and institutions when injustice, corruption, or immorality becomes embedded in societal structures. These structures can perpetuate sin by normalizing oppression, corruption, and inequality, affecting countless individuals and communities.

8. The Snowball Effect of Sin

• Genesis 4:8-12 – After the fall, Cain’s murder of Abel illustrates the rapid spread of sin from Adam and Eve’s initial disobedience.
• Romans 1:28-32 – Paul describes a downward spiral where, after rejecting God, people fall into greater and more varied forms of sin.
• Explanation: Sin often leads to more sin, as each sinful action creates consequences that may lead to further disobedience. This cumulative effect accelerates sin's spread and deepens its hold in individual lives and societies.

Sin spreads through human nature, social influence, cultural norms, generational habits, and even structural systems. This highlights the pervasive nature of sin, showing why a solution beyond human effort is needed. In the Christian faith, this solution is found in Jesus Christ, whose grace, forgiveness, and transformation enable individuals to break free from the cycle of sin.

---

How to Deal with Sin?

In Christian theology, forgiveness of sin is central to God’s plan of salvation and is made possible through Jesus Christ. Here are the main ways sin can be forgiven according to Scripture, emphasizing God’s role and the response He calls from people.

1. Atonement Through Jesus Christ

• 1 John 1:7 – "The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
• Hebrews 9:22 – "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
• Romans 5:8-9 – "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!"
• Explanation: Forgiveness of sin is made possible through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. His death serves as an atonement, meaning He paid the penalty for sin so that those who believe in Him can be forgiven and reconciled to God.

2. Repentance

• Acts 3:19 – "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
• 2 Corinthians 7:10 – "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret."
• Explanation: Repentance is a turning away from sin and a decision to change one’s direction toward God. It involves a genuine sorrow for sin and a commitment to live according to God’s ways. Repentance is a prerequisite for forgiveness, as it demonstrates a person’s desire to be cleansed and changed by God.

3. Faith in Jesus Christ

• Ephesians 2:8-9 – "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
• John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
• Explanation: Faith is the means by which a person receives the forgiveness that Christ offers. Believing in Jesus—trusting in His death, resurrection, and the promise of eternal life—brings a person into a right relationship with God, where their sins are forgiven.

4. Confession of Sin

• 1 John 1:9 – "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
• James 5:16 – "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
• Explanation: Confession involves acknowledging one’s sins before God and, in some cases, before other believers. It’s a means of humbly admitting guilt and aligning with God’s truth about sin. Confession is both a step toward forgiveness and a way of experiencing God’s cleansing and healing.

5. Receiving God's Grace and Mercy

• Titus 3:5-7 – "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."
• Hebrews 4:16 – "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
• Explanation: Forgiveness is an act of God’s grace and mercy, freely given and not earned by human effort. People are called to receive this forgiveness by faith, recognizing that it is God’s gracious gift that allows sin to be forgiven and salvation to be obtained.

6. Transformation by the Holy Spirit

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
• Galatians 5:16-17 – "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
• Explanation: True forgiveness leads to transformation. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome sin and live according to God’s will. This transformation is both a sign of genuine repentance and a continuing work of grace that keeps believers in fellowship with God.

Summary:

Sin can be forgiven by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who atoned for sin through His death and resurrection. Forgiveness involves repentance, confession, and a reliance on God’s grace and mercy. Through faith and the work of the Holy Spirit, believers experience both the cleansing of sin and transformation to live a life aligned with God’s will.

---