Sin & Separation

What is sin? Is it possible to be sinless? What if I am a good person? These questions and more are answered within scripture. They have been made available here and in the printable interactive PDF. Though not exhaustive, these scriptures will greatly increase one's understanding of sin.  

Sin & Separation.pdf

Download PDF • 722KB

What Sin Is

1 John 3:4 KJV

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

Definition of sin

(in 1 John 3:4 & James 4:17)

• Strong's Greek 266 - ἁμαρτία hamartia; from 264; a sin (properly abstract)

• Strong's Greek 264 -ἁμαρτάνω hamartanō; perhaps from 1 (as a negative particle) and the base of 3313; (properly to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin.

James 4:17 KJV

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." 

Definition of transgression

(in 1 John 3:4)

• Strong's Greek 458 - ἀνομία anǒmia; from 459; ilegality, i.e. violation of law or (generally) wickedness

• Strong's Greek 459 - ἄνομος anǒmǒs; from 1 (as a negative particle) and 3551; lawless, i.e. (negatively) not subject to (the Jewish) law; by implication a Gentile, or (positively) wicked

Who Commits Sin

All have sinned (Romans 3:9, 23, 5:12, 11:32 1 Kings 8:46, 2 Chronicles 6:36)

“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;” Romans 3:9 KJV

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23 KJV

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12 KJV

“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all." Romans 11:32 KJV

"If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;" 1 Kings 8:46 KJV

“If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;" 2 Chronicles 6:36 KJV

All are born with sin nature (Job 14:1, 15:14, Isiah 48:8, Romans 7:18) 

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble." Job 14:1 KJV

“What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that

he should be righteous? Job 15:14 KJV

"Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb." Isaiah 48:8 KJV

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." Romans 7:18 KJV

No one is good, righteous, or just (Psalm 14:1,3, 53:1,3, Romans 3:10, Job 9:2-3, Ecclesiastes 7:20)

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." Psalm 14:1 KJV

"They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Psalm 14:3 KJV

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good." Psalm 53:1 KJV

"Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Psalm 53:3 KJV

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10 KJV

“2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? 3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand." Job 9:2–3 KJV

“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV

All are unclean even our best (Job 15:15-16, 25:4-6, Psalm 39:5, Isiah 64:6)

"15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. 16 How much more abominable and filthy   is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?" Job 15:15-16 KJV

“4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? 5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. 6 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?" Job 25:4–6 KJV

“Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing

before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah."

Psalm 39:5 KJV

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” Isaiah 64:6 KJV

Can't claim to be righteous (Psalm 130:3, James 2:10)

 “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?"

Psalm 130:3 KJV

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10 KJV

Can't claim to be sinless (Jeremiah 2:35, 1 John 1:8, 10)

“Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned." Jeremiah 2:35 KJV

“8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ... 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8, 10 KJV

All seek their own (Isaiah 53:6, Philippians 2:21)

 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6 KJV

“For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's." Philippians 2:21 KJV

All are liars (Psalms 58:3, 116:11)

“The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies." Psalm 58:3 KJV

“I said in my haste, All men are liars.” Psalm 116:11 KJV

All need to repent (Isaiah 53:6)

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Isaiah 53:6 KJV

All need salvation (Proverbs 20:9, Romans 5:8, 1 John 2:2, Luke 1:46-47)

“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?"

Proverbs 20:9 KJV

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 KJV

“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the

sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2 KJV

(This includes Mary, Mother of Jesus)

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in

God my Saviour." Luke 1:46-47 KJV

Who Commits Sin

All have many sins (Job 22:5, Psalms 38:4, 40:12, Psalm 85:2, James 2:10, 1 John 1:9)

“Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?" Job 22:5 KJV

"For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me." Psalm 38:4 KJV

“For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.” Psalm 40:12 KJV

"Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah." Psalm 85:2 KJV

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10 KJV

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 KJV

All have unknown sins (Job 13:23, Psalm 19:12)

“How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.” Job 58:23 KJV

“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.”

Psalm 19:12 KJV

Not less of a sinner and not exalted above others (Exodus 21:26, Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11, Luke 18:12-14, Romans 12:3, 1 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Peter 5:6)

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.” Ezekiel 21:26 KJV

“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:12 KJV

“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 14:11 KJV

"11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:11-14 KJV

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 KJV

“And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos

for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.”

1 Corinthians 4:6 KJV

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” 1 Peter 5:6 KJV

Unknown & Inward Sins

Sinning ignorantly is sin (Leviticus 4:13-14, 22-23, 27, 5:15,18, Numbers 15:24-26, 27-29)

“13 And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty; 14 When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.” Leviticus 4:13-14 KJV

“22 When a ruler hath sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of

the commandments of the LORD his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty; 23 Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish:” Leviticus 4:22-23 KJV

“And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty;” Leviticus 4:7 KJV

"15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering: ... 18 And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him.” Leviticus 5:15, 18 KJV

“24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all  the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering. 25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD,  and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance: 26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance." Numbers 15:24-26 KJV

"27And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. 28 And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him. 29 Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.” Numbers 15:27-29 KJV

Sinning in the heart & mind (1 Samuel 15:23, Psalm 11:5, Proverbs 8:13, Ezekiel 16:49, Matthew 5:28, 15:7-8, 11, 16-20, 2 Timothy 3:2-4, 1 John 3:15)

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:23 KJV

“The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.” Psalm 11:5 KJV

“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” Proverbs 8:13 KJV

“Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49 KJV

“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:28 KJV

“7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:7-8 KJV

“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” Matthew 15:11 KJV

"16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” Matthew 15:16-20 KJV

“20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:20-23 KJV

“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 KJV

“2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” 2 Timothy 3:2-4 KJV

“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” I John 3:15 KJV

Transparent Sins & Servitude

God sees all sins (1 Chronicles 28:9, Job13:23, 24:23, 42:2, Psalms 33:13, 69:5, Proverbs 15:3 Jeremiah 16:17, 17:10, Luke 16:15)

“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with

a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9 KJV

“How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.” Job 13:23 KJV

“Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways.” Job 24:23 KJV

“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” Job 42:2 KJV

“The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.” Psalm 33:13 KJV

“O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.”

Psalm 69:5 KJV

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

Proverbs 15:3 KJV

“For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.” Jeremiah 16:17 KJV

“I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10 KJV

“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15 KJV

Cannot serve both good & evil (Matthew 6:24, Luke16:13, John 8:38)

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24 KJV

“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:13 KJV

“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:38 KJV

The Only Good & Sinless

Only God is good (Matthew 19:17, Mark 10:18, Luke18:19)

“And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17 KJV

“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” Mark 10:18 KJV

“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.” Luke 18:19 KJV

Jesus Christ was sinless (Isaiah 53:9, Matthew 27:23-24, Luke 1:35, John 8:29, 19:4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 1:19, 2:22, 1 John 3:5)

"And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” Isaiah 53:9 KJV

“23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.” Matthew 27:23-24 KJV

“And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35 KJV

“And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” John 8:29 KJV

“Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.” John 19:4 KJV

“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.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 KJV

“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” 1 Peter 1:19 KJV

“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” 1 Peter 2:22 KJV

“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”

1 John 3:5 KJV

Consequences of Sin

Separation from God: Eternal death (Isaiah 59:2, Habakkuk 1:13, Ezekiel 18:4, Matthew 5:22, 25:44-46, Mark 9:43-44, 45-46, 47-48, ​John 8:21, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, 2, Peter 2:4, 5, 6-7, Revelation 20:14, 21:8)

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2 KJV

“Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?” Habakkuk 1:13 KJV

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4 KJV

“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:22 KJV

“44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:44-46 KJV

"43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Mark 9:43-44 KJV

"45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:45-46 KJV

"47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." Mark 9:47-48 KJV

“Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.” John 8:1 KJV

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 KJV

"9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV

“4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:” 2 Peter 2:4-7 KJV

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14 KJV

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Revelation 21:8 KJV