What is a ‘Sinner’? Is it just a pejorative term? A put down to induce guilt and fear? It certainly can be. How do the scriptures refer to ‘Sinners’? In varied ways. Does the term refer to anyone who is not sinless and perfect? No. Are God’s people ‘Sinners’? No – Sinners make a practice of sinning. They have no good fruit or works giving evidence they know God and are right with him. Can ‘Sinners’ be saved? Yes. Jesus came to save Sinners.

The Greek ἁμαρτωλός (hamartōlos), is rendered in English as ‘sinner’. In some contexts, with the implication of being social outcasts of certain pious Jewish sects. (Swanson, J., 1997. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament).

Historian John Dickson writes;

“Sinners” were those in Jewish society who lived outside the laws of the Old Testament as interpreted by the rabbis. They were not all prostitutes and thieves—that would be a caricature. They could just as easily be wealthy businessmen who neglected going to synagogue and/or did business with the occupying Romans (tax collectors, for instance). They were, if you like, the “unreligious” in a strictly religious society. Social interaction with sinners (and with Gentiles) was religiously prohibited in Jesus’ day.” (Loc 630 of 3524, The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission)

“The term tends to be used in particular of those regarded as outside God’s covenant of grace, whose sins are therefore not forgiven.” (Manser, M.H., 2009. Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies, London: Martin Manser.)

• Sinners are a group of people distinguished from the righteous (Lk 15.1-7; Mt 9.13; Mk 2.17; Lk 5.32; 15.10; 1 Pet 4.18; Gal 2.15,17)
• Jesus had compassion on Sinners (Mt 9.10; 11.19; Mk 2.16; Lk 15.1-2; 19.7)
• He compared his audiences with Sinners (Lk 6.32-34)
• Some are worse sinners than others (Lk 13.2)
• Jesus was persecuted and crucified by sinners (Heb 12.3; Jn 9.16,24-25,30-31; Mt 26.45; Mk 14.41)
• Jesus is not a Sinner (Heb 4.15; 7.26; 2 Cor 5.21)
• Sinners are under condemnation and a death sentence (Rom 3.7; Jude 14-16)
• Law of Moses was given to Sinners (1 Tim 1.9)
• Sinners humble themselves before God (Lk 18.13; 5.8-9)
• Sinners can be given mercy, justified and saved (Rom 5.8,19; 1 Tim 1.15; Jas 4.8; 5.20)

From the above definitions you can see first century Israel was a religious society. Sinners were typically social outcasts. Looked down upon by the religious because they made no attempt to abide by the law of Moses God commanded the Jews. Sins of action and omission are in view. Gentiles were considered sinners. Practicing Jews were not.

Let’s see how the New Testament uses the noun.

Sinners are a group of people distinguished from the righteous (Lk 15.1-7; Mt 9.13; Mk 2.17; Lk 5.32; 15.10; 1 Pet 4.18; Gal 2.15,17)

Jesus makes the distinction between sinners and the righteous a number of times.

15 Now the tax collectors and SINNERS were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives SINNERS and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Lk 15.1-7)

Sinners have wandered away and need to repent. The righteous have remained and do not need to repent.

Being righteous is more about the presence of righteousness in a persons life, rather than the absence of sin. Sinners are identified by the absence of righteousness and the continuing presence of sin.

We will consider Jesus’ ministry soon, but for now we can see the distinction Jesus makes. Sinners are estranged from their shepherd – the LORD, and need to turn back to him. Sin is in view. They need to stop sinning.

Jesus also says;

Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but SINNERS.” (Mt 9:13)

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but SINNERS.” (Mk 2:17)

I have not come to call the righteous but SINNERS to repentance.” (Lk 5:32)

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one SINNER who repents.” (Lk 15:10)

Jesus is not the only one who makes the distinction between sinners and the righteous. So do the apostles. Peter says;

And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the SINNER?” (1 Pet 4:18)

Paul says;

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile SINNERS; (Gal 2:15)

Paul implies the common distinction religious Jews made between themselves (they thought they were the righteous, who kept the law) with the nations (Gentiles) who did not.

See my post on this passage for more detail.

In the context of Galatians he is arguing Gentile believers are not obligated to observe the law of Moses.

But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be SINNERS, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! (Gal 2:17)

He presents the hypothetical they are wrong in doing so. If they were wrong they would be sinners as well.

Are Christians ‘Sinners’?

While in several instances believers humble themselves and call themselves sinners (e.g. Lk 18.13; 1 Tim 1.15-16), by and large the apostles did not refer to their audiences as sinners (Jas 4.8 being the possible exception).

The article referred to below will discuss the topic in greater detail.

“The question of the true identity of the Christian has been the topic of discussion for some time. Although not directly framed as a question of identity, the issues of self-love, self-esteem, and self-worth all relate in some way to the question, “Who am I?” This question has been posed more sharply in the alternatives, “Am I as a Christian basically a sinner who is forgiven, or a saint who sins?” (link)

(See also here, here and here).

Jesus had compassion on Sinners (Mt 9.10; 11.19; Mk 2.16; Lk 15.1-2; 19.7)

The strange and glorious thing is. Sinners may be the rejects of the religious society. But Jesus had a compassionate heart for them. As we have just seen, Jesus says his mission was to call sinners to repentance. Look who he spent time with;

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and SINNERS came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. (Mt 9:10; cf. Mk 2.15)

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and SINNERS!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” (Mt 11:19; Lk 7.34)

And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with SINNERS and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and SINNERS?” (Mk 2:16; Mt 9.11; Lk 5.30)

Now the tax collectors and SINNERS were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives SINNERS and eats with them.” (Lk 15:1-2)

And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a SINNER.” (Lk 19:7)

You can see from the reaction of the Pharisees that his actions were frowned upon. Sinners were unclean. Sinners ruins the morals of those who associated with them (e.g. 1 Cor 15.33-34). But Jesus is incorruptible, compassionate and forgiving. Some sinners he had a profound affect on.

And behold, a woman of the city, who was a SINNER, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a SINNER.” (Lk 7:37-39)

The Pharisee thought the woman was a sinner. But she knew the forgiveness only Jesus can give. Her actions show the depth of her appreciation and gratitude.

He compared his audiences with Sinners (Lk 6.32-34)

On occasion Jesus contrasted his audience with sinners. He instructed his audience to go the extra mile. To be different from sinners and do more than what was the norm and expected.

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even SINNERS love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even SINNERS do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even SINNERS lend to SINNERS, to get back the same amount. (Lk 6:32-34)

Some are worse sinners than others (Lk 13.2)

Like the righteous, some sinners were better or worse than others.

And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse SINNERS than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? (Lk 13:2)

Jesus was persecuted and crucified by sinners (Heb 12.3; Jn 9.16,24-25,30-31; Mt 26.45; Mk 14.41)

Jesus met opposition all through the gospel.

Consider him who endured from SINNERS such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Heb 12:3)

Jesus was called a sinner by those who valued the sabbath more than a man being healed of blindness;

Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a SINNER do such signs?” And there was a division among them. (Jn 9:16)

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” (Jn 9:24-25)

Soon afterward the man defends Jesus because someone of God could do such things as Jesus did;

30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. (Jn 9:30-31)

Their opposition against Jesus climaxed in his capture and eventual crucifixion.

Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of SINNERS. (Mt 26:45)

And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of SINNERS. (Mk 14:41)

Jesus is not a Sinner (Heb 4.15; 7.26; 2 Cor 5.21)

Jesus was without sin.

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Heb 4.15)

He was without sin and therefore separated from sinners.

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from SINNERS, and exalted above the heavens. (Heb 7:26)

And therefore able to be a sin offering, unblemished and pure;

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we [apostles] might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5.21)

Sinners are under condemnation and a death sentence (Rom 3.7; Jude 14-16)

The imaginary Jewish interlocutor in Romans understands to be a sinner means to fall under the LORD’s condemnation.

But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a SINNER? (Rom 3:7) (See my series on the imaginary Jew)

As does Jude;

14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly SINNERS have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. (Jude 14-16)

Being a sinner doesn’t mean you are saved and have a right relationship with God. It means you are in rebellion against God, he is angry at you and will punish you.

Law of Moses was given to Sinners (1 Tim 1.9)

Paul says the law was given to the people of Israel because they were disobedient.

9 Understanding this, that the law [of Moses] is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and SINNERS, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, (1 Tim 1:9)

The early church frequently recognised this fact several times actually. They said some of them did not need the law because they had God’s law written on their hearts.

Sinners humble themselves before God (Lk 18.13; 5.8-9)

In the gospel people humble themselves by confessing they are sinners before the Lord.

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a SINNER!’ (Lk 18:13)

8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a SINFUL man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, (Lk 5.8-9; cf. Isa 6.5)

Sinners can be given mercy, justified and saved (Rom 5.8,19; 1 Tim 1.15; Jas 4.8; 5.20)

For this reason the LORD has compassion on them and forgives them. Jesus died for sinners.

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still SINNERS, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8) (see my post on this passage)

19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made SINNERS, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. (Rom 5:19)

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save SINNERS, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Tim 1:15) (See my post on this passage)

James calls out to those who have wandered away from God.

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you SINNERS, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (Jas 4:8)

He encourages others to reach out to them.

20 let him know that whoever brings back a SINNER from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (Jas 5:20)

When sinners (C1) hear the gospel, repent of their sins (Acts 26.20) and believe Jesus is the risen Christ (Jn 20.31), and accept him as their LORD (Rom 10.9-10). God forgives their sin (Eph 1.7), makes them righteous in his sight (Rom 5.1,8-9) (C3) and saves them from the kingdom of the devil (Eph 2.1-5). They are no longer sinners. They are children of God (1 Jn 3.10), Jesus has taken away their sins (1 Jn 3.5).

The grace that reaches out to sinners does not exclude the righteous (Lk 15.3-32).

Summary

Sinners are a group of people distinguished from the righteous. They were those in Jewish society who lived outside the laws of the Old Testament as interpreted by the rabbis. The expression regularly applies to those outside God’s covenant. They have no evidence of knowing God. Because of their sin Sinners are under condemnation and a death sentence.

But Jesus had compassion on Sinners. He, himself is not a sinner. Although, His preaching and ministry led him to be persecuted and crucified by sinners.

Law of Moses was given to sinners, which doesn’t say much for the people of Israel. But sinners can humble themselves before God. If they do that, sinners will be given mercy, justified and saved.

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