The Bible defines sin in more than one way in the original Greek. It doesn’t treat all sin as equal but reveals varying degrees of offense—each with its own weight, impact, and consequence. Understanding these differences is key to growing in spiritual maturity and living in alignment with God’s truth.

The most basic level of sin is simply missing the mark, ἁμαρτία. This reflects the human condition: no one is perfect, and all fall short of God’s standard. As Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” To enter Heaven, one must be made holy and free from sin. Since no one is flawless, this transformation is only possible through the grace and redemption offered by Jesus Christ. Even something as seemingly small as a white lie still counts as sin—it misses the mark of God’s perfection.

The second level is ἀδικία or unrighteousness—the failure to do what is just or right in relation to others. This includes acts of injustice, oppression, and mistreatment. It might involve denying someone fair compensation, refusing to respond to someone in need as a form of control, or manipulating resources to benefit one group at another’s expense. In Matthew 20:12–13, Jesus challenges unfair treatment and highlights the importance of justice and equity.

The third level is trespassing—a deliberate stepping over a known line, Paraptōma. This kind of sin (Ephesians 2:1, and you were dead in your trespasses and sin) is often emotionally driven and followed by remorse. For instance, watching inappropriate content in a moment of weakness or engaging in premarital sex despite knowing God’s standard. Though intentional, these actions are typically not done out of malice but out of brokenness, and they are often followed by repentance.

The fourth level is transgression—a willful violation of God’s commands. This is not a mistake or moment of weakness, but a conscious decision to do what one knows is wrong, παράβασις. Examples include committing adultery, lying to gain financial or social advantage, or spreading gossip to damage another’s reputation. As Isaiah 53 says, “He was pierced for our transgressions,” indicating the seriousness of such deliberate disobedience.

The fifth and highest level is iniquity—a deep and ongoing moral corruption, ἀνομία. This is not about a single act, but a hardened state of the heart. It represents a life bent toward rebellion against God’s law. Think of systemic exploitation, abuse of power, or embracing evil as a lifestyle. Isaiah 53 continues, “He was crushed for our iniquities,” and Psalm 66:18 warns, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Iniquity reflects a complete turning away from God.

Because we are made in God’s image, even our legal systems reflect the biblical principle that not all offenses are equal. Just as society distinguishes between misdemeanors and felonies, the Bible distinguishes between a misstep and a state of deep wickedness. It is neither logical nor scriptural to say that a white lie and murder are the same kind of sin. One is error; the other is evil.

As Hosea 4:6 declares, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Understanding the biblical distinctions between types of sin helps us better understand God’s justice, appreciate His mercy, and walk in wisdom and grace.