Knowledge of sin

Romans 3:20 says, "for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (KJV) or the NIV says, "through the law we become conscious of sin" Peter uses the word "knowledge" because the heretics of his day claimed to have superior knowledge. However, this knowledge did not lead to righteousness or the awareness of sin. We must also be careful when we read this verse because we like to think that it says that we will be made conscious of sins but it doesn't says "sins" but "sin". I have just finished reading a wonderful book by Tim Keller called Prodigal God (thanks for the present CPH)and in it he has a chapter called redefining sin. Read it, it alone is worth the price of the book.