What is the difference between sin and iniquity?

In the Bible the two go together. Sin is missing the mark; iniquity stresses the twist — what has gone crooked — and the guilt it leaves. That is why Psalm 32 asks forgiveness for both.

What does “work iniquity” mean?

It means living with no regard for God's law, even under a religious appearance. Jesus uses the phrase in Matthew 7:23 for those who said “Lord, Lord” but did not do the Father's will.

Hebrew word · Strong H5771

What does iniquity mean?

Iniquity is sin seen as something crooked: the Hebrew word most often translated this way, avon, comes from a verb meaning to bend or twist. It is not only a mistake — it is the guilt sin leaves behind, weighing on the one who committed it. The King James translates avon as “iniquity” in more than 150 verses.

עָוֺן

ʻâvôn · transliteration · aw-vone' · pronunciation

In Strong’s lexicon: perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
In the King James: iniquity160
iniquities47
Appears in: 213 verses

See the full H5771 entry →Also in the lexicon: G458 ἀνομία

The meaning of iniquity in the Bible

The Psalms and the prophets use avon for guilt before God and for the forgiveness only he gives: “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid… and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5). Isaiah says of the suffering Servant that “the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6) — the iniquity that was ours, carried by another.

In the New Testament the word often behind iniquity is anomia (G458), life “without law”, disregarding what God asked. John defines sin this way: “sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). And Jesus uses it for those who call him Lord without doing the Father's will: “depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).

Where iniquity appears

Psalms 32:5

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

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Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

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1 John 3:4

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

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Matthew 7:23

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between sin and iniquity?: In the Bible the two go together. Sin is missing the mark; iniquity stresses the twist — what has gone crooked — and the guilt it leaves. That is why Psalm 32 asks forgiveness for both.
What does “work iniquity” mean?: It means living with no regard for God's law, even under a religious appearance. Jesus uses the phrase in Matthew 7:23 for those who said “Lord, Lord” but did not do the Father's will.

The meaning of iniquity in the Bible

Where iniquity appears

Psalms 32:5

Isaiah 53:6

1 John 3:4

Matthew 7:23

Frequently asked questions

More Bible words