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Hamartiology Study

Nature of Sin

Sin is lawlessness, rebellion, distortion, and failure to love God rightly.

HumanitySin

Formal Definition

Sin is any thought, desire, act, or condition contrary to the character, will, and glory of God.

Key Scriptures

Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
1 John 3:4
James 4:17

Explanation

Sin includes commission and omission, outward acts and inward corruption. It is personal and structural, individual and corporate, yet always rooted in disordered worship and rebellion against God.

Scripture Index

Genesis 6:5
Psalm 51
Romans 1:18–32
Romans 3:9–23
James 4:17

Subtopics

Transgression
Iniquity
Missing the mark
Corruption

Application / Why It Matters

A serious doctrine of sin leads to repentance, confession, humility, and a deeper appreciation of Christ’s saving work.

Historical / Church Reflection

The church has consistently rejected attempts to reduce sin to ignorance alone or to purely social dysfunction.

Viewpoints / Debates

Debates often concern total depravity, inherited corruption, and the effects of sin on freedom and reason.

Related Topics

Image of GodHuman beings are created in the image of God and therefore possess dignity, purpose, and moral…Fall of HumanityThe fall describes humanity’s rebellion in Adam and the resulting corruption, alienation, and death that entered…TemptationTemptation is the enticement toward sin arising through the world, the flesh, and the devil.