What is a trespass in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

A trespass in the Bible is any sin that violates God’s boundaries or falls short of His perfect standard, separating us from Him. All of the original Hebrew words regarding a trespass carry the idea of sin, guiltiness, and wrongdoing. There are also two words in Greek in the New Testament that have been translated as "trespass." Both original Greek words carry the idea of error, missing the mark, or falling short. These same Greek and Hebrew words have also been translated into English as the word "sin," "iniquity," or "transgression." God first provided a sacrificial system with animals to atone for sin and restore fellowship for trespasses. Everyone sins and cannot reconcile themselves to God on their own; however, because of God’s love for us, He made a way for us to be forgiven of our trespasses. Jesus, fully God and fully man, died in our place and rose again, conquering sin and death. His death and resurrection fully atone for all trespasses, offering forgiveness and freedom from sin’s power as well as restoration for our relationship with God. Those who trust in His sacrifice receive the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live according to God’s ways. Ultimately, trespasses reveal our sin and need for God’s mercy. Through Christ, we are forgiven, transformed, and enabled to walk in righteousness.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Hebrew words translated as “trespass” convey guilt, wrongdoing, or iniquity (e.g., Leviticus 6:7; 16:30).
• The Israelites sinned by worshiping idols (Exodus 32:31), grumbling against God (Numbers 21:5–7), and following other gods (Judges 10:10; 1 Samuel 12:10).
• God provided a way to atone for trespasses through animal sacrifices, showing that sin required payment to restore fellowship (Leviticus 6:7; 16:30; see also Hebrews 9:22). Every person has trespassed God's lawful boundaries and now owes God a life. God so desired a relationship with His people that He first provided a substitutional sacrificial system to allow the people's sin to be paid for by the life of another, namely animals. But the sacrificial system was only a foreshadowing of God's ultimate plan.
• Passages like Psalm 14:3 and Psalm 51:5 emphasize that all have sinned and fallen short. Trespassing affects every person.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Romans 3:23 confirms that everyone sins and falls short of God’s standard.
• Sin, or trespass, brings guilt and death. Human efforts cannot reconcile us to God (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:22).
• Jesus’ death serves as the perfect atonement for all trespasses, once and for all, replacing the Old Testament animal sacrifices, which could never fully save someone from their sin (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:26).
• Hebrews 9:13–14 says, "For if the blood of goats and bulls… sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." God sent His son Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice to cover our sins. Unlike the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament, Jesus' sacrifice of Himself, since He is fully God and fully man and fully perfect, covers all sins for all times and need not be repeated. Every trespass we commit can be forgiven by relying on Jesus' shed blood on the cross.
• Believers are set free from the power of sin through Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live within God’s boundaries (Romans 8:2; Galatians 5:16).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Trespasses are any sin we commit by overstepping God's boundaries or any way in which we fall short of living up to God's standard of perfection. Because these trespasses have to be paid for with death, God graciously provided a sacrificial system first with animals (which covered the people’s sin and revealed their sinfulness) and then ultimately with the death of His own Son to extend forgiveness to those who recognize their sin and put their faith in Him.

Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection did more than offer forgiveness for trespasses. It also frees all who put their faith in Him from the power of sin. Romans 8:2 declares, "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." Romans 6:6 adds, "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin." Because Jesus' sacrifice covers our trespasses, the Holy Spirit can now dwell within the hearts of humankind and enable us to stay within the boundaries of God's law.

In Ezekiel 36:27 God promised, "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." Paul explains the Spirit's work to the Galatians in this way, "walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). God's Spirit within us can actually help us overcome our sinful inclinations and avoid future trespasses. We can now live for the things of God and not be bound by sin. What a merciful and gracious God we serve!

UNDERSTAND

• A trespass in the Bible is any sin—any act, thought, or feeling that violates God’s boundaries and character.
• Our trespasses separate us from God.
• For all who trust in Him, Jesus’ death and resurrection fully atone for all trespasses and restore our relationship with Him.

REFLECT

• How do you recognize the ways you have trespassed God’s boundaries in your thoughts, words, or actions?
• In what areas of your life do you struggle to recognize your sin and turn to God?
• How does knowing the Holy Spirit empowers you to live within God’s boundaries shape the way you approach your choices?

ENGAGE

• How does understanding trespassing as described in the Bible impact the way we understand God’s call to repent from it? How can we apply what the Bible says about sin and righteousness to our daily lives?
• How does knowing that Jesus died for all trespasses impact how we share our faith?
• What does it look like to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us live for Him and avoid trespassing God’s boundaries?