Bible glossary
What Does ‘Sin’ Mean in the Bible?
Sin is anything that falls short of God's goodness: the wrong we do, the good we fail to do, and the deeper condition of hearts turned from God.
In short
Sin is anything that falls short of God's goodness: the wrong we do, the good we fail to do, and the deeper condition of hearts turned from God.
The Bible uses several images for sin: missing the mark, crossing a line, rebelling, going astray. Underneath the individual wrong actions is a condition, a bent in every human heart that turns away from God and toward self. This is why the Bible says all have sinned.
Scripture never treats sin as a small thing, because it is what breaks relationship with God and wounds ourselves and others. But it names the problem honestly precisely so it can announce a real cure, rather than leaving us to pretend we are fine.
Key verses
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
1 John 1:8
Sin and Jesus
The reason the Gospel is good news is that Jesus dealt with sin at its root. He did not come to condemn people already weighed down by it, but to lift it off them. He bore our sin so we would not have to carry it forever.