Hamartia

Romans 6:1-14

This word may not be part of your vocabulary (I certainly don’t use it in normal conversation), but the meaning is vital. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words tells us that the literal meaning is “missing the mark.” Dr. Vine goes on to say that this “etymological meaning is largely lost sight of in the New Testament.”

What’s more important to me is that we may have lost sight of it in the Church of the 21st century. Stop here and take a moment to read Romans 6:1-14.

I’m one of those “old fashioned” people who believe that the Father has set a mark for us to attain. It might well be said that the mark, although extremely high, is to walk in newness of life in every moment of every day of our life.

Attaining (note this word is not obtaining) that distinction requires a little concentration in a couple of areas. First, we have to know what “sin” is, and secondly, we have to overcome (achieve victory) that sin by the grace of God and the power of His Spirit residing within us.

There’s not a lot of rhetoric regarding the former in 21st century gatherings of the family. Because we don’t know when we have missed the mark, we experience difficulty in gaining victory. Sin is not something we like to hear about unless we are hearing about sin that does not challenge or affect us. Sermons condemning bank-robbery leave us feeling victorious, while sermons on corrupt communication leave us wishing we had slept-in.

I believe the Scriptures teach us that it is our mouth that is often “foul” or “rotten” (the meaning of corrupt). We want that to mean cursing and taking God’s name in vain. And of course, it does mean that. But it is much more than that. The Christian’s words must always be uplifting, encouraging, supportive, and positive even when corrective. It is always “missing the mark” when our words are negative, destructive, damaging, and sow discord in the family. Gossip, for example, is more than a “problem” in the life of the Church. It is hamartia! It grieves the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30). It is classified along with “fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, and idolatry“ (Ephesians 5:3-5).

No one ever said it better than God through the Apostle Paul. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)