Sin is an uncomfortable word. The Bible does not primarily mean individual missteps with it, but a separation: Man lives apart from God. Here you will find 22 Bible verses about sin – honest verses about the problem and hopeful verses about God's answer.
What sin is
The Bible describes sin without sugarcoating.
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For there is no difference here: they are all sinners and lack the glory they should have with God.
Romans 3:23
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For it is written: There is no one who is righteous, not even one.
Romans 3:10
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So if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8
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But your transgressions separate you from yourselves and from God, and your sins hide His face from you, so that you cannot hear.
Isaiah 59:2
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For death is the wages of sin; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our LORD.
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For whoever knows what is good and does not do it, is in sin.
James 4:17
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For the good that I want, I do not do; but the evil that I do not want, I do.
Romans 7:19
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So sin lies in wait at the door, and after you has desire; but you overcome it.
Genesis 4:7b
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For I acknowledge my wrongdoing, and my sin is always before me. Against you alone have I sinned and done wrong before you.
Psalm 51:5-6a
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Jesus answered them and said: Truly, truly I say to you: Whoever sins is a slave to sin.
John 8:34Slavery
God's answer to sin
Where sin is powerful, grace is more powerful.
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Therefore God exalts His love for us, that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 5:8CrucifixionGospel
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But where sin has become powerful, grace has become much more powerful.
Romans 5:20bGrace
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But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9GuiltConfession
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The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said: Behold, this is the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29Good FridaySacrifice
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For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might have in Him the righteousness that is before God.
2 Corinthians 5:21CrucifixionGospel
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For sin shall not reign over you, since you are no longer under the law, but under grace.
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So now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
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Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sin is covered!
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For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but who was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15TemptationSuffering
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Who carried our sins in His own body on the tree, so that we, having died to sin, might live to righteousness; through whose wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:24CrucifixionHealing
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So also you, hold yourselves to have died to sin and live to God in Christ Jesus, our LORD.
Romans 6:11
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Therefore, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses around us, let us lay aside sin, which so clings to us and makes us sluggish, and let us run with endurance in the fight that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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This goes well with it
Grace and Mercy – grace and mercy – are the Bible's answer to sin. These pieces carry them in everyday life.
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Mercy - T-ShirtThe Mercy shirt with back print – receive mercy and pass it on.€23
It is finished - Poster“It is finished” (John 19:30) – the word from the cross as a poster.€10
Grace - SocksGrace socks – grace for every step.€12
What is sin according to the Bible?
The Hebrew and Greek words for sin originally mean “to miss the mark” – like an arrow that goes wide. Sin is therefore not just a rule violation, but a life that misses the mark for which God created man. Paul states matter-of-factly: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory due to them” (Romans 3:23). And he honestly describes the inner conflict: “For the good that I want, I do not do; but the evil that I do not want, I do” (Romans 7:19).
Not the last word
The Bible speaks so openly about sin because it has a solution. “For death is the wages of sin; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our LORD” (Romans 6:23). On the cross, according to the New Testament, Jesus takes sin upon Himself. Whoever confesses it will be forgiven (1 John 1:9), and “so now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). You will find verses about confession at Bible verses on confession, about forgiveness at Bible verses on forgiveness, and about temptations at Bible verses on temptation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sin according to the Bible?
Sin literally means “to miss the mark”. The Bible understands it as a life that turns away from God – with thoughts, words, and deeds (Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2).
What does “Death is the wages of sin” mean?
Paul says in Romans 6:23 that sin separates from life. In the same verse he mentions the counter-gift: “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus”.
