Is there a difference between sin, transgression, and iniquity?
Aren’t they the same thing?
The words seemingly are used interchangeably in the Bible.
But when you dig, particularly into the Hebrew words, a different picture emerges.
(If the subject bothers you, feel free to return to these recent posts: preschoolers or cats.)
Definitions: Sin, Transgression, and Iniquity
Let’s look at the Hebrew definitions of these three words.
Hebrew Sin:
or chattacth {khat-tawth’}; from 02398; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender:–punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin).
Strong’s Concordance 2403
Hebrew Transgression:
from 04603; treachery, i.e. sin:–falsehood, grievously, sore, transgression, trespass, × very.
06586: a revolt (national, moral, or religious); rebellion, sin.
Strong’s Concordance 06586
Hebrew Iniquity:
or oavown (2 Kings 07:9; Psalm 51:5 (07)) {aw-vone’}; from 05753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:–twistedness, fault, iniquity, mischief, punishment (of iniquity), sin.
Strong’s Concordance 5771
(As a side note, author Christopher Yuan explained that the Chinese word for “sin” is “crime.”)
How does sin different from transgression?
While sin is an offense against moral or religious law, transgression is a form of sin–with a different motivation.
Sin involves fault, but doesn’t always mean an individual made a conscious decision to commit a sin.
Transgression, on the other hand, is a deliberate decision to revolt, to disobey, to be rebellious.
(Photo by Priscilla Du Preez; Unsplash)
When a person transgresses, s/he knows what they are doing, knows it’s wrong, but does it anyway.
(You’ll notice sin is part of transgression’s definition, but transgression is not exactly part of sin’s definition).
Various versions of the word sin (as defined above), appear 486 times in the Bible, and basically means “to miss the mark.”
That implies someone is trying to behave, but makes a mistake and slips up–comes close but not close enough.
Transgression, on the other hand, is a premeditated decision. (Used 86 times in the ESV translation.)
The individual knew what was wrong, didn’t care, and did it anyway–no matter what anyone thought or what happened to them as a result.
It’s a willful choice–the Bible’s Samson is a good example.
Samson knew his actions were wrong and that they violated Biblical and personal promises. He did what he wanted anyway.
Transgression also suggests someone choosing to walk close to “the line” of acceptable behavior and then (whether “accidentally” or not) stepping over it.
It’s one thing if a person slips up and tells a “white lie,” (sin) while it’s something else if they plan to deceive you and don’t care what you think, or what happens as a result (transgression).
Where does iniquity fall into this?
Iniquity is taking another, bigger, step in the wrong direction. In the English Standard translation, it’s used 156 times.
A Biblical example comes from Micah 2:1:
Woe to those who devise iniquity,
Micah 2:1 NKJV
And work out [plan] evil on their beds!
At morning light they practice it,
Because it is in the power of their hand.
It’s perverse. It’s deliberately wicked.
Iniquity implies witchcraft or gross injustice. It’s manipulative–and can affect the lives of even the decendants of those who practice it.
Iniquity makes an innocent person recoil in horror, ‘How could anyone do such a terrible thing?”
“Twistedness” is part of iniquity’s definition.
(Biblical references worth considering about iniquity are found in Exodus 20: 4-6; Deuteronomy 5:8-10; Exodus 34:6-7; Acts 8:23.)
Which one is the worst?
While there’s no sliding scale among the three, iniquity involves a cold-hearted choice without the slightest desire for repentance. It also doesn’t care who gets hurt–including innocent relatives and descendents.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Does the difference matter?
Sin is sin in God’s eyes. He hates all of it.
(“Mortal” and “venial” sins are not found in Scripture, there’s no sin that’s better or worse than another.)
When we choose to sin, we step away from God–usually to focus on our own desires.
It causes a separation from God. Transgression puts distance between others.
Iniquity damages our souls in a grotesque way, as well as the people against whom we commit the iniquity.
Not to mention those who are forced to clean up the mess or live with the consequences.
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV
What can you do about sin, transgression, and iniquity in your life?
The Bible is clear. Sin is an offense against God.
As David said, “against you, you only, have I sinned, oh God.”
The Lord’s Prayer asks God to “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
He also provides good news, no matter the variety of sin:
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-9 ESV
Jesus died on the cross to save sinners–people who commit sin, transgression, and/or iniquity.
Does Jesus care what type of sin we commit?
No questions asked. He looks at our hearts and forgives–if we ask.
David, again:
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
Psalm 103: 2-4
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
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I really enjoyed your post today!
It’s been brewing a long time!
There’s sin, and there’s transgression,
and don’t forget iniquity!
If you’re hearing my confession,
dude, yeah, I have done all three,
and that is not just in the past,
gone, regretted, and all done.
I still really have a blast
in my thinking ’bout the fun
I could have with Miss July
(five, ten minutes, at the most),
and being the most lucky guy
to whom my mates would raise a toast
around their private wishing well
in which I spiraled down to hell.
Oh, Andrew. I thought I sent you a blessing yesterday! (Does Barb know?) LOL
Barb does know, and she’s so grateful. Things are hard. Metastases in both arms, both legs. Very hard to move around.
And a lesion on my tongue, and if you’ll pardon the expression, that SUCKS.
But I am blessed beyond measure, blessings I would never trade for restored health.
Once again, excellent analysis and differentiation of terms. Graphics are dramatic and make the message memorable (sorry, the alliteration was accidental).
LOL. It’s a subject I’ve never heard taught, but when I heard a lecture, I became fascinated. There’s never an end to learning about the things of God, is there? Best to you!
Michelle, thank you so much for this post! I found it helpful and hope to remember much of it–it is a subject that has “worried” me. Still, this is a big help! Keep up the good work, lady!!.