In 1 Peter, the verb hamartano is used once, and is rendered as “for your faults” (2:20). If we are chastized for our own faults, and not for the sake of Christ, then what spiritual benefit is found in that? In his use of the word for sin, Peter has a strong emphasis on the …
Speaking in Code
Hamartia in James is used six times. James begins by describing the genesis and destination of sin. Sin is born from desire (1:15), and death is born from sin (1:15). James tells us that if we show partiality — specifically with regard to rich and poor — we are guilty of sin (2:9). This is …
Sin and the Priests
The word hamartia occurs very frequently in the book of Hebrews (25 times), and 10 of these uses are found in chapter 10 alone. Not surprisingly, most of the references have to do with the sacrificial system, which was set up because of sin. The Son of God, when He came to earth, did so …
A Fearful Expectation of Judgment
The verb hamartano is used twice in Hebrews. The first time refers to the sinning of the Hebrews in the wilderness, with the early Christians being warned not to do the same thing. (Heb. 3:17). The second use tells us that if we sin willfully, by going back to the old sacrifices, after we have …
A Kind of Sinning
The verb hamartano is used only once in Titus. In this passage, Paul is instructing Titus to reject the heretic after two admonitions. Those who won’t listen to such admonitions are already subverted, sinning, and self-condemned (3:10-11). We see here that Paul does not place a sharp dichotomy between intellectual errors and moral failings. Heresy …
Always Learning, Never Getting It
The word hamartano is used once in 1 Timothy, when Paul warns that Timothy is not to permit an accusation except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who are found to have sinned need to be rebuked publicly so that the others might fear (1 Tim. 5:20). Hamartia comes up three times …
Epitome of Sin
The word hamartia is used twice in the letters to the Thessalonians. The first use has to do with a particular Jewish sin, and the second with a characteristic Gentile sin. “For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things …
The Last Side of this Square
Paul uses hamartia twice in the book of Colossians. In the first instance, he reminds the Colossians that they had redemption through the blood of Christ, a redemption that amounted to “forgiveness of sins” (1:14). The second use involves more metaphorical subtleties. He says in 2:11 that the Colossians had been circumcised with the circumcision …
Concluded Under Sin
In our continued study of hamartia, we find that Christ gave himself for our sins (Gal. 1:4). Paul later asks if Christ is a minister of sin just because we are found to be sinners in seeking to be justified by Christ (2:17). No, God’s purpose through the law (as a forerunner to the gospel) …
The Great Transaction
The two times the word hamartia appears in 2 Corinthians it is in that great passage talking about the great transaction that occurred on the cross. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (5:21). Christ knew no …