If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Earlier in the book, the same apostle writes: Both greater and lesser sins can fall under this category. A person may have this attitude, yet still sin on occasion out of weakness, ignorance, bad judgment, or even inadvertently. 'A sin which does not lead to death' is one that is genuinely repented of and for which forgiveness is available because the attitude of the sinner is meek and truly sorrowful. The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Sixteen) This is why John says that all wrongdoing is failure, but some failure is much more serious than others.

It is failure to apply or to live up to the standard of what is right. A general element that is present in all sin, regardless of which word is used, is failure. Quite a number of words-Hebrew and Greek-are translated into this single English word sin. Sin, then, can be defined as 'going beyond the limit of what the law allows.' Righteousness is applying the law's letter and/or its intent! Transgress means 'to go beyond the limit,' 'to violate,' giving us a broad foundation for understanding this. I John 3:4 reads, 'Sin is the transgression of the law.' We need to define transgression. ' All unrighteousness-all wrongdoing-is sin.

Wisdom is 'right application,' that is, 'right doing.' Righteousness, then is 'right doing.' 'All Your commandments are right doing. Righteousness is a combination of two words, right, meaning 'correct,' and wise, although it is not spelled anything like our modern word wise. It is slowly being replaced by the word rectitude. Psalm 119:172 says, 'All Your commandments are righteousness.' What does the word righteousness mean? It is an Old English word that we still use today, especially in religion. The concept in these two verses provides a foundation for showing that the Bible clearly categorizes sin in a number of different ways.įirst, we must define a few terms.

Greek interlinear bible 1 john 5