Systematic Theology IIChapter Fifty-Six

“The Nature of Sin”

PPt by Mark E. Hardgrove, PhD, DMin

Biblical Basis for the Nature of Human Sinfulness

Two basic kinds of sin:1. Sins of Commission: doing what

we should not.

2. Sins of Omission: not doing what we should do.

Biblical Basis for the Nature of Human Sinfulness

Seven Detestable sins (Prov. 6:16-19):

• Proverbs 6:16-19 (New International Version)• 16 There are six things the LORD hates,

seven that are detestable to him: • 17 haughty eyes,

a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

• 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,

• 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

The Chief Names for SinSin: The Hebrew world often translated “sin” is

chata, meaning “to miss,” “to forfeit,” or “to lack.” The basic Greeek word for sin is harmartia,which means “to miss the mark,” “to err,” “to sin.”

Trespass: The Hebrew root word is maal, which means “to cover up,” “to act covertly, that is, treacherously, or grievously.” Trespass is paraptoma which means “to slip,” “to lapse,” “to fall,” “to stumble aside,” “to offend,” or “to sin.”

The Chief Names for SinIniquity: The Hebrew is avon, which means

“perversity,” “fault,” “iniquity.” The Greek word is adikia, meaning “morally wrong,” “unjust,” “unrighteous.”

Evil: The Hebrew root word is ra, which means “bad,” “harmful,” “wrong,” even “calamity.” The Greek words for evil are poneros, meaning “evil in effect.”

Wickedness: The Hebrew rasha, which means “morally bad” or “ungodly.”

The Nature of Sin in Relation to God

Sin as Unbelief: “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6).

Sin as Rebellion: “Rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft . . .” (1 Sam. 15:23)

Sin as Transgression: (Rom. 5:17; 1 John 3:4; Ps. 51:4)

Sin as Pride: At the root of all sin is pride (1 Tim. 3:6)

Degrees of Sin

Contrary to widely held opinion, not all sins are considered (by God) to be equal.

Jesus said there were “weightier matters of the law” (Matt. 23:23, KJV), such as for example, mercy and justice over tithing. (Matt. 22:38; John 19:11). The more severe eternal punishment for some is due to the heaviness of the sins they have committed (Rev. 20:12; cf. also, 1 John 5:16; 1 Cor. 11:29-30; Matt. 12:32)

Theological Basis for the Nature of Human Sinfulness

From a theological standpoint, sin is anything that falls short of God’s perfect moral nature.1. God is Holy2. Sin is being Unholy3. God is Just (Righteousness)4. Sin is Unrighteousness (Injustice)5. God is Perfect6. Sin is Moral Imperfection7. God is Jealous8. Sin is the Absence of Godly Jealousy and the Presence of

Ungodly Jealousy (Envy)9. God is Love10. Sin is being Unloving11. God is Truth12. Sin is being Untruthful