Hamartiology—What is it?

from the old testament

• Sin is breaking God’s law and rebelling against Him, as seen when Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6).
• Sin damages our relationships with God and others, with the warning that “the soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4) and seen in how Israel’s idolatry and injustice provoked God’s judgment (Isaiah 1:15–17; Amos 5:21–24).
• Sin originates in the heart as well as in outward actions, for “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9), and “your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God” (Isaiah 59:2).
• Sin requires atonement and God’s mercy, illustrated in the sacrificial system, where “the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls” (Leviticus 17:11).
• Sin can be deliberate (commission) or the result of neglect (omission), as “If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible.” (Leviticus 5:1 [NIV]).
• The Old and New Testaments confirm humanity’s sin nature. Everyone is born with a sin nature. David acknowledged this inborn sin, writing, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5).

from the new testament

• The Bible clearly states that all humans (except Jesus Christ, both human and divine) have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23).
• While some people sin more than others, "there is no one righteous, not even one" (Romans 3:10 [NIV]).
• An important area of study in hamartiology is the sin nature. This is the question of original sin and whether every person is born a sinner. The Bible teaches this is the case: "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned" (Romans 5:12).
• Hamartiology also helps us understand if all sin is equal before God. The short answer is that all sin is equal before God in terms of separating people from Him. Apart from the saving work of Christ, all sin leads to eternal condemnation (Romans 6:23). However, different sins and amounts of sin have more severe consequences in this lifetime than others. For example, murder results in much difficulty for everyone who knows the victim and the one who committed the crime, in addition to the punishment the criminal receives. Angry words, on the other hand, do not have such severe consequences. However, both murder and anger are sins before God. Jesus taught, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire" (Matthew 5:21–22).
• Another consideration regarding hamartiology is judgment for sin. All deserve judgment, yet Christ saves those who trust in Him for eternal life and forgiveness of sins (John 3:16). Believers who sin may be judged by the Lord, yet they do not lose the free gift of salvation (Romans 8:37–39; Ephesians 2:8–9). Those who do not trust in Christ receive eternal punishment in the afterlife (Matthew 25:46; Thessalonians 1:9).
• The solution to the human problem of sin is redemption through Christ (Romans 5:12–21; Romans 7:21–25; Colossians 2:13–15).
• In the end, God will remove the curse, and the existence of sin will end. Revelation 22:3 teaches, "No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him."

implications for today

Understanding hamartiology calls us to examine our own lives and recognize the ways sin impacts our thoughts, actions, and relationships. We can reflect on how our choices either align with God’s purposes or fall short, remembering that even small acts of rebellion or neglect can separate us from Him. We are all sinners in need of a Savior. When we recognize that we are sinners, that our sinfulness separates us from God, and that God Himself made a way to be forgiven of our sins we are called to respond with repentance and recognizing our need for a Savior. Jesus’ death and resurrection conquered sin once for all, and when we trust in Him, we can experience forgiveness and grace through Jesus, who restores our relationship with God and transforms our hearts. We no longer live for sin but live for the things of God. Recognizing that we still sin after our salvation, though we are not condemned, causes us to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions and strengthen us against sin. We are reminded that while sin remains a reality in this world, God’s redemptive plan through Christ offers hope, renewal, and eternal life. This understanding encourages us to pursue righteousness, extend grace to others, and actively participate in God’s mission of love and restoration in a world that desperately needs His truth.