Status: Core study Faith & Logic Published August 28, 2026 Updated September 22, 2026
Missing the mark. Falling short.
The Greek in Romans is hamartia (hamartia) — ἁμαρτία. “All have sinned” is not “all made a small mistake.” It is a life aimed wrong — short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Under that wide word sit older Hebrew terms. They are kin. They are not twins.
| Hebrew | Usual English | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| chet (chet) — חֵטְא | sin | miss, fail |
| avon (avon) — עָוֹן | iniquity | bent, guilt that lasts |
| pesha (pesha) — פֶּשַׁע | transgression | revolt, break of covenant |
First hearers already knew that map. Paul does not invent a new disease. He names the one Israel’s Scriptures already named — and then names the gift in Yeshua.
What it is not: a personality flaw. A comparison with worse people. A feeling you wait to feel. Sin is how a person stands before God before the turn.
The gift is still a gift. Sin is why a hearer needs one.
See also: Iniquity. Transgression. Repent.