ἁμαρτωλός (hamartōlos)
hamartōlos
sinful
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 46 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective hamartōlos describes someone who is "devoted to sin" or simply a "sinner." It derives from the verb for missing the mark, so it carries the sense of falling short of a standard rather than just committing isolated acts. In the New Testament, this word appears forty-six times, with Jesus using it frequently in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Its meaning shifts depending on context. Sometimes it refers to all humanity as sinful, as seen in Romans 5:8 where Christ died for sinners. At other times, it identifies a specific social group labeled as morally corrupt or especially wicked, such as the tax collectors and "sinners" who gathered around Jesus (Matthew 9:10-11). In these passages, religious leaders often use the term to exclude others, while Jesus embraces them.
A notable feature of its usage is how it bridges personal failure and social identity. The sources note that in the Septuagint, it often translates the Hebrew word rasha, meaning a wicked person. This background helps explain why the term could carry such strong social stigma, marking individuals as outsiders from the community of the righteous.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ἁμαρτωλὸς (hamartōlos) carries the image of missing a target. It describes someone who falls short of God’s standard, rather than just breaking a specific rule. This definition removes the shame of being 'bad' and replaces it with the honest reality that we all need help. It is not a label of permanent failure, but a starting point for grace.
In the Gospels, Jesus uses this term to describe those who recognize their need for mercy. He does not distance Himself from them; instead, He sits at table with tax collectors and sinners, offering friendship and a path to repentance. This shows that God’s love is not reserved for the perfect, but is freely given to those who admit they are lost.
When you feel far from God because of your mistakes, remember that Jesus calls Himself the friend of sinners. His invitation is open to you. You do not need to clean yourself up first; you only need to come to Him with honesty and receive the mercy He offers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 46 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sinners20×
- a sinner5×
- sinful4×
- to sinners3×
- sinner3×
- sinners,2×
- sinful,2×
- of sinners.2×
- sinners;1×
- sinner!1×
- sinful.1×
- of sinners!1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἁμαρτωλοὶ9×
- ἁμαρτωλῶν8×
- ἁμαρτωλῶν.4×
- ἁμαρτωλός4×
- ἁμαρτωλὸς4×
- ἁμαρτωλῷ3×
- ἁμαρτωλοὺς3×
- ἁμαρτωλοῖς2×
- ἁμαρτωλούς2×
- ἁμαρτωλοί,2×
- ἁμαρτωλῷ.1×
- ἁμαρτωλῷ,1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 5:8
But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.”
Peter uses this word to express his awe and unworthiness before Jesus’ power, showing that recognizing one’s sinfulness leads to worship.
-
Matthew 9:13
But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Jesus quotes Hosea to explain that His mission is specifically directed toward those who know they are sinners and need repentance.
-
Luke 15:7
I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
This verse highlights the heavenly joy that occurs when a sinner turns back to God, emphasizing value over judgment.
-
Luke 18:13
But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
The tax collector’s prayer uses this word as a humble plea for mercy, contrasting with the pride of the religious elite.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hamartōlos mean in the New Testament?
How is Jesus different from religious leaders regarding sinners?
Does this word mean a person is permanently evil?
Every Occurrence (46 verses across 12 books)
Matthew 5 verses
As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
Matthew 9:11When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Matthew 9:13But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but…
Matthew 11:19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax…
Matthew 26:45Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and…