Sin vs. Iniquity / Trespass
"Sin" is the general term for missing God's standard (literally, 'missing the mark'); "trespass" describes a specific wrongful act or overstepping a boundary; "iniquity" describes deep-seated moral perversity or guilt, often the crooked condition behind repeated sin.
Point by Point
Sin
Iniquity / Trespass
Core meaning
General - 'missing the mark' of God's standard, the broadest category.
Trespass: a specific act of crossing a line; Iniquity: a deep, crooked moral condition or guilt.
Scope
Covers all wrongdoing, thought and deed.
Trespass often refers to a discrete offense against someone; iniquity often describes ingrained guilt or twisted character.
Used together for fullness
David asks God to blot out his 'transgressions,' wash him from 'iniquity,' and cleanse him from 'sin' (Psalm 51:1-2) - three angles on the same problem.
The variety of Hebrew/Greek terms conveys the many dimensions of human wrongdoing rather than three unrelated categories.
Scripture References
Wash Me From Mine Iniquity
Psalms 51:1-21 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
David uses transgression, iniquity, and sin together, each capturing a different facet of the same confession.
All Have Sinned
Romans 3:2323 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Uses the general term for sin as 'falling short' of God's glory.
More Theology Comparisons
Explore more Bible comparisons, or ask a Bible question.