In biblical terminology, a "stumblingblock" 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 or behaviors that lead others away from righteousness and truth.

Old Testament Context

The term "stumblingblock" appears in the Old Testament primarily in the context of idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. In Leviticus 19:14, the Israelites are commanded, "You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the LORD." Here, the literal act of placing a physical obstacle before the blind is used to illustrate the broader principle of not leading others into sin.

Ezekiel 14:3 further expands on this concept: "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I let them inquire of Me at all?" In this passage, the prophet Ezekiel condemns the elders of Israel for their idolatry, which serves as a stumblingblock, preventing them from seeking and receiving guidance from God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the idea of a stumblingblock is frequently associated with causing others to sin or fall away from their faith. Jesus Himself warns against being a stumblingblock in Matthew 18:6: "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, especially new or vulnerable believers, into sin.

The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of stumblingblocks 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 emphasizes the importance of being considerate of others' consciences, particularly in matters of personal conviction and disputable issues.

Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 8:9, Paul cautions, "Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." Here, the focus is on the responsible use of Christian freedom, ensuring that one's actions do not lead others into sin or confusion.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of a stumblingblock highlights the communal nature of the Christian faith, where believers are called to live in a way that edifies and supports one another. It underscores the responsibility of each believer to act in love and consideration, avoiding actions that might lead others into sin or weaken their faith.

Moreover, the idea of a stumblingblock serves as a reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the need for vigilance in one's spiritual walk. It calls believers to a higher standard of conduct, one that reflects the holiness and love of Christ, and to be mindful of the impact their actions have on others within the body of Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of a stumblingblock is a powerful reminder of the responsibility Christians have to live in a way that supports and encourages others in their faith journey. It calls for a careful examination of one's actions and attitudes, ensuring they align with the teachings of Scripture and the example of Christ.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 ...
... trap-stick (bent sapling), ie Snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin) --
occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumblingblock ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4625.htm - 8k

Christ Crucified
... "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks ...
The Jews make it a stumblingblock, and the Greeks account it foolishness. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christ crucified.htm

John xvii. 1
... this did they easily endure to lay hold on the Gentiles, until they received the
teaching of the Spirit; because hence arose no small stumblingblock for the ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxx john xvii 1.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

The Mystery of the Cross. A Good Friday Sermon.
... the story which the Gospel tells, and still less in the explanation which the Epistle
gives; who have, as St Paul says, stumbled at the stumblingblock of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon i the mystery of.htm

'Love Buildeth Up'
... we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.9. But take
heed, lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/love buildeth up.htm

The Limits of Liberty
... Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no
man put a stumblingblock, or an occasion to fall, in his brother's way.14. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the limits of liberty.htm

January 15 Evening
... judge one another . . . but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock
or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. Rom.14:1.--Rom.4:20.Matt.14:31. ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/january 15 evening.htm

December 11 Morning
... not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."Take heed
lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/december 11 morning.htm

November 27 Evening
... not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."Take heed
lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/november 27 evening.htm

May 2 Evening
... Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart and put the stumblingblock
of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/may 2 evening.htm

Stumblingblock (14 Occurrences)
... put a stumblingblock (mikhshol) before the blind" (compare Jeremiah 6:21). ... George
Rice Hovey. Multi-Version Concordance Stumblingblock (14 Occurrences). ...
/s/stumblingblock.htm - 13k

Stumbling-block (20 Occurrences)
Stumbling-block. Stumblingblock, Stumbling-block. Stumblingblocks . ... put a
stumblingblock (mikhshol) before the blind" (compare Jeremiah 6:21). ...
/s/stumbling-block.htm - 15k

Stumbling (51 Occurrences)
... Return ye, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so shall they not
be a stumblingblock of iniquity unto you. (Root in JPS YLT NAS). ...
/s/stumbling.htm - 21k

Your's (6 Occurrences)
... KJV). 1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's
become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. (KJV). ...
/y/your's.htm - 8k

Nicolaitans (2 Occurrences)
... Their doctrine was similar to that of Balaam, "who taught Balak to cast a
stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, ...
/n/nicolaitans.htm - 10k

Recompence (28 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Romans 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap,
and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: (KJV). ...
/r/recompence.htm - 14k

Recompense (79 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Romans 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap,
And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: (ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/r/recompense.htm - 30k

Ruin (135 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version margin correctly renders mikhshol in Ezekiel 18:30 "stumblingblock"
(the King James Version "ruin"), and the Revised Version (British and ...
/r/ruin.htm - 37k

Enquired (12 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put
the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired ...
/e/enquired.htm - 10k

Balac (1 Occurrence)
... 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold
the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the ...
/b/balac.htm - 7k

What does it mean to be a stumbling block to someone else? | GotQuestions.org

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