Topical Bible: Offense

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the Bible, the term "offense" can refer to a stumbling block, a cause of sin, or an act that leads someone to fall away from faith or righteousness. The concept of offense is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, where it is often associated with sin, temptation, and the responsibility of believers to avoid causing others to stumble.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "offense" is "mikshol," which means a stumbling block or an obstacle. This concept is frequently associated with idolatry and actions that lead the Israelites away from God. For example, in Ezekiel 7:19, the prophet warns of the consequences of idolatry: "They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean. Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has caused them to stumble into sin."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "skandalon" is often used to denote an offense or stumbling block. Jesus Himself warns against causing others to stumble in their faith. In Matthew 18:6-7 , He states, "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world for the offenses! For it is necessary that offenses come, but woe to the man by whom the offense comes!"

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of offense in his letters. In Romans 14:13 , he advises, "Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way." Paul emphasizes the importance of love and consideration for others, urging believers to avoid actions that might lead others to sin or weaken their faith.

Offense and Christian Conduct

The Bible teaches that believers have a responsibility to live in a way that does not cause others to stumble. This includes being mindful of one's actions, words, and attitudes. In 1 Corinthians 8:9 , Paul writes, "Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." Here, Paul addresses the issue of eating food offered to idols, highlighting the need for sensitivity to the consciences of others.

Furthermore, Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount underscores the seriousness of dealing with personal offenses. In Matthew 5:23-24 , He instructs, "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." This passage emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and resolving offenses within the community of believers.

The Role of Forgiveness

Forgiveness plays a crucial role in addressing offenses. Believers are called to forgive those who have wronged them, following the example of Christ. In Colossians 3:13 , Paul exhorts, "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This call to forgiveness is central to maintaining unity and love within the body of Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of offense encompasses both the act of causing others to stumble and the personal responsibility to avoid being a stumbling block. Believers are encouraged to live in a manner that reflects the love and holiness of God, being mindful of their influence on others and seeking reconciliation and forgiveness when offenses occur.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(n.) Alt. of Offence.

Greek

4624. skandalizo -- to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to ...
... to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to stumble, to give offense. Part of
Speech: Verb Transliteration: skandalizo Phonetic Spelling: (skan-dal-id'-zo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4624.htm - 8k

4625. skandalon -- a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare ...
... a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare, a stumbling block, an offense.
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: skandalon Phonetic Spelling: (skan ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4625.htm - 8k

4349. proskope -- an occasion of stumbling
... Feminine Transliteration: proskope Phonetic Spelling: (pros-kop-ay') Short Definition:
a cause of stumbling Definition: a cause of stumbling, offense, shock. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4349.htm - 6k

4348. proskomma -- a stumbling, an occasion of stumbling
... Word Origin from proskopto Definition a stumbling, an occasion of stumbling NASB
Word Usage obstacle (1), offense (1), stumbling (3), stumbling block (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4348.htm - 6k

3783. opheilema -- that which is owed, a debt
... is owed, a debt. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: opheilema Phonetic
Spelling: (of-i'-lay-mah) Short Definition: a debt, offense, sin Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3783.htm - 6k

677. aproskopos -- not causing to stumble, not stumbling
... prefix) and proskopto Definition not causing to stumble, not stumbling NASB
Word Usage blameless (2), no offense (1). without offense. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/677.htm - 6k

266. hamartia -- a sin, failure
... Ro 14:23). Word Origin from hamartano Definition a sin, failure NASB Word
Usage sin (96), sinful (2), sins (75). offense, sin, sinful. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/266.htm - 7k

4350. proskopto -- to strike against, to stumble
... proskopto Phonetic Spelling: (pros-kop'-to) Short Definition: I stumble Definition:
I stumble, strike the foot against, beat upon, take offense at. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4350.htm - 6k

3847. parabasis -- a going aside, a transgression
... Word Origin from parabaino Definition a going aside, a transgression NASB Word Usage
breaking (1), offense (1), transgression (2), transgressions (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3847.htm - 7k

264. hamartano -- to miss the mark, do wrong, sin
... Word Origin from an early root hamart- Definition to miss the mark, do wrong, sin
NASB Word Usage commit sin (1), committed...offense (1), committing (1), sin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/264.htm - 9k

Strong's Hebrew

817. asham -- offense, guilt
... 816, 817. asham. 818 . offense, guilt. Transliteration: asham Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-shawm') Short Definition: offering. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/817.htm - 6k

6292. piggul -- foul thing, refuse
... 6291, 6292. piggul. 6293 . foul thing, refuse. Transliteration: piggul
Phonetic Spelling: (pig-gool') Short Definition: offense. ...
/hebrew/6292.htm - 6k

818. ashem -- guilty
... Word Origin from asham Definition guilty NASB Word Usage guilty (2), offense (1),
one who (1), one who is guilty (1). one which is faulty, guilty. ...
/hebrew/818.htm - 6k

Library

The House of Offense
... Chapter XI THE HOUSE OF OFFENSE. On his way to the oaken door that was for
ever double-barred, in that small hall which led to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter xi the house of.htm

Whether Man Can Make Satisfaction to God?
... For satisfaction should balance the offense, as shown above ([4854]Q[12],
AA[2],3). But an offense against God is infinite, since it is measured by the person ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether man can make satisfaction.htm

Whether Sin Can be Pardoned Without Penance?
... For, as sin is an offense against God, He pardons sin in the same way as
he pardons an offense committed against Him. Now an offense ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sin can be pardoned.htm

Whether Christ Should have Preached to the Jews Without Offending ...
... is given us by the Son of God." But we should avoid offending not only the faithful,
but even unbelievers, according to 1:Cor.10:32: "Be without offense to the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ should have preached 2.htm

Whether a Man Can Satisfy for one Sin Without Satisfying for ...
... For since the previous offense has to be removed by satisfaction, the mode of
satisfaction must needs be consistent with the removal of the offense. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man can satisfy.htm

Whether Satisfaction is an Act of Justice?
... But this is done by satisfaction which establishes equality between amendment and
the previous offense. Therefore satisfaction is an act of justice. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether satisfaction is an act.htm

Whether Christ's Passion Brought About Our Salvation by Way of ...
... by His personal suffering. Objection 2: Further, no atonement is made to
another by committing a graver offense. But in Christ's ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs passion brought about 2.htm

Whether Satisfaction must be Made by Means of Penal Works?
... means of penal works. For satisfaction should make compensation for the offense
committed against God. Now, seemingly, no compensation ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether satisfaction must be made.htm

Whether the Infusion of Grace is Required for the Remission of ...
... I answer that, by sinning a man offends God as stated above ([2214]Q[71], A[5] ).
Now an offense is remitted to anyone, only when the soul of the offender is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the infusion of grace.htm

Whether the Debt of Punishment that Arises through Ingratitude in ...
... man is very ungrateful, either on account of the intensity of his scorn for the
favor received, or on account of the gravity of the offense committed against ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the debt of punishment 4.htm

Thesaurus

Offense (44 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Offense (44 Occurrences). ... for it must needs be that offenses
come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh! (Root in WBS). ...
/o/offense.htm - 18k

Offence (27 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) See Offense. 2. (n.) The act of offending
in any sense; esp., a crime or a sin, an affront or an injury. ...
/o/offence.htm - 25k

Offend (24 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 25:12, "hath greatly offended"; Hosea 4:15, the Revised Version margin
"become guilty"; 5:15, "till they acknowledge their offense," the Revised ...
/o/offend.htm - 23k

Forfeit (12 Occurrences)
... what is or may be taken from one in requital of a misdeed committed; that which
is lost, or the right to which is alienated, by a crime, offense, neglect of ...
/f/forfeit.htm - 13k

Excommunication
... nidduy, for the first offense, forbade the bath, the razor, the convivial table,
and restricted social intercourse and the frequenting of the temple. ...
/e/excommunication.htm - 15k

Offenses (23 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses
come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh! (WBS). ...
/o/offenses.htm - 12k

Crime (45 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Gross violation of human law, in distinction from a misdemeanor or trespass,
or other slight offense. Hence, also, any aggravated ...
/c/crime.htm - 51k

Nadab (21 Occurrences)
... 1, 2 Numbers 3:4; Numbers 26:61). The nature of their offense is far from
clear. The word rendered "strange" seems in this connection ...
/n/nadab.htm - 16k

Fine (184 Occurrences)
... settlement of a claim, or by way of terminating a matter in dispute; especially,
a payment of money imposed upon a party as a punishment for an offense; a mulct ...
/f/fine.htm - 47k

Trespass (101 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To commit any offense, or to do any act that injures or annoys another;
to violate any rule of rectitude, to the injury of another; hence, in a moral ...
/t/trespass.htm - 44k

Resources

How can I learn to not take offense at little things? | GotQuestions.org

How and when should we overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about political correctness? Should a Christian be politically correct? | GotQuestions.org

Offense: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Offense (44 Occurrences)

Matthew 11:6
Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me."
(See NAS RSV)

Matthew 13:57
They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house."
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 16:23
But he turned, and said to Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan; thou art an offense to me: for thou savorest not the things that are of God, but those that are of men.
(WBS)

Matthew 17:27
But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you."
(See RSV)

Matthew 18:7
Woe to the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!
(Root in WBS)

Mark 6:3
Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" They were offended at him.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 7:23
Blessed is he who is not offended by me."
(See NAS RSV)

John 6:61
But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, "Does this cause you to stumble?
(See RSV)

Acts 23:28
And, wishing to know with certainty the offense of which they were accusing him, I brought him down into their Sanhedrin,
(WEY)

Acts 24:16
Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
(WEB WBS)

Acts 25:8
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar have I committed any offense.
(WBS NAS)

Romans 5:14
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren't like Adam's disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.
(See NAS)

Romans 5:15
But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many are dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded to many.
(WBS)

Romans 5:17
For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they who receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
(WBS)

Romans 5:18
Therefore, as by the offense of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men to justification of life.
(WBS)

Romans 5:20
Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
(WBS)

Romans 9:33
even as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed."
(WEB WBS NAS)

Romans 14:20
For the sake of food, destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offense.
(WBS NAS)

1 Corinthians 10:32
Give no offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
(WBS NAS RSV)

2 Corinthians 6:3
Giving no offense in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
(WBS NAS)

2 Corinthians 11:7
Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God without reward?
(WBS)

Galatians 5:11
And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then hath the offense of the cross ceased.
(WBS NIV)

Philippians 1:10
so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;
(WEB WBS)

1 Peter 2:8
and, "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
(WEB WBS NAS)

Genesis 20:16
To Sarah he said, "Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all that are with you. In front of all you are vindicated."
(See NIV)

Genesis 31:36
Jacob was angry, and argued with Laban. Jacob answered Laban, "What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued after me?
(See RSV)

Leviticus 19:7
If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination. It will not be accepted;
(See NAS)

Deuteronomy 19:15
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established.
(See RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 21:22
If a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and you hang him on a tree;
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 22:26
but to the lady you shall do nothing; there is in the lady no sin worthy of death: for as when a man rises against his neighbor, and kills him, even so is this matter;
(See RSV)

Deuteronomy 25:2
and it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his wickedness, by number.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 25:28
Please forgive the trespass of your handmaid. For Yahweh will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights the battles of Yahweh; and evil shall not be found in you all your days.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 25:31
that this shall be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. When Yahweh has dealt well with my lord, then remember your handmaid."
(WEB KJV WBS)

2 Samuel 3:8
Then was Abner very angry for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, "Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman!
(See NIV)

Ezra 10:19
And they gave their hand that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
(See NAS)

Job 10:14
if I sin, then you mark me. You will not acquit me from my iniquity.
(See NIV)

Job 13:23
How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
(See NIV)

Psalms 59:3
For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, Yahweh.
(See NIV)

Proverbs 17:9
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
(WEB RSV NIV)

Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
(WEB RSV NIV)

Isaiah 8:14
And he will be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a trap and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
(WBS RSV)

Jeremiah 24:9
I will even give them up to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil; to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 22:11
One has committed abomination with his neighbor's wife; and another has lewdly defiled his daughter-in-law; and another in you has humbled his sister, his father's daughter.
(See NIV)

Hosea 5:15
I will go and return to my place, until they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face. In their affliction they will seek me earnestly."
(WEB WBS)

Subtopics

Offense

Related Terms

Offence (27 Occurrences)

Offend (24 Occurrences)

Forfeit (12 Occurrences)

Excommunication

Offenses (23 Occurrences)

Crime (45 Occurrences)

Nadab (21 Occurrences)

Fine (184 Occurrences)

Trespass (101 Occurrences)