Luke 18:9-14 English Standard Version
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The focal point of this parable is verse 9.
We all want to feel better about ourselves. What doesn’t work is looking down on others. We see it almost daily, everywhere we go. Some of it is rather harmless, like seeing someone else’s driving. “I would never drive like that.” Then I misjudged the clearance between my car and another as I park. It was not intentional but I rubbed fenders.
That is Vine’s definition of sinner, missing the mark. What is missing in that definition is what you are aiming to hit or in my example, what you intend to miss.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia lists the first definition as “devoted to sin”.
Both definitions deal with the noun and fail to define sin itself.
Proverbs 18:1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
Sin is defined by God. Some deny God’s right to judge us.
1 Peter 1:16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
This is not a commandment, it is a reminder.
Leviticus 11:45 For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”
That is not a commandment, it is a declaration. God said so, so it is so.
Isaiah 43:10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.