If you ask anyone who is somewhat familiar with the Bible and ask him what sin is, they would most likely answer that “sin is the transgression of the law.” Many would be familiar with this Bible verse as the definition of sin. That’s from the 1611 English translation of 1 John 3:4 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.

For over 20 years, I took it for granted and I believed that this verse in 1 John 3:4 is indeed saying that: “Sin is the transgression of the law.” But sometime in 1995, I learned from a church publication more fully what the apostle John really meant based on the original Greek word used and based on the surrounding context of the passage. It was an eye-opener for me. May I share this here with you too.

Only One Word in Greek!

Did you know that the five-word phrase, “the transgression of the law” found in 1 John 3:4 of the KJV is actually only one word in the Greek language? That Greek word is anomia. It is translated in many modern Bibles as “lawlessness” or “wickedness.”

The New King James Version, New International Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, The NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised Standard Version and the English Young’s Literal Translation all translate the Greek word anomia as “lawlessness.” The New Jerusalem Bible translates it as “wickedness” but then again, it’s just one word, not 5 words.¹

We can see that many modern Bible versions and translations render this one Greek word anomia as lawlessness.

What’s the Point?

So what’s the fuss all about? Well, it is this: while I can agree that sin indeed is “the transgression the law,” but that was not the point of John in his letter. The apostle John was not just merely giving a definition of what sin is. He was not just saying that sin is breaking the law. He already said that in the first half of 1 John 3:4a (KJV): “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law.” The last half (1 John 3:4b) is saying more than that! The surrounding context as well as the Greek word anomia will hopefully help us to understand John’s point much better.

The Practice of Sinning

The English Standard Version helps us to understand John’s point in 1 John 3:4: “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” The New American Standard Version and the NET Bible both say the same thing. Here we see that it is the habit or the practice of sinning that is at issue here.

What John really meant to say was that sin is a lifestyle, a way of life, a habit, that is opposed to God’s law, that is opposed to God’s will. He was not talking merely about the breaking of just one point of the law. In this verse, John was not merely trying to define what sin is. He was talking about the practice of sinning. John was talking about a wrong way of life—the bad habit of sinning, lawlessness. He said that no one who abides in Christ keep on sinning (ESV, 1 John 3:6). No one who is born of God makes a practice of sinning (ESV, 1 John 3:9).

A Life Living in Sin—Lawlessness

In context then, beginning with 1 John 3:1, the apostle John was reminding the early Christians just how great God’s love for them was that they should be called children of God. That’s what they were–the truth of who they were in Jesus Christ. As children of God, John reminded them that when Christ will appear again they shall be like him and they shall see Christ as He is (1 John 3:2)! What a great future ahead of them! They had hope of a wonderful future in Christ and therefore John urged them to purify themselves just as God is pure (1 John 3:3)!

Indicative: We are God’s Children!

In view of their special status as children of God in Christ, John was explaining to these Christians that they ought not to live a life living in sin—lawlessness or wickedness. They should no longer live a life going against God’s will and making a practice of sinning as a lifestyle or habit. That was the point of John. He was not just merely defining or stating a fact that “sin is the transgression of the law.” He told them to practice righteousness and love one another (1 John 3:1-10). This is applicable to us Christians as well today.

Imperative: Purify Ourselves!

For as long as we are alive, we will always be prone to sinning. We will always sin. But thanks be to God because he will always forgive us. God understands. Of course, this is not a license to make sinning a way of life. The apostle John reminded the early Christians not to make sinning a practice or habit, a way of life. He reminded them to purify themselves! Again, this applies to us as well. Let’s not make a practice of living in sin! Let us not turn God’s grace into a license to live a life of sinning! Let’s purify ourselves! With God’s help of course, he will make us pure! Let’s continue hoping in Christ!

“Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:3-4).

¹ While the King James Version is categorized as a word-for-word literal translation of the Bible, it may not always be the case all of the time. This Greek word anomia in 1 John 3:4 is an example.

Featured Photo Above: At White Island in Camiguin, Philippines. Youth campers about to embark on a new way of life in Christ by being baptized in 2005.