The term "offendeth" is an archaic form of the verb "offend," which appears in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version. In the context of Scripture, to "offend" generally means to cause someone to stumble in their faith or to lead them into sin. It can also refer to causing someone to feel hurt or insulted. The concept of offending is significant in biblical teachings, as it relates to the moral and spiritual responsibilities of believers toward one another.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Causing Others to Stumble: One of the primary concerns in the New Testament regarding offending is the potential to cause others to stumble in their faith. Jesus warns against this in the Gospels. In Matthew 18:6 , Jesus 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 underscores the gravity of leading others into sin or causing them to falter in their spiritual walk.

2. Personal Conduct and Responsibility: The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of offending others in the context of Christian liberty and personal conduct. In 1 Corinthians 8:9 , Paul advises, "Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." Here, Paul emphasizes the importance of being mindful of how one's actions might affect the conscience and spiritual well-being of fellow believers, particularly those who are weaker in faith.

3. The Tongue and Offense: The Epistle of James highlights the potential of the tongue to offend. James 3:2 states, "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 passage points to the difficulty of controlling one's speech and the ease with which words can lead to offense, both to God and to others.

4. Forgiveness and Reconciliation: While the Bible acknowledges the reality of offense, it also provides guidance on how to address it. In Matthew 18:15 , Jesus instructs, "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." This teaching encourages believers to seek reconciliation and forgiveness, promoting unity and healing within the body of Christ.

5. Avoiding Offense for the Sake of the Gospel: Paul also speaks about avoiding offense in the context of spreading the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 10:32-33 , he writes, "Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in all I do, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, so that they may be saved." Here, Paul underscores the importance of being considerate and selfless in order to advance the Gospel effectively.

Theological Implications

The concept of offending in the Bible carries significant theological implications. It highlights the interconnectedness of the Christian community and the responsibility of each believer to live in a manner that edifies others. Offending others, particularly in matters of faith, is seen as a serious issue that can hinder spiritual growth and disrupt the unity of the church. The teachings on offense call believers to exercise love, humility, and self-control, prioritizing the spiritual welfare of others and the integrity of the Gospel message.

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 2, Etc. , About the ...
... And at [3026] once thou art prepared to speak against any one; and I would it
were against him who offendeth God, and not who offendeth thee. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xl on the words.htm

John Chapter xiii. 10-Jun (Continued), and Song of Sol. v. 2, 3
... are afraid, amid the difficulties of such work, of falling into sin, she says,
"I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?" For whosoever offendeth not in ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lvii john chapter xiii.htm

Sermons on the Card.
... mind against his said neighbour, he will peradventure express his ire by no manner
of sign, either in word or deed: yet, nevertheless, he offendeth against God ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/sermons on the card.htm

One and the Same God the Father Inflicts Punishment on the ...
... The Son of man shall send His angels, and they shall gather from His kingdom everything
that offendeth, and those who work iniquity, and shall send them into a ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xl one and the same.htm

Letter Xlix. --Letter to Dracontius . Written AD 354 or 355.
... For if he that offendeth one of the little ones, should rather choose that a mill
stone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xlix letter to dracontius.htm

The Same Continued.
... Who is he "that slippeth not in his tongue," [1652] and "offendeth not in word?"
[1653] It, however, makes all the difference in the world, to what extent, and ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 18 the same continued.htm

Whether Oaths are Desirable and to be Used Frequently as Something ...
... ie if he deceive his brother, "his sin shall be upon him: and if he dissemble it,"
by swearing falsely, and with dissimulation, "he offendeth double," [because ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether oaths are desirable and.htm

Psalm CXLIX.
... concord. If any one's voice is out of harmony in a chorus of singers, it
offendeth the ear, and throweth the chorus into confusion. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlix.htm

John Chapter xviii. 33-40.
... harvest is the end of the world, when the reapers, that is to say, the angels, shall
come and gather out of His kingdom everything that offendeth; [1842] which ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxv john chapter xviii.htm

Letter xv. Social and Relative Duties.
... "He that offendeth in one point is guilty of all." Especially avoid the indulgence
of a selfish disposition. It is both unamiable and unchristian. ...
/.../letter xv social and relative.htm

Offendeth (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Offendeth (1 Occurrence). ... If any man offendeth not in word,
the same is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. (WBS). ...
/o/offendeth.htm - 6k

Offense (44 Occurrences)

/o/offense.htm - 18k

Offenders (4 Occurrences)

/o/offenders.htm - 7k

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