My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin (hamartano). And if anyone sins, (hamartano) we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins (hamartia); and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2
It is time to address a virtually universal mis-translation of the scriptures that has caused untold mischief in the church and in the lives of sincere believers. In the verses above we have the clearest example of the misuse of two Greek words, translating both as “sin” or “sins”, when common sense tells us that they cannot both mean the same thing, except in the vaguest and most general sense of wrongdoing. Hamartano (Strong’s Concordance G264) means “missing the mark”. It is wrongdoing, but of a lesser degree and with different results than the other word used for “sins”. Hamartia (Strong’s Concordance G266) is also wrongdoing, but of a much greater degree and with much more serious results. We have translated this word as “legal offenses.”
A person goes to a lawyer with the following complaint: “Every morning when I go out of my house to get in my car, my neighbor is waiting for me. Standing in his own driveway, he begins to curse me–he calls me every name in the book, plus a few extra. It’s getting where I dread going outside, because I know he’ll be there. Can I bring a lawsuit to get the court to assist me?” The lawyer listens patiently, then asks the following questions: Has he ever threatened physical harm against you or a family member? “No.” Have you ever felt in imminent danger of physical harm, based upon any threatening physical movements? “No, he is a safe distance from me.” Has he ever thrown anything at you? “No.” Has he ever followed you? “No.” Has he ever come into your yard? “No.” The lawyer then says, “Although the man has definitely missed the mark on being a good neighbor, he has committed no legal offense. There is nothing the court can do, since he has not broken, or even threatened to break, any laws.”
Although the neighbor’s actions amount to wrongdoing which can be recognized by anyone, those actions do not rise to the level of requiring redress by a judge, who is sitting in protection of society at large. The same is true with hamartano and hamartia. In our example, the neighbor’s actions did not violate the law, although clearly falling short of the ideal. Most importantly, the results of missing the mark are vastly different from those of legal offenses. Notice what our passage says. And if anyone misses the mark, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous… Christ intercedes directly with God for all those who miss the mark. John then goes on to state that Jesus Christ paid the death penalty for the legal offenses of the entire world! And He Himself is the propitiation (an atoning blood sacrifice) for our legal offenses, and not for ours only but for those (legal offenses) of the whole world.
Here is why the distinction is critically important: the advocacy of Jesus is ongoing, because all have missed the mark and fallen short of the glory of God (this is the correct translation of Romans 3:23), but the propitiation of Jesus is one sacrifice, for all legal offenses, for all people, for all time! So precious was the blood of our Redeemer! This is how the scriptures put it:
For Christ also died for sins (hamartia) once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. 1 Peter 3:18
For the death that He died, He died to sin (hamartia) once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so (in the same way) consider yourselves to be dead to sin (hamartia), but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:10-11
We sincerely apologize in advance if we offend anyone’s religion or creed, but the fact is that God was completely satisfied by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross. He has destroyed the works of the devil; He has satisfied and the fulfilled the law of God in toto. It is finished, as He said. You cannot add one thing to what has already been done for you. If you want to repent or do penance, please do so. If you want to be baptized, please, feel free. Do whatever the leaders of your particular denomination say to do, but know this: the war between God and man is over, and Christ has won it! With His own blood He has repurchased the earth and all it contains and all who dwell in it. It now belongs to Him, and as a result the legal offenses have been removed for all time. God has been conciliated (katallasso–Strong’s Concordance G2644) to men through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:18 This word means that hostilities between warring sides have been called off unilaterally by one side (God’s side); what remains is for the other side (man’s side) to also be re-conciliated (apokatallasso–Strong’s Concordance G609). We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us–we beg you, on behalf of Christ, be re-conciliated to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
What about the wrongdoing we have called “missing the mark”; is God ok with that? Not really.
We have missed the mark, and so have you, dear reader. (Please do not disagree with this, because John also said: If we say that we have not sinned [hamartano], we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.) John said he was writing his epistle so that we may NOT continue to miss the mark, but if we should do so, not to worry, not to get baptized again, not to re-dedicate or re-re-dedicate your commitment again, not to promise God or man you’ll never do that again, not to do whatever your religious creed or denomination says you must do, not to do anything that rises up out of your religious flesh–we have an Advocate with the Father! Praise you, Lord!
Our Advocate ever lives to intercede with the Father for us as a great high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:25 Here is the question each of us must ask and decide for ourselves: Will we trust Jesus’ intercession to be effective, or must we add to it with human effort by repenting, rededicating, being filled with the Spirit, speaking in tongues, promise-keeping, etc.? Please insert whatever formula has been given to you. As you do, please consider the truth in these scriptures:
God was in Christ reconciling (katallasso) the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation (katallasso). 2 Corinthians 5:19
(B)ut Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever (eis ta panteles–into the uttermost, which is not liimited to time) those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:24-25
Our missing the mark from time to time is a part of God’s plan for our lives–it shows our continued need for a Savior, it teaches us to trust Him, and it teaches us the nature of this life, if you have put your trust in Christ. If you have not, your unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God–He will use it to draw you to Himself. It is the kindness of God that leads to repentance. Romans 2:4
We are indebted to Bishop Carlton Pearson for his wonderful teaching on the difference between hamartia and hamartano, contained in his book, The Gospel of Inclusion, in Chapter 6 entitled “The Gospel of Salvation”. We recommend this excellent work to everyone.
Elsewhere on this site is a page containing a re-translation of 1 John containing, among other words, a proper distinction between hamartia and hamartano. The result makes 1 John sensible instead of the usually jumbled mass of contradictions that all but eliminates understanding. Enjoy!
Blessed are You, O Lord, our wonderful high priest! Thank you for interceding for us, for making payment for us, and for re-conciliating us to our Father, Who is above all, through all, and in all. Blessed be your holy name forever!