A Simple Man’s Notes on Scripture

Part II: The Conduct of Humanity For there is no partiality with God, for whoever sinned without the law, without law also shall perish, and whoever sinned in law, through law will be judged. What is Sinning? This is the very first verse in which “sin,” that oft-used yet enigmatic term, appears in Romans. As this is the first time we see it on our journey here, let’s take a brief moment and expound upon the term itself, as this is essential knowledge for the rest of the letter. The word “sin” is hamartia in Greek. Its element is, literally, to “MISS.” There are various theological imports that have been embedded into this word over time. Take these ideas – that sin “is” human nature, or “is” lawlessness, or “is” transgression – for the moment, and flush them down your nearest toilet (stat!) Okay, okay, I know that sounds bad. It sounds rather un reasonable that we should be disregarding theories without proving them – you’re right. My bad. Don’t “flush them down your nearest toilet...