What Is Sin?... As Defined by the Bible and Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ was crucified because of one simple word: sin. But what exactly is sin? It may not be a word we think much about, yet, God gave His only begotten Son to suffer through an excruciatingly painful death so that everyone in the world could be forgiven and cleansed of sin. Obviously, it is important--something we need to know. So, let’s see what the Bible says because there are a bunch of weird ideas about what sin is coming from the minds of men.
But the Bible gives a clear and simple definition which is what we’ll discuss in this video.Then we’ll build on that definition with what Jesus Christ taught.
But before we get into it, if you are new to this channel, we make these videos to explain Bible topics in an easy to understand way. We believe the Bible is the foundation of truth, and everyone can benefit from it. So give us a like, and help spread the Word.
First, let’s define sin. The English word sin simply means, “an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.” Both the Hebrew and Greek words translated sin (Strong’s H2398 Hata and G266 Hamartia) indicate: “To miss the mark, to err or be mistaken, to do or go wrong”; “To wander from, or violate God’s law.”
The clearest Biblical definition we’ll use to build on in this video is found in 1 John 3:4: It says, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” The KJV says it this way, providing a little more clarity, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
In other words, sin is the violation, or breaking, of the law. But what law? This is clearly not referring to traffic or civil laws outside of the Bible. Neither is this referring to the hundreds of additional laws prescribed by the Jewish Rabbis over the years that Jesus Himself condemned. So what law is it talking about? The Bible gives the answer.
James makes it clear, “He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2:11) The law being referenced is the Ten Commandments.
In another place, the Apostle Paul said, “...I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” (Romans 7:7) Again, directly referencing the Ten Commandments.
The Bible’s primary definition of sin is the breaking of the Ten Commandments. The Bible does show that sin includes showing partiality (James 2:9), not doing good (James 4:17), a proud heart (Prov 21:4) acting against faith (Romans 14:23) and various other offenses, but the Ten Commandments form the core of God’s law, and all sin can be traced back to breaking one or more of the Ten Commandments.
Building on this idea, Jesus explained that sin was not JUST physically breaking one of the Ten Commandments, but rather, there was an even deeper, spiritual component. In His sermon on the mount, He said, “You have heard it was said… ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Jesus was saying it wasn’t just the physical act of adultery that constituted sin. Sin was committed when the idea of breaking the law was entertained in the mind. In the same sermon He said, “You have heard that it was said… ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’” But He went on to explain that even the attitude of hate toward another person is breaking the spirit, or full intent, of the law, putting them in danger of judgment.Jesus showed that sin actually begins in the mind.
This same concept is shown in James 1:15, “when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:15) In short, the primary biblical definition of sin is the breaking of the Ten Commandments. This happens whether we break the letter or the spirit of the law by our actions, words, thoughts, or even wrong motivations.
And at some point, all of us have broken one of the ten commandments, either in the letter or in the spirit of the law.This is why we read, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
This is why we need the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to cover our sins. Because even though we are to repent and turn away from sin, all of the obedience in the world cannot make us right with God. Only “the blood of Jesus Christ… cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
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