The term "stumbling-stone" is a metaphorical expression found in the Bible, primarily in the New Testament, and is used to describe an obstacle or hindrance that causes people to fall or fail in their spiritual journey. This concept is deeply rooted in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament and is further developed in the teachings of the New Testament, particularly in relation to Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Background

The imagery of a stumbling-stone originates in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with God's judgment and the consequences of disobedience. In Isaiah 8:14, the prophet speaks of the Lord as a sanctuary, but also as "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both houses of Israel." This dual imagery highlights the idea that while God is a refuge for those who trust in Him, He is also a cause of stumbling for those who reject His ways.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter both draw on this Old Testament imagery to explain the role of Jesus Christ in God's redemptive plan. In Romans 9:32-33, Paul writes, "They stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written: 'See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.'" Here, Paul identifies Jesus as the stumbling-stone, emphasizing that faith in Him is the key to salvation, while rejection leads to spiritual downfall.

Similarly, in 1 Peter 2:7-8, Peter echoes this theme: "To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and, 'A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.'" Peter underscores the dual nature of Christ as both the cornerstone of faith for believers and a stumbling-stone for those who reject Him.

Theological Significance

The concept of the stumbling-stone is significant in Christian theology as it underscores the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. It highlights the paradox that the very foundation of salvation for believers is also a point of contention and rejection for others. This theme is central to the understanding of the Gospel message, which calls individuals to make a decisive response to Christ.

The stumbling-stone metaphor also serves as a warning against self-righteousness and reliance on works for salvation. In Romans 9:30-32, Paul contrasts the Gentiles, who attained righteousness through faith, with Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness but did not attain it because they sought it "not by faith but as if it were by works." This passage illustrates the danger of missing the true path to righteousness by stumbling over the simplicity and sufficiency of faith in Christ.

Practical Implications

For believers, the concept of the stumbling-stone serves as a reminder to remain steadfast in faith and to recognize the centrality of Christ in all aspects of life. It encourages Christians to examine their own hearts and to ensure that they are not placing obstacles in their own spiritual paths or in the paths of others.

Moreover, the stumbling-stone metaphor challenges the Church to present the Gospel clearly and compassionately, understanding that while the message of Christ may be a stumbling block to some, it is also the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).(n.) A stumbling-block.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

3037. lithos -- a stone
... stone, millstone. Apparently a primary word; a stone (literally or figuratively) --
(mill-, stumbling-)stone. (lithoi) -- 4 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3037.htm - 6k

Preface
... Fors Clavigera!"to the ignorant a stumbling-stone, to the Philistines a
laughing-stock, but to the Initiate a sweet remembrance of many a happy hour passed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ruskin/saint ursula/preface.htm

Shall we Abandon Our Religion?
... They do not sympathize with Christ, so they leave the cross out; in fact they do
not like to talk about it. "It is their stumbling stone; the rock of their ...
/.../shall we abandon our religion.htm

Concerning the Passion of Christ, and Its Old Testament ...
... passion itself should be figuratively set forth in predictions; and the more incredible
(that mystery), the more likely to be "a stumbling-stone," [1324] if it ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter x concerning the passion of.htm

God his Own Interpreter.
... both the prophecies concerning Christ, and the history of his life, his sacrificial
death and resurrection, they will be rid of that stumbling stone which they ...
/.../x god his own interpreter.htm

Stumbling-Stones, or Stepping-Stones?
... If we approach a conflict or trial with fear and trembling and shrinking, it will
very likely prove a stumbling-stone to us; but if we approach it with calm ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-seven stumbling-stones or stepping-stones.htm

That Christ Also is Called a Stone.
... Footnotes: [4039] Isaiah 28:16. [See Tertull., "stumbling-stone," vol. iii.[p. 165.].
[4040] Psalm 118:21-26. [4041] Zechariah 3:8, 9. [4042] Deuteronomy 27:8. ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/16 that christ also is.htm

That Deep Things Ought not to be Preached at all to Weak Souls.
... the brutish hearts of his hearers, he is adjudged as liable to penalty, if through
his words a soul, whether clean or unclean, be caught on a stumbling-stone. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxix that deep things.htm

Righteousness is the Gift of God.
... "For it is God which worketh in us both to will and to do of His own good pleasure."
[981] And hereby "they stumbled at the stumbling-stone." [982] For what he ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 50 xxix righteousness is the.htm

The Stone of Stumbling
... of his hope, the rock on which, steadfast and serene, he should build up a
temple-home for his soul to dwell in,"makes Him a stumbling-stone against which ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the stone of stumbling.htm

Of the Trinity and a Christian
... the second person in the Godhead: for the Father is ever acknowledged by all that
profess the least of religion; but the Son is that stumbling-stone and rock ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/miscellaneous pieces/of the trinity and a.htm

Stumblingstone (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia STUMBLING-BLOCK; STUMBLING-STONE. ... Multi-Version
Concordance Stumblingstone (2 Occurrences). Romans 9:32 Wherefore? ...
/s/stumblingstone.htm - 9k

Stumbling-stone (3 Occurrences)
Stumbling-stone. Stumblingstone, Stumbling-stone. Stump . Noah Webster's
Dictionary ... (YLT). Stumblingstone, Stumbling-stone. Stump . Reference Bible.
/s/stumbling-stone.htm - 9k

Stumbling (51 Occurrences)
... Because they didn't seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled
over the stumblingstone; (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/stumbling.htm - 21k

Stump (7 Occurrences)

/s/stump.htm - 10k

Offence (27 Occurrences)
... 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock ... we judge one
another, but this judge ye rather, not to put a stumbling-stone before the ...
/o/offence.htm - 25k

Offense (44 Occurrences)
... Romans 9:33 even as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and
a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed." (WEB ...
/o/offense.htm - 18k

Trusts (35 Occurrences)
... Romans 9:33 even as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and
a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed." (See ...
/t/trusts.htm - 15k

Disappointed (69 Occurrences)
... Romans 9:33 even as it is written, "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and
a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed." (WEB ...
/d/disappointed.htm - 26k

Principle (32 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Romans 9:32 Wherefore? Because it was not on the principle of faith, but
as of works. They have stumbled at the stumblingstone, (DBY). ...
/p/principle.htm - 16k

Based (40 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Romans 9:32 Why? Because they didn't seek it by faith, but as it were
by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumblingstone; (See RSV). ...
/b/based.htm - 17k

Why is Jesus called the stumbling stone in Matthew 21:43-44? | GotQuestions.org

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

What does it mean that we are not to cause others to stumble? | GotQuestions.org

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