Les Feldick teaches that sin (singular) is the old Adamic nature inherited from Adam, while sins (plural) are the individual acts that nature produces.
According to Les's exposition of Romans, the singular 'sin' refers to the indwelling old Adamic nature—the fountainhead of all wrongdoing. The plural 'sins' are the outward actions, the fruit of that nature. This distinction is consistent throughout his teaching on Romans 6, 7, and 8.
Romans 6:14 — Paul's use of 'sin' in the singular here points to the ruling power of the old nature, which is the core of the distinction.
The Bible uses 'sin' in both singular and plural forms, indicating a distinction. Romans 6:14 says, 'For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.' Here, 'sin' is singular, denoting a ruling power or nature. In Ephesians 2:1, Paul speaks of being 'dead in trespasses and sins,' where 'sins' is plural, referring to specific acts. The consistent pattern is that 'sin' (singular) often refers to the principle or nature of sin, while 'sins' (plural) refers to individual transgressions.
Les emphasizes that in Romans, 'sin' (singular) always refers to the old Adamic nature—the inner sinful condition inherited from Adam. He calls it the 'fountainhead' or 'manufacturing point' of all wrongdoing. In contrast, 'sins' (plural) are the actual deeds, the 'fruit' or 'results' of that old nature. He illustrates this with the analogy of an old whiskey still: the still is the producer (sin), and what it produces (sins) is what causes harm. This distinction is foundational to understanding justification and sanctification in Paul's epistles.
Distinguishing sin (the nature) from sins (the acts) is crucial for understanding the gospel. Les points out that a person is a sinner not because of specific sins they commit, but because they are children of Adam (Clip 4). The old Adamic nature is the root problem, and it produces sinful actions. Recognizing this helps believers see that deliverance comes through Christ's work on the cross, which condemns the old nature, not just through trying to stop individual sins.
Les consistently equates the singular 'sin' with the 'old Adam'—the sinful nature inherited from Adam. He says this nature is the 'fountainhead of all our problems' (Clip 5). It is like a factory or still that produces sins. Even if a person appears morally good, the old Adamic nature is still present and is the underlying reason for their separation from God.
Why Did Adam's Sin Affect All of Us? Romans 5:10-14
And all these good things have happened simply because we believe the gospel. Now I'm not taking away other ramifications of the Christian experience. The only reason I do not mention the local church more than I do is because there are so many local churches that I wouldn't want anybody to even try to get anything from because they're going to be misled, and they're not going to be fed from the W…
Defining Sin and Sins
Les explicitly teaches that 'sin' (singular) is the old Adamic nature, and 'sins' (plural) are the acts produced by that nature, emphasizing the need to keep this separation in Bible study.
Fountainhead and Results
Les repeats the distinction, calling old Adam the 'fountainhead' and 'manufacturing point' of sins, which are the results of that nature.
Consistent Pattern
Les restates that 'sin' (singular) usually refers to old Adam, and 'sins' to what he causes us to do, showing the consistency of this interpretive key.
Sinner by Nature
Les explains that people are sinners because they are children of Adam, not merely because of specific acts—the old nature is the root cause.
Whiskey Still Analogy
Les uses the analogy of an old whiskey still to illustrate that sin (the nature) is the producer, while sins (the acts) are what it produces.
Sin Nature in Romans
Les emphasizes that in Romans, the singular 'sin' speaks of the old Adamic nature we are born with, not individual acts like theft or adultery.
Old Adam Takes the Place of Sin
Les explains that in Romans, he substitutes 'old Adam' for the singular 'sin' because that is what Paul means—the fountainhead of all problems, with sins as its fruit.
Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Uses 'sin' singular to describe the ruling power of the old nature, which is the key verse for the distinction.
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The singular 'sin' again points to the whole nature that leads to death.
Romans 8:3: 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:
Paul says God condemned 'sin' (singular) in the flesh—referring to the old Adamic nature that was judged on the cross.
Yes. According to Les Feldick, 'sin' (singular) refers to the old Adamic nature—the inner sinful condition we inherit from Adam. 'Sins' (plural) are the individual acts produced by that nature. This distinction is essential for understanding Paul's teaching in Romans.
The 'old Adam' is the term Les uses for the sinful nature inherited from Adam. It is the singular 'sin' that is the fountainhead of all wrongdoing. It is the inner source that causes us to commit sins.
Look at the Greek word: 'hamartia' (singular) often refers to the principle of sin, while 'hamartiai' (plural) refers to specific acts. Context also helps—if it speaks of a power or nature, it's likely singular; if it speaks of deeds, it's plural.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Adam's Sin Affect All of Us? Romans 5:10-14