Words are symbols that communicate specific ideas. When we hear a word it means something to us. If our definition is wrong, or if we use the same word in a culture to whom it means something different, we will clearly fail to communicate.

A funny life example. While living in France, I was asked in polite company during an intergenerational meal, if I enjoyed French food. My answer was “Very much, I especially appreciate that the French don’t use “preservatifs” in their cooking”. This was followed by a round of giggles and chuckles. You see, to the French in France, this means “condom”. My definition was different than theirs and the result, in hindsight, quite hilarious.

I have always been told that the New Testament definition of sin is “missing the mark” and because the teachers who taught me this seemed to be so engaged in looking things up and making sure the language was right, it never occurred to me to look it up, until now. Why?

Romans 3:23

In Context in the Amplified Bible “22This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, 23since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, 24and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] [c]grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, 25whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] [d]sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion]. 26It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].”

It stood out to be that all have sinned (past tense) AND (something more or different) presently and ongoingly fall short of the glory of God. Yahweh does not repeat Himself in vain so surely these must mean different things. I looked it up and it turns out these are different definitions.

from https://biblehub.com/greek/264.htm

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 264 hamartánō (from 1 /A “not” and 3313 /méros, “a part, share”) – properly, having no share in; to sin, which always brings forfeiture – i.e. eternal loss due to missing God’s mark. Like 266 /hamartía, 264 (hamartánō) is regularly used in ancient times of an archer missing the target (Homer, Aesch., etc). Every decision (action) done apart from faith (4102 /pístis) is sin (Ro 14:23; cf. Heb 11:6). See 266 (hamartia).

from https://biblehub.com/greek/5302.htm

HELPS Word-studies

5302 hysteréō (from 5306 /hýsteros, “last”) – properly, at “the end,” i.e. coming behind (to “be posterior, late”); (figuratively) coming behind and therefore left out; left wanting (falling short).

5302 /hysteréō (“failing to fulfill a goal”) means to be in lack and hence, unable to meet the need at hand because depleted (“all run out“). This state of lack (insufficiency, privation) naturally results when a person misses out on what is vital.

It turns out this is equally true of the Hebrew Words for sin, transgression and iniquity. The definition includes the “crime” and the deserved “penalty” for the crime.

If I say I am a sinner, I am saying I am one who has forfeited my part in eternal glory. From now on I will be plain and delighted to confess that I truly am sinless (one who has not forfeited my part in eternal glory to missing the mark) but that I am a “faller short of” God’s perfection and so grateful that Yahshua delivered me from the forfeit part. What a relief to know that we can be deficient and lacking and yet not sin. I must balance this by sharing that the Bible makes no room for ongoing and wilfull defiance and breaking of His Word and says indeed there is no covering or redemption for willful and repetitive sin.

Hebrews 10:26 NLT
“Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins.”

https://biblehub.com/greek/5302.htm

In an interesting note, I now have over 800 verses between the Old and New Testaments to reread inlight of this correction to my understanding. I love it when Yahweh blesses me in correcting me.