The Bible defines sin as breaking God's law: "sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). It also includes the good we fail to do (James 4:17). Sin separates us from God: "your iniquities have separated between you and your God" (Isaiah 59:2). But Jesus "is the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 2:2), and God promises, "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Hebrews 10:17).
Sin is not a popular word, but most of us know what it feels like: the harsh word we cannot take back, the habit we keep returning to, the quiet sense that we are not who we should be. The Bible is honest about sin because God is serious about healing it. The main Hebrew and Greek words for sin carry the idea of missing the mark, like an archer whose arrow falls short (Judges 20:16 uses the same Hebrew verb for skilled slingers who did not miss). Sin is more than a list of bad actions. It is a power that deceives and enslaves, and a condition every person shares: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23). Yet the Bible never talks about sin without pointing to grace. These twelve King James verses explain what sin is, what it does to us, and how God deals with it completely through Jesus. If you are carrying guilt, see Bible verses about forgiveness, and for turning back to God, see Bible verses about repentance.
What sin is
1. 1 John 3:4
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
John gives one of the Bible's clearest definitions: sin is the transgression of the law. To transgress is to step over a line. God's law is not an arbitrary list of rules; it reflects His holy and loving character, summed up as loving God and loving your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). Sin, then, is not just breaking a rule. It is stepping out of the life of love God designed for us, and it always harms our relationship with Him and others.
2. James 4:17
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
We often think of sin only as doing wrong things. James widens the picture: to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Christians sometimes call these sins of omission: the apology never made, the help never offered, the prayer never prayed. This verse is humbling, because none of us does all the good we know. It reminds us how much we need grace, and it invites us to act on the good God puts in front of us today.
3. Genesis 4:7
"If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."
The first time the word sin appears in the King James Bible, God is warning Cain, who was angry and jealous of his brother Abel. God pictures sin as a wild animal crouching at the door: sin lieth at the door. Its desire is to master Cain, but God says, thou shalt rule over him. Cain did not listen, and anger led to murder (Genesis 4:8). Temptation is not yet sin, but it must be resisted early, at the door.
4. 1 John 1:10
"If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Denial is one of sin's oldest tricks. John is writing to believers, and he says that claiming to be sinless contradicts what God Himself says about us. Just before this comes one of the most hopeful verses in the Bible: "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). Honesty about sin opens the door to cleansing.
What sin does
5. Isaiah 59:2
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
The people of Isaiah's day wondered why God seemed distant. Isaiah answered that the problem was not God's power: His hand is not too short to save, nor His ear too heavy to hear (Isaiah 59:1). Instead, your iniquities have separated between you and your God. Sin builds a wall between us and the God who made us for friendship with Him. The good news is that God Himself came to tear down that wall. Isaiah promises a Redeemer just a few verses later (Isaiah 59:20).
6. John 8:34
"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."
Jesus told people who considered themselves free, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. Servant here means slave. Sin promises freedom but delivers bondage, as anyone who has struggled with an addiction, a temper or a secret habit knows. Willpower alone cannot break the chains. Jesus added the remedy two verses later: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36). Real freedom comes from Him.
7. Romans 7:15
"For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I."
Paul, the great apostle, describes an inner struggle every believer recognizes: what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. He wants to do right, yet finds himself doing wrong. The chapter builds to a cry, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:24), and then an answer: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 7:25). Struggle is not a sign you are hopeless. It is a sign the Spirit is at work.
8. Psalms 51:3
"For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me."
After his sin with Bathsheba and the death of her husband Uriah, David wrote, For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Guilt kept his failure constantly in view. Yet he did not run from God. He ran to Him, praying, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10). Honest acknowledgment is the first step out of guilt. God does not ask us to pretend; He asks us to come.
How God deals with sin
9. Isaiah 53:6
"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."
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. Sin, at its root, is choosing our own way over God's. And the verse includes everyone: all we, every one. But it ends with astonishing grace: the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Written about seven centuries before Jesus, Isaiah 53 describes the suffering Servant who carries our sins. Christians have always seen its fulfillment at the cross.
10. 1 John 2:2
"And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
Propitiation is a big word with a beautiful meaning: a sacrifice that satisfies justice and turns away wrath. John says Jesus is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. The verse before calls Jesus our advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1), like a defense lawyer who has already paid the penalty Himself. No sin is too big for His sacrifice, and no person is outside its reach.
11. 2 Samuel 12:13
"And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die."
The prophet Nathan told King David a story about a rich man who stole a poor man's only lamb. When David burned with anger, Nathan said, "Thou art the man." (2 Samuel 12:7). David's reply was simple: I have sinned against the LORD. Nathan answered at once, The LORD also hath put away thy sin. David still faced painful consequences, but forgiveness came the moment he confessed. God is quicker to forgive than we are to ask.
12. Hebrews 10:17
"And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."
Quoting the new covenant promise of Jeremiah 31:34, God says, And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. God knows everything, so this does not mean He forgets the way we do. It means He chooses never to hold our forgiven sins against us again. As Psalm 103:12 says, He removes them As far as the east is from the west. If God no longer brings up your forgiven sin, you do not need to keep punishing yourself for it.
A short prayer
Holy God, I confess that I have sinned, in what I have done and in the good I have left undone. I have gone my own way like a wandering sheep. Thank You that Jesus carried my sin on the cross and is my advocate with You. Forgive me, cleanse me and set me free from the habits that hold me. Help me to rule over sin when it crouches at my door. Thank You that You remember my forgiven sins no more. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Bring your confession to God with the 30-Day Prayer Journal · Pray forgive us our debts with our free Lord's Prayer printable · Study grace verse by verse with the SOAP Bible Study Journal
Frequently asked questions
What is the definition of sin in the Bible?
The Bible says "sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4), and also "to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17). The main Hebrew and Greek words mean missing the mark. Sin includes wrong actions, wrong attitudes and failing to love God and neighbor as we should. See Bible verses about temptation.
Does sin separate us from God?
Yes. Isaiah says "your iniquities have separated between you and your God" (Isaiah 59:2), and Paul says "the wages of sin is death;" (Romans 6:23). But the same verse continues: "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23). Through Jesus the separation is overcome: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
Are all sins equal in God's eyes?
Any sin is enough to separate us from a holy God, which is why everyone needs a Savior (Romans 3:23). But the Bible also shows that some sins do greater harm to others and carry heavier consequences. The good news is that no sin is beyond forgiveness for those who come to Christ: "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7). See Bible verses about grace.
How can I be forgiven of my sins?
Turn to God, admit your sin honestly and trust Jesus, who died for you. The promise is clear: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9). Proverbs adds, "whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13). You do not have to earn forgiveness; you receive it. See Bible verses about salvation.
If guilt or shame feels crushing, please talk to a pastor, a trusted friend or a counselor. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, in the US call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 in an emergency.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Repentance · Forgiveness · Grace · Temptation · Salvation · Shame · Come as you are · Redemption
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