What does the Bible actually mean by "sin"?

တရားဝင်အဖြေ 2026-07-13

This is a very important question, because when many people hear the word "sin," they think of serious crimes like murder or theft, and so they conclude, "That has nothing to do with me." But what the Bible means by sin goes much deeper. The word for sin in the Bible carries the idea of "missing the mark," like an arrow falling short of its target. Sin is not merely doing a few bad deeds; it is failing to live the way God made us to live, failing to love God with our whole heart and to love others as we love ourselves. Jesus said the whole law is summed up in loving God completely and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). Measured by that standard, no one can honestly claim to have kept it perfectly. So sin is first of all a broken relationship. It is humanity turning away from the Creator, wanting to be our own master and to define good and evil for ourselves (Genesis 3). This is the root of every other problem. From this root grow all kinds of fruit: pride, selfishness, envy, bitterness, lying, indifference, and greed. Jesus went further and taught that sin is not only outward action but also the condition of the heart. Hatred is like murder, and lust is like adultery (Matthew 5:21-28). Seen this way, sin is no longer "other people's problem" but the truth about every human heart. That is why the Bible says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). This is not meant to shame us but to make us honest. When a doctor diagnoses an illness, it is not to make the patient despair, but so that healing can begin. The consequences of sin are serious. It separates us from God, "for the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). But notice the second half of that verse: "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This is the good news of the gospel. God did not leave us in our sin. He sent Jesus to bear our sin so that we could be reconciled to Him. So understanding sin is not meant to discourage you, but to help you see how deeply you need a Savior, and how deeply you are loved by God. Using the free BiblePro app, read Romans chapter 3 and chapters 5 to 6, along with 1 John, and let God's word gently shine light on you and heal you, leading you to Jesus, the one who can forgive and make all things new.