This is how I read the Scripture
@MTMattie
Scripture provides compelling and conclusive evidence that Jesus Christ was
entirely free from sin--not only in action but also in desire, inclination, and inner disposition. Even when subjected to real temptation, including hunger, suffering, and satanic enticement, He remained holy in nature, unstained in mind, and invincible in will.
1. Hebrews 4:15 – The Sinless High Priest, Fully Tempted Yet Inwardly Pure
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Greek: πειρασθέντα δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθ’ ὁμοιότητα χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας
The participle πειρασθέντα
(aorist passive of πειράζω) confirms that Christ underwent real temptation.
The phrase κατὰ πάντα καθ’ ὁμοιότητα ("in every respect like us") shows His full human experience.
But crucially, the phrase
χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας means “without sin in every sense”--not only behaviorally, but in disposition and internal nature. The preposition
χωρὶς (“apart from”) denotes complete separation, and the anarthrous ἁμαρτίας includes sin in any form or expression, not merely acts.
Thus, as our High Priest, Jesus is both sympathetic to our frailty and categorically distinct in His internal moral purity.
James 1:13 – God Cannot Be Tempted Internally by Evil
“God cannot be tempted with evil”
Greek: ὁ γὰρ Θεὸς
ἀπείραστός ἐστιν κακῶν
The adjective ἀπείραστος (not temptable) describes One who is utterly unresponsive to evil’s allure.
Though Christ was tempted externally (e.g., in the wilderness), His divine nature ensured that no inner inclination toward sin existed.
His temptations were thus real but not fueled by internal corruption (unlike James 1:14–15, which describes human temptation as arising from inward lust).
3. John 14:30 – “The Ruler of This World Has Nothing in Me”
“The ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.”
Greek: οὐκ ἔχει ἐν ἐμοὶ οὐδέν
Satan had no foothold, no “hook” of sin, no latent corruption to exploit within Christ.
The emphatic οὐδέν ("nothing at all") denies any internal defect or susceptibility.
This is a categorical denial that Jesus possessed a “sin nature” or any inward disposition to sin.
4. 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “He Knew No Sin”
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Greek: τὸν μὴ γνόντα ἁμαρτίαν
The phrase μὴ γνόντα
(aorist participle of γινώσκω) means Christ had no
experiential knowledge of sin---not in thought, not in desire, not in nature.
This refers to a total absence of sin in His person, not merely in behavior.
He was thus a pure substitute, bearing sin externally on the cross, never internally.
Hebrews 7:26 – Holy, Innocent, Unstained
“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest: holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.”
Greek: Ὅσιος, ἄκακος, ἀμίαντος, κεχωρισμένος ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν
Ὅσιος = inwardly holy, pious in nature
ἄκακος = without malice, harmless, no evil intent
ἀμίαντος = free from defilement, morally and ritually pure
These descriptors emphasize that Christ’s inner being was untouched by moral decay—unlike any Levitical priest.
6. Luke 1:35 – The Holy One Conceived of the Spirit
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you… therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”
Greek: διὸ καὶ τὸ γεννώμενον ἅγιον
Jesus is called ἅγιον (holy) from conception, which distinguishes Him from all other humans born under Adam’s fallen nature (cf. Rom. 5:12).
His humanity is true and complete, yet He is born without inherited corruption, being conceived by the Spirit, not through a human father.
1 Peter 2:22 – Sinless in Mouth and Heart
“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth.”
Greek: ὃς ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἐποίησεν, οὐδὲ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ
οὐκ ἐποίησεν – He did not commit sin (perfect record of action)
οὐδὲ εὑρέθη – not even found in Him; this passive verb shows that even under divine scrutiny, no trace of inner deceit could be discovered
This includes both speech and inner intent—the absence of guile proves internal moral perfection.
Temptation Without Sin Nature or Inclination
Tempted? Yes – in all points (Heb. 4:15)
Possessed Sin Nature? No – separated from sin (Heb. 7:26; John 14:30)
Inclined to Sin? No – knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21)
Conceived in Sin? No – born of the Spirit, called holy (Luke 1:35)
Susceptible to Lust or Malice? No – holy, innocent, unstained (Heb. 7:26)
Jesus Christ is our perfect High Priest not only because He sympathizes with our weakness, but because He never once
shared in our sinfulness--
not in act, not in nature, not even in inclination. He was tempted without being temptable in the inward sense, remaining perfectly holy, inside and out.
While some may still view this as open to debate, Scripture itself speaks with unmistakable clarity on this matter, sister------it is not subject to dispute where the Word is definitive.
Shalom and have a blessed day in Messiah.
J.