Series: Sin

Episode 22: Sin — New Testament Words for Sin

This week Randy Johovich, Marlin Klingensmith, and C.J. Williams continue a series on Sin.

In this episode the panel will discuss definitions for sin, focusing on the New Testaments words for sin. Running time: 45:35

For episode 22, click here.

Program notes: The following are quoted in this discussion.

1. hamartano

Negation of meros -to get. Therefore it means to not get a portion of. Miss the mark. Miss, sin, offend, trespass.

1 John 1:8-9

⁸ If we say we have no sin[hamartian], we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins [hamartias], he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins [hamartias] and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. paraptoma

para – along side + ptoma – fall.

Fall alongside. A side slip, lapse, or deviation. Unintentional error or willful transgression; fall, fault, offense, sin, trespass.

Ephesians 2:1

And you were dead in the trespasses [paraptoma] and sins [hamartiais]…

3. ptaeo

Offend, stumble, to trip, err, sin, fail, fall

James 3:2

For we all stumble [ptaiomen] in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble [ptaiei] in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

4. skandalizo

From skandalon — stumbling block

To entrap, trip up, entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure. To offend.

Matthew 5:29-30

²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin [skandalizei], tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to sin [skandalizei], cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

5. parabaino

Para — alongside + baino — go

To go contrary; to violate a command; transgress, deviate. Purposefully breaking the law.

Matthew 15:2

¹ Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, ² “Why do your disciples break [parabainousi] the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.”

James 2:11

For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor [parabatas] of the law.

6. parakouw

Para — alongside + akouo — hear

Misshear, neglect to hear, disobey.

Hebrews 2:1-2

¹ Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard [akoustheisi], lest we drift away from it. ² For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression [parabasis] or disobedience [parakoei] received a just retribution….

Romans 5:19

For as by the one man’s disobedience [parakoeis] the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience [hupakoeis] the many will be made righteous.

7. apeitheis

A — negation + peitho — obey or be persuaded

Unpersuadable, contumatious, stubornly perverse, rebellious, obstinately disobedient.

Acts 26:19

Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient [apeitheis] to the heavenly vision….

Ephesians 2:1-2

¹ And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience [apeitheias]….

Ephesians 5:6

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [apeitheias].

7. opheilo

To owe in pecuniary; to be under obligation; to fail in duty; be bound, due; be guilty of; indebted to.

Luke 16:5

So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe [opheileis] my master?’

Matthew 6:12

…and forgive us our debts [opheilemata], as we also have forgiven our debtors [opheiletais].