Who is a sinner?

Understanding Sin, the Law, and the New Covenant: Insights from Galatians, Romans, and Zacchaeus

In the New Testament, the interplay between sin, the Mosaic Law, and the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ is a central theme, vividly illustrated in the teachings of Paul and the ministry of Jesus. A key question arises: how does the concept of being a "sinner" under the Old Testament Law relate to the New Covenant established by Jesus? This article explores this question by weaving together insights from Galatians 2:15, Romans 6 and 10, and the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19, showing how the label of "sinner" shifts from Law-breaking to the need for faith in Christ’s death and resurrection.
The Jewish Context: Sinners and the Law
In first-century Judaism, the term "sinner" carried a specific weight. For devout Jews, particularly the Pharisees, righteousness was tied to adherence to the Mosaic Law—its moral, ceremonial, and social commands. Those who failed to keep the Law, or the Pharisees’ strict interpretations of it, were labeled "sinners." This included Gentiles, who lived outside the covenant, and certain Jews, like tax collectors, whose professions or lifestyles violated religious standards. As Paul notes in Galatians 2:15 (NKJV), “We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,” Jews saw themselves as distinct because of their covenantal relationship with God, marked by the Law.
The Law was a divine gift, revealing God’s will, exposing sin (Romans 3:20), and preparing Israel for the coming Messiah (Galatians 3:24). It gave Jews a privileged identity as God’s chosen people, called to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). However, as Paul argues, the Law couldn’t justify—make someone truly righteous—because no one could keep it perfectly (Romans 3:23). Instead, it pointed to the need for a greater salvation.
Zacchaeus: A Sinner by Law, Redeemed by Grace
The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 vividly illustrates this dynamic. Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, was a Jew but was branded a "sinner" by the Pharisees (Luke 19:7). His profession—collaborating with Roman authorities and likely extorting money—made him ritually and morally impure in their eyes. Tax collectors were seen as traitors to Israel, automatically outside the covenant’s righteousness due to their failure to uphold the Law’s standards of justice (Leviticus 19:13).
When Jesus chose to dine with Zacchaeus, the Pharisees grumbled, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” Their complaint reflects the mindset that not keeping the Law, or its Pharisaic interpretations, equated to being a sinner, akin to Gentiles. Yet, Jesus’ response was revolutionary. He didn’t condemn Zacchaeus but called him to fellowship, leading to Zacchaeus’ repentance (Luke 19:8, giving half his goods to the poor and restoring fourfold). Jesus declared, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham” (Luke 19:9). Zacchaeus’ faith and transformation, not Law-keeping, restored him to God’s covenant family.
Paul’s Theology: From Law to Faith
Paul builds on this shift in his letters, particularly in Galatians and Romans. In Galatians 2:15-16, he contrasts Jews, who had the Law, with Gentile "sinners," but quickly dismantles this divide: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.” The Law, while valuable, couldn’t erase sin or grant eternal righteousness. Instead, justification—being declared right with God—comes through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection.
In Romans 6, Paul explains how believers die to sin through union with Christ, symbolized in baptism: “As many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death” (Romans 6:3, NKJV). This union, not Law-keeping, frees believers from sin’s dominion. Baptism is the normative sign of this reality, but Paul’s broader theology emphasizes faith as the root (Romans 5:1). In exceptional cases, like the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43), faith alone suffices, showing God’s grace isn’t limited to rituals.
Romans 10:9-10 provides a clear outline for this faith: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Believing in Christ’s resurrection and confessing His lordship unite a believer to Him, replacing the Law’s role with faith in Christ’s finished work.
The New Covenant: A New Standard
Under the New Covenant, the concept of "sinner" shifts. Jesus fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17), establishing a new framework where righteousness is rooted in faith, not ritual observance. Failing to trust in Jesus or follow His teachings—such as loving God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40) or abiding in Him (John 15:4-5)—could be seen as analogous to not keeping the Law in the old system, as it separates one from God’s righteousness. However, the New Testament emphasizes grace over condemnation.
Unlike the Pharisees, who ostracized "sinners" like Zacchaeus, Jesus sought them out to offer salvation (Luke 5:31-32). Paul echoes this, teaching that all are sinners (Romans 3:23) but can be justified through faith (Romans 5:1). Even believers who fall short are called to repent and receive forgiveness (1 John 1:9), not to be labeled as outcasts.
Knowing You’re Trusting in Christ
How can one know they’re truly trusting in Christ’s death and resurrection? Romans 10:9-10 offers a starting point: believing in your heart that God raised Jesus and confessing Him as Lord. This faith manifests in:

• Internal Conviction: Resting in Christ’s sacrifice, not your own works, for salvation (Galatians 2:20).

• External Fruit: A transformed life, marked by love, obedience, and perseverance (Galatians 5:22-23, 1 John 3:14)

• Ongoing Reliance: Turning to Christ in prayer, Scripture, and community, even amidst doubts (Romans 10:17, Hebrews 10:24-25).

Doubts don’t negate faith; they refine it (Mark 9:24). The Spirit’s work, producing peace (Romans 5:1) and assurance (Romans 8:16), confirms this trust.
Conclusion:
From Law to GraceThe Pharisees’ view of Zacchaeus as a "sinner" for not keeping the Law reflects the old covenant’s focus on obedience as the path to righteousness. But Jesus and Paul reveal a new way: faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. Just as failing to keep the Law labeled one a sinner in the old system, rejecting Jesus’ lordship aligns with sin in the New Covenant—but with a crucial difference. Jesus offers grace, seeking the lost to transform them, as seen in Zacchaeus’ story. Paul’s teachings in Galatians and Romans affirm that justification comes through faith, not works, uniting Jew and Gentile in Christ’s body.
This shift invites us to trust in Christ’s finished work, confess Him as Lord, and live out our faith in His transformative grace. Whether you’re wrestling with doubts or seeking to grow in faith, the New Testament assures us that Jesus welcomes all who turn to Him, just as He did Zacchaeus.For further exploration, consider studying Luke 19, Romans 6 and 10, or Galatians 2-3, or engaging with a faith community to deepen your understanding of Christ’s grace.