What is the difference between sin, trespass, transgression, and iniquity? I can’t answer it definitively because the four words are used interchangeably. After I searched through the Bible, I found that iniquity is sin (Hosea 12:8). People can be dead in both their trespasses and sins (Eph.2:1). God forgives iniquities, transgressions, trespasses, and sins (Ex. 34:7; Num. 31:16). God pardons iniquity and sin (Ex. 34:9; Job. 13:23). Both are trespasses (1 Chron. 10:13) and sins are against God (Num. 32:23; Psalm 51:4). Alright, so that is an introduction to the issue. But, I’ve still not answered the question – and I don’t think I can. The words are interchangeable. Please consider the following table. All verses are taken from the NASB.
| Iniquity | Sin | Transgression | Trespass | |
| Against the LORD | Lev. 26:40; Jer. 16:10; 33:8 | Jer. 14:7; 33:8 | 1 Kings 8:50; 2 Chron. 28:10; | Num. 31:16 |
| Dead in | N/A | Eph. 2:1 | Eph. 2:5; Col. 2:13 | Eph. 2:1 |
| Forgive | Ex. 34:7; Jer. 18:23 | Ex. 34:7 | Psalm 32:1; 65:3; Matt. 6:14; Col. 2:13 | Ex. 34:7; Eph. 1:7 |
| Pardon | Ex. 34:9; Jer. 33:8; Psalm 25:11 | Ex. 34:9; 1 Sam. 15:25; Isa. 27:9 | Ex. 23:21 | N/A |
| Can be taken away (forgiven) | 1 Chron. 21:8; Job 7:21 | John 1:29; Rom. 11:27; 1 John 3:5 | N/A | N/A |
| Can be numbered | Job 13:23 | Job 13:23 | Job 35:6 | 2 Cor. 5:19 |
Definitions from dictionaries
- Sin
- “Theologically, sin is the human condition of separation from God that arises from opposition to God’s purposes.” (McKim, Donald K.. The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, Second Edition: Revised and Expanded . Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition)
- “prop: missing the mark; hence: (a) guilt, sin, (b) a fault, failure (in an ethical sense), sinful deed.” (https://biblehub.com/greek/266.htm)
-
Trespass
- “To pass over, to go beyond one’s right in place or act; to injure another; to do that which annoys or inconveniences another; any violation of law, civil or moral; it may relate to a person, a community, or the state, or to offences against God.” (Orr, James, John L. Nuelsen, Edgar Y. Mullins, and Morris O. Evans, eds. The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. Vol. 1–5. Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company, 1915)
- “a falling away, lapse, slip, false step, trespass, sin.” (https://biblehub.com/greek/3900.htm)
- Transgression
- “An act of “going beyond” or violating a duty, command, or law.” (Bromiley, Geoffrey W., ed. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988)
- Iniquity
- “A biblical term for sin that encompasses elements of lawlessness, injustice, unrighteousness, and wickedness (Exod. 34:7; Isa. 13:11; Matt. 23:28).” (McKim, Donald K.. The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, Second Edition: Revised and Expanded . Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.)
