Sin, Death, and Salvation: Paul’s Mysterious View

Episode Outline:
0:00 What Paul means by sin and salvation
0:44 Intro: why sin and salvation matter so much in Christianity
1:01 Bart on starting research for his next canon book
2:23 Icebreaker: does Bart ever take time off between books?
4:00 Did ancient Jews already have a concept of sin?
6:01 Sin in the Hebrew Bible and in early Christian teaching
10:15 Why Romans spends so much time on sin and salvation
12:02 Promo break: the Q debate course and BSA updates
17:31 Paul doesn’t always mean the same thing by “sin”
20:04 Sin as a cosmic power, not just bad behavior
25:30 How Christ defeats both the penalty of sin and the power of sin
31:11 Why Paul’s view is more complicated than most people realize
33:19 Scholar Spotlight: Amy-Jill Levine

Episode Description

In this episode Megan Lewis invites Bart Ehrman, renowned Bible scholar and bestselling author, to explore what sin meant for the Apostle Paul, how salvation was understood, and in what ways these ideas have evolved.

The conversation begins by examining whether the concept of sin would have been recognized by ancient Jews. Bart Ehrman explains that the idea of “sin” appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, where it literally means “to miss the mark”—like failing to hit a target with a bow and arrow. This theme carries forward into Greek, with the word “hamartano” similarly meaning to miss the mark. Sin, in this context, is often described as failing to meet God's expectations, whether through explicit violations of the law, like breaking the Ten Commandments, or more nuanced failures, like oppressing the poor.

From the Hebrew Bible, the discussion shifts to the New Testament, showing that concepts of transgressing God’s will continue—not only in individual acts, but in a more cosmic sense. Both John the Baptist and Jesus proclaimed that sincere repentance led directly to forgiveness, separating personal remorse from Temple sacrifices.

Why does Paul spend so much time discussing sin and salvation—especially in his letter to the Romans? Bart Ehrman reveals that Romans is unique, written to a church Paul did not found, and seeks to clarify his gospel message amidst rumors and misunderstandings.

A particularly eye-opening portion of the episode is when Bart Ehrman explains that Paul uses the word “sin” in multiple ways. Sometimes Paul refers to sin as a simple transgression—a violation of God’s law. But elsewhere, Paul describes sin as a cosmic, enslaving power—a force that dominates humanity, often paired with the power of death. Understanding this distinction is crucial to grasping the full meaning of Paul’s teachings.

How does Paul solve the problem of sin and salvation? The hosts examine Paul’s “two-track” solution. For transgressions, Christ’s death is a sacrificial payment, reconciling humanity to God. To break free from the cosmic power of sin, however, believers must unite with Christ through baptism, mystically participating in Christ’s victory over both sin and death.

The episode concludes with discussion of how these ideas changed as Christianity evolved. St. Augustine, for instance, reframed Paul’s external cosmic power as “original sin”—an inherited internal nature. The hosts also share recommended scholarship, with Bart Ehrman spotlighting Amy-Jill Levine’s work for further reading.

3 Key Takeaways
- Sin as “Missing the Mark”: In both Hebrew and Greek, the common word for sin literally means failing to meet a standard, whether in relationships or in obedience to God.
- Paul’s Multifaceted Idea of Sin: Paul views sin both as concrete acts and as a cosmic, enslaving power—requiring more than just sacrifice or remorse for redemption.
- Salvation as Dual Solution: Paul teaches that Christ’s death atones for transgressions, while participating in Christ through baptism frees believers from the enslaving power of sin.

Also watch these episodes:
Did Paul Accept the Teachings of Jesus?
Did Paul Accept the Teachings of Jesus?

Am I Going to Hell? What the New Testament Says About Death and the Afterlife
Am I Going to Hell? What the New Testament Says About Death and the Afterlife

Were Early Christians Known to Be Moral Reprobates?
Were Early Christians Known to Be Moral Reprobates?