What Is Iniquity? — Learning to Examine Our Own Hearts
What is iniquity?
Iniquity is sin—wrongdoing that is contrary to God’s righteousness.
In the Bible, the word often carries the idea of something crooked or morally twisted.
It can describe the wrongdoing itself, as well as the guilt associated with it.
These biblical words overlap, but their emphasis can differ:
Sin: falling short of God’s standard.
Transgression: crossing a boundary or breaking His command.
Iniquity: the crookedness or wrongdoing that goes against what is right in God’s sight.
In the verse we are studying
—1 Corinthians 13:6
—the word translated “iniquity” means unrighteousness or injustice.
Love does not take pleasure in wrongdoing; it rejoices in the truth. This brings the question into our own hearts: What am I taking pleasure in?
Iniquity can involve our inward motives as well as outward actions
—such as harboring hatred, practicing deceit, or justifying something we know is wrong.
It does not mean only deliberate or repeated sin,
though it can include both.
David prayed:
“Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”
—Psalm 51:2, KJV
He was asking God for cleansing that reached deeper than appearances.
Later in that same prayer, he said, “Create in me a clean heart, O God”
(Psalm 51:10).
And Isaiah points us to Jesus:
“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.”
—Isaiah 53:5, KJV
Iniquity is what needs forgiving and cleansing in us
—and Jesus is the One we can bring it to.
Continue Studying With Me
Rejoicing in the Truth: What If We Believed How Much God Loves Us?
Explore the verse that led us into this word study—and what it means to know and believe God’s love.
→ Read the Bible study and devotion
The Gospel That Is More Than Enough
Why did Jesus come, and what do we need to be saved from? Continue with the Good News of what He accomplished for us.
Who Is Jesus?
Keep exploring who He is and what it means to know Him.
Thank you for studying with me. My prayer is that we would bring our own hearts before the Lord, receive His correction and cleansing, and learn to rejoice in the truth.
Still learning, still growing, and rejoicing in the truth with you,
Karen, a fellow learner
Hope in Today Ministries, Inc.
