What does Paul mean by the singular word 'sin' in Romans?
In Romans, Paul uses the singular 'sin' to denote old Adam, the Adamic sinful nature, not merely individual acts. It is the fountainhead of all our problems. By contrast, 'sins' plural refers to the fruit or deeds that old Adam causes us to do.
Les explains that throughout Romans he uses 'old Adam' in place of the singular word 'sin' because that is what Paul is really talking about. The singular 'sin' points to old Adam as the fountainhead of all our problems, the Adamic sinful nature. The plural 'sins,' spelled S-I-N-S, are the fruit or things we do that old Adam causes us to do. This connects to the passage in verse 3, where God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, to take the place of old Adam so that we could be crucified with Him, condemning old Adam in the flesh.
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
What does 'and for sin' mean in Romans 8:3?
God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, meaning to take the place of the old Adam so that we could be crucified with Him, with old Adam condemned in the flesh. The singular sin refers to the Adamic sinful nature, while plural sins are what it causes.
What is the difference between "sin" and "sins" in the book of Romans?
In Romans, the singular “sin” refers to the old Adam—the Adamic sinful nature and fountainhead of all problems. The plural “sins” refers to the fruit, the individual actions that old Adam causes us to do. So sin is the root; sins are the resulting deeds.
More Questions
What does the plural word 'sins' mean in Paul's writings?
Plural 'sins' in Paul's teaching are the fruit of old Adam—the things that old Adam causes us to do.