In the context of the Bible, the term "stumbles" often refers to a moral or spiritual failing, a lapse in faith, or an act of sin that causes one to fall short of God's standards. The concept of stumbling is frequently used metaphorically to describe the challenges and pitfalls that believers may encounter in their walk with God.

Old Testament References

The imagery of stumbling is present in the Old Testament, where it often signifies a departure from God's commandments. In Proverbs 4:19, the path of the wicked is described: "The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble." This verse highlights the spiritual blindness and moral confusion that accompany a life apart from God.

Isaiah also uses the metaphor of stumbling to describe the consequences of sin and disobedience. In Isaiah 8:14-15, the prophet speaks of the Lord as both a sanctuary and a stone of stumbling: "He will be a sanctuary, but to both houses of Israel, He will be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be ensnared and captured." Here, the imagery underscores the dual nature of God's presence as both a refuge for the faithful and a challenge for those who reject Him.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of stumbling is further developed, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself warns against causing others to stumble in their faith. In Matthew 18:6, 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." This severe warning emphasizes the responsibility of believers to support and nurture the faith of others, especially those who are young or vulnerable in their spiritual journey.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of stumbling in the context of Christian liberty and conscience. 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 encourages believers to exercise their freedom in Christ with sensitivity and love, ensuring that their actions do not lead others into sin or confusion.

James, the brother of Jesus, acknowledges the universal human tendency to stumble, particularly in speech. In James 3:2, he writes, "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body." This acknowledgment serves as a reminder of the need for humility and reliance on God's grace in overcoming personal weaknesses.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of stumbling is closely related to the doctrine of sin and the believer's sanctification process. Stumbling is an inevitable part of the human experience due to the fallen nature of humanity. However, Scripture provides assurance that God is able to keep believers from falling. Jude 1:24 proclaims, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy."

The metaphor of stumbling also serves as a call to vigilance and perseverance in the Christian life. Believers are encouraged to walk in the light of God's Word, which acts as a guide to prevent spiritual missteps. Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," underscoring the importance of Scripture in navigating the challenges of life.

In summary, the biblical concept of stumbling encompasses both the reality of human frailty and the hope of divine assistance. It serves as a reminder of the need for continual reliance on God's grace and the support of the Christian community in the journey of faith.4417. ptaio -- to cause to stumble, to stumble
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition to cause to stumble, to stumble NASB Word
Usage stumble (4), stumbles (1). offend, cause to stumble. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4417.htm - 6k

4350. proskopto -- to strike against, to stumble
... Origin from pros and kopto Definition to strike against, to stumble NASB Word Usage
slammed against (1), strike (2), stumble (2), stumbled over (1), stumbles (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4350.htm - 6k

3782. kashal -- to stumble, stagger, totter
... 1), failing (1), fall (4), fall down (1), feeble (3), feeble* (1), overthrown (1),
stumble (26), stumble badly (1), stumbled (12), stumbles (2), tottering (1 ...
/hebrew/3782.htm - 6k

Wesley and his Horses
... Nearly thirty years ago I was thinking, "How is it that no horse ever stumbles while
I am reading?" (History, poetry, and philosophy I commonly read on ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley and his horses.htm

Whether Scandal is a Sin?
... Objection 3: Further, scandal denotes a stumbling. But he that stumbles does not
always fall. Therefore scandal, which is a spiritual fall, can be without sin. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether scandal is a sin.htm

Letter i. The Christian's Mark.
... So with the Christian. He is safe while he keeps a firm hold of Christ's hand.
But the moment he attempts to walk alone, he stumbles and falls. ...
/.../letter i the christians mark.htm

Group --The Two Sons, the Wicked Husbandmen, and the Marriage of ...
... shine in the life of Christ are the pure pearly coverings which he threw around
Pharisaic pride, or Sadducean unbelief, or the self-righteous stumbles of his ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/groupthe two sons the wicked.htm

Ar Lan Yr Iorddonen
... While taunting demons sport around. At length with piteous groan. He stumbles
to the flood,". A mortal made to know. The frowning love of God: ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/il ar lan yr iorddonen.htm

1 John ii. 10
... danger of stumbling or falling. Accordingly it means: There is with him
no stumbling, he himself stumbles not. As one who walks ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john ii 10.htm

The Stone of Stumbling
... In the one case, the man stumbles and hurts himself; a remediable injury, a
self-inflicted injury, a natural injury, without the active operation of Christ ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the stone of stumbling.htm

Treatise on the Priesthood. Book V.
... For if when he stands up in the congregation and speaks words calculated to make
the careless wince, [193] he then stumbles, and stops short, and is forced to ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book 5.htm

Bethlehem and Calvary.
... Thou Kaaba, black desert-stone,. Against which half the world to-day. Still stumbles,
strive to keep thy throne. Lit by Thy Crescent's pallid ray; ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/bethlehem and calvary.htm

Who May be Said to Keep the Ways of the Lord; what it is to ...
... ways who does not so turn aside as to forsake them, but makes progress by running
his course therein; although, weak as he is, he sometimes stumbles or falls ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/anti-pelagian writings/27 who may be said.htm

Stumbles (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stumbles (8 Occurrences). ... When oppression or persecution
arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (WEB WEY). ...
/s/stumbles.htm - 8k

Stumble (89 Occurrences)
... John 11:10 But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light
isn't in him." (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/stumble.htm - 34k

Guilty (131 Occurrences)
... element. The man who stumbles in one point is "guilty" of the whole law.
James does not refer here to the degree of blameworthiness. ...
/g/guilty.htm - 39k

Stumbled (47 Occurrences)

/s/stumbled.htm - 19k

Yet (1244 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression
or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. ...
/y/yet.htm - 35k

Keeps (154 Occurrences)
... (WEY). James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one
point, he has become guilty of all. (WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV). ...
/k/keeps.htm - 33k

Offence (27 Occurrences)
... (2.) A stumbling-block or cause of temptation (Isaiah 8:14; Matthew 16:23; 18:7).
Greek skandalon, properly that at which one stumbles or takes offence. ...
/o/offence.htm - 25k

Offended (26 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY RSV). Romans 14:21 It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything
by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak. ...
/o/offended.htm - 14k

Oppression (67 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression
or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (WEB). ...
/o/oppression.htm - 29k

Lasts (9 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression
or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. ...
/l/lasts.htm - 8k

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