In biblical terminology, a "stumbling-block" refers to an obstacle or hindrance that causes someone to fall into sin or error. The concept is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, where it is used metaphorically to describe actions, behaviors, or teachings that lead others away from righteousness and truth.

Old Testament Context

The idea of a stumbling-block is first introduced in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. In Leviticus 19:14, the law explicitly warns against placing a stumbling-block before the blind, which can be understood both literally and metaphorically as causing someone to fall into sin. Ezekiel 14:3-4 speaks of the elders of Israel setting up idols in their hearts, described as "stumbling-blocks of iniquity," indicating that idolatry leads to spiritual downfall.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the term "stumbling-block" is frequently used by Jesus and the apostles to describe actions or teachings that lead believers astray. In Matthew 18:6-7 , Jesus warns, "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 causes of sin! These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!" Here, Jesus emphasizes the severe consequences of leading others into sin.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of stumbling-blocks in his epistles. 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 is concerned with the impact of personal liberty on the faith of others, urging believers to act in love and consideration to avoid causing others to stumble in their faith.

In 1 Corinthians 8:9 , Paul further elaborates, "Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." This passage highlights the responsibility of mature Christians to be mindful of their actions, particularly in matters of conscience and liberty, so as not to lead weaker believers into sin.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of a stumbling-block underscores the communal nature of the Christian faith, where individual actions can have profound effects on the spiritual well-being of others. It calls for a heightened sense of responsibility and love within the body of Christ, urging believers to prioritize the spiritual health of their community over personal freedoms.

Moreover, the metaphor of a stumbling-block serves as a warning against false teachings and doctrines that can lead believers away from the truth of the Gospel. In 1 Peter 2:8 , Christ Himself is described as "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" to those who reject Him, illustrating how the truth of Christ can be a stumbling-block to those who do not believe.

In summary, the biblical concept of a stumbling-block is a powerful reminder of the influence believers have on one another and the importance of living in a way that edifies and strengthens the faith of the community.(n.) Any cause of stumbling, perplexity, or error.STUMBLING-BLOCK; STUMBLING-STONE

stum'-bling-blok, (mikhshol, makhshelah; proskomma, skandalon): These are the most important of the varied renderings of either of two cognate Hebrew words, or of two different Greek words. Sometimes the Greek word for "stone" (lithos) accompanies the principal word. There is no important difference in the meaning of the words or of their renderings. the Revised Version (British and American) generally substitutes "stumbling" for "offence" of the King James Version.

The literal meaning of the Hebrew words-an object which causes one to stumble or fall-appears in such passages as Leviticus 19:14: "Thou shalt not.... put a stumblingblock (mikhshol) before the blind" (compare Jeremiah 6:21). But the expression is ordinarily figurative, referring to that which causes material ruin or spiritual downfall, which were closely connected in Old Testament thought (Psalm 119:165 Ezekiel 21:15). The things that lead astray are silver and gold (Ezekiel 7:19); idols (Ezekiel 14:3 Zephaniah 1:3, etc.).

One of the New Testament words, skandalon, literally means the stick of a trap to which the bait is attached, and which when touched springs the trap. Figuratively either word refers to a thing or a person that leads one to fall into error, into sin or into destruction: the cross of Christ (Galatians 5:11 Romans 11:9); another's liberty (1 Corinthians 8:9); Peter in Matthew 16:23; Christ, whose life and character were so different from Jewish expectation (Romans 9:33).

See also OFFENCE.

George Rice Hovey

4625. skandalon -- a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare ...
... stumbling block. ... ie Snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin) -- occasion
to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumblingblock. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4625.htm - 8k

4348. proskomma -- a stumbling, an occasion of stumbling
... of stumbling. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: proskomma Phonetic Spelling:
(pros'-kom-mah) Short Definition: a stumbling-block Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4348.htm - 6k

4383. mikshol -- a stumbling, means or occasion of stumbling, a ...
... a stumbling, means or occasion of stumbling, a stumbling block. Transliteration:
mikshol or mikshol Phonetic Spelling: (mik-shole') Short Definition: block. ...
/hebrew/4383.htm - 6k

4384. makshelah -- something overthrown, a stumbling block
... something overthrown, a stumbling block. Transliteration: makshelah Phonetic Spelling:
(mak-shay-law') Short Definition: ruins. ... ruin, stumbling-block. ...
/hebrew/4384.htm - 6k

1848. dophi -- a blemish, fault
... slanders. From an unused root (meaning to push over); a stumbling-block --
slanderest. 1847, 1848. dophi. 1849 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1848.htm - 5k

6330. puqah -- tottering, staggering
... Word Origin from puq Definition tottering, staggering NASB Word Usage grief (1).
grief. From puwq; a stumbling-block -- grief. see HEBREW puwq. 6329, 6330. ...
/hebrew/6330.htm - 6k

Peter as a Stumbling-Block to Jesus.
... Book XII. 23. Peter as a Stumbling-Block to Jesus. Next we must inquire
how He said to Peter, "Thou art a stumbling-block unto Me ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/23 peter as a stumbling-block.htm

My Spirit Bows in Adoration to the Cross, which is a Stumbling ...
... Chapter XVIII. My spirit bows in adoration to the cross, which is a
stumbling-block to those who? My spirit bows in adoration ...
/.../chapter xviii my spirit bows.htm

How Brother Conrad of Offida Converted a Young Brother, who was a ...
... HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPTER XLIII HOW BROTHER
CONRAD OF OFFIDA CONVERTED A YOUNG BROTHER, WHO WAS A STUMBLING BLOCK TO THE ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xliii how brother conrad.htm

The Very Simplicity of God's Means of Working, a Stumbling-Block ...
... Chapter II."The Very Simplicity of God's Means of Working, a Stumbling-
Block to the Carnal Mind. Well, but how great is the force ...
/.../tertullian/on baptism/chapter ii the very simplicity of.htm

Where There is Only one Woman, the Father Does not Make a Stay ...
... And, that we may not give a pretext to those who desire to get a pretext against
us and to speak evil of us, and that we may not be a stumbling-block to any one ...
/.../clement/two epistles concerning virginity/chapter v where there is only.htm

When Confessing the Divinity of Christ we Ought not to Pass Over ...
... But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling-block, to the Gentiles
foolishness: but to them that are saved, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter viii when confessing the.htm

Christ Crucified is an Offence and Foolishness to those who ...
... And where is that saying of yours, O Apostle Paul: "But we preach Christ crucified,
to the Jews indeed a stumbling block, but to the Gentiles foolishness: but ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xii christ crucified is.htm

The Offending Hand, or Foot, or Eye.
... which are becoming to itself, may not be able to say to the feet, "I have no need
of you." If, however, any foot be found to become a stumbling-block to the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/24 the offending hand or.htm

The Little Ones and their Stumbling-Blocks.
... he falls short of the disposition of children towards the passions, of which we
have spoken, to whom we ought not to give occasions of stumbling-block; but, if ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/17 the little ones and.htm

How those are to be Admonished who do Bad Things Secretly and Good ...
... eating put a stumbling-block of temptation in the way of the imperfect, Take heed,
lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxv how those are.htm

Stumblingblock (14 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia STUMBLING-BLOCK; STUMBLING-STONE. ... put a
stumblingblock (mikhshol) before the blind" (compare Jeremiah 6:21). ...
/s/stumblingblock.htm - 13k

Stumbling-block (20 Occurrences)
... Stumblingblock, Stumbling-block. Stumblingblocks . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(DBY YLT). Stumblingblock, Stumbling-block. Stumblingblocks . Reference Bible
/s/stumbling-block.htm - 15k

Block (22 Occurrences)
... me, and takes his idols into his heart, and puts the stumblingblock of his ... from
all your transgressions; so shall they not be a stumblingblock of iniquity ...
/b/block.htm - 16k

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

Stumbling (51 Occurrences)
... a stumblingblock of iniquity unto you. (Root in JPS YLT NAS). Ezekiel 44:12 Because
they ministered to them before their idols, and became a stumblingblock of ...
/s/stumbling.htm - 21k

Offend (24 Occurrences)
... etc., or a sin. In Scripture we have the special significance of a
stumbling-block, or cause of falling, sin, etc. 1. Old Testament ...
/o/offend.htm - 23k

Stumbling-stone (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. STUMBLING-BLOCK; STUMBLING-STONE. ... put a
stumblingblock (mikhshol) before the blind" (compare Jeremiah 6:21). ...
/s/stumbling-stone.htm - 9k

Obstacle (6 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:13 Therefore let's not judge one another any more, but judge this rather,
that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother's way, or an occasion for ...
/o/obstacle.htm - 8k

Blocks (9 Occurrences)
... for there is a necessity for the stumbling-blocks to come, but wo to that
man through whom the stumbling-block doth come! (YLT NAS). ...
/b/blocks.htm - 9k

Stumblingstone (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia STUMBLING-BLOCK; STUMBLING-STONE. ... put a
stumblingblock (mikhshol) before the blind" (compare Jeremiah 6:21). ...
/s/stumblingstone.htm - 9k

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