Stumbling Block
Stumbling block
(, mikshol, , which literally denote any object over which a person may trip the foot, and hence, figuratively, a cause of ruin or disgust; but , makshelah, is only used of a physical ruin [Isaiah 3, 6], or an idol [stumbling block, i.e. incitement to apostasy, Zep 1:6]; and [1Co 1:23; 1Jn 2:10; Rev 2:14; elsewhere offense] is properly the trap stick to which the bait is fastened in a snare). The roads in Eastern countries are, for the most part, nothing more than accustomed tracks, worn to something like a level by the passing of travelers and caravans. SEE ROAD. When rocks and stones are placed in these tracks, riders are exposed to great danger from the stumbling of the horses; and hence Isaiah (Isa 43:13), describing God’s glorious deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, says, He led them through the deep, as a horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble. Robbers and plundering hordes frequently placed huge stones and branches of trees across the roads, as stumbling blocks to check and perplex caravans, in order that they might attack them during the confusion which such impediments would necessarily create. Thus (Jer 6:21), Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people, and the father and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbor and his friend shall perish (see Hackett, Illust. of Script. p. 19, 22). SEE OFFENSE.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
STUMBLING BLOCK
In the figurative language of the Bible, a stumbling block is some kind of obstacle that either causes people to fall or hinders them in doing what they should. (In some older English versions the word is sometimes translated offence.)
The crucifixion of Jesus was a stumbling block to the Jews, because they would not believe that a person who died on a cross could be the Messiah sent by God. They expected the Messiah to be a mighty saviour who would rescue the nation Israel from its enemies and bring in an era of peace, joy and prosperity. A person who died on a cross, by contrast, was under the curse of God (Deu 21:23).
What the Jews did not understand was that when Jesus died on the cross, he bore Gods curse in the place of those who had broken Gods law. He did not die because of any wrong that he himself had committed (Gal 3:13).
The Jews refused to trust in Jesus death on the cross for their forgiveness, but tried instead to win Gods favour by their good deeds. As a result the cross of Christ was to them a stumbling block (Rom 9:32-33; 1Co 1:23; Gal 5:11; 1Pe 2:8). Jesus was always a stumbling block (offence) to those who had a wrong idea of his mission (Mat 11:6; Mat 15:12; Mat 16:23; Mar 6:3; Joh 6:61).
Something that causes a person to sin may also be called a stumbling block (Mar 9:42-43; Luk 17:1). Idolatry, for example, was a stumbling block to Jews of Old Testament times (Exo 23:33; Eze 7:19-20; Eze 14:3-4), and to some Christians of New Testament times. Through joining in idol feasts, these Christians were tempted to fall into idolatry and immorality (Rev 2:14).
Even if those who joined in idol feasts did not engage in idolatrous practices, others who followed them to the feasts may not have been able to resist the temptations to idolatry. Christians are therefore warned to be careful of their behaviour in everything they do. A bad example can be a stumbling block to those of weaker faith (Mat 17:27; Mat 18:6-8; Rom 14:13; 1Co 8:7-12; 2Co 6:3).
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Stumbling-Block
STUMBLING-BLOCK (Gr. skandalon; AV [Note: Authorized Version.] offence, occasion to fall, stumbling-block; RV [Note: Revised Version.] stumbling-block, thing that causes stumbling, occasion of stumbling).Properly the spring of a trap (cf. Rom 11:9); hence something that ensnares or trips up. The verb is skandatizein; AV [Note: Authorized Version.] offend, RV [Note: Revised Version.] cause to stumble.
David Smith.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Stumbling Block
mikshol, . Anything placed in the way of another over which he might stumble and fall. It was forbidden in the law, and such things were to be removed out of the way of Israel. Lev 19:14; Isa 57:14. Their iniquity, however, became a stumbling block to them. Eze 7:19; Eze 14:3-7. In the church there should be care that nothing is practised by one that might cause another to stumble. Rom 14:13; 1Co 8:9.
Jehovah of hosts was to be a sanctuary for the believing remnant, but He would be “for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel,” that is, He would become such through their unbelief in Jehovah’s intervention through the virgin’s child. Isa 8:14 (where the word is negeph, ‘the act of stumbling’). When the Lord was on earth He became this stone of stumbling to the Jews, and remains the same to them and to the house of Israel where, through disobedient unbelief, He is still rejected. Rom 9:32-33; 1Pe 2:8. Any who through grace receive the gospel become Christians and are merged in the church. In connection with the same, the word is employed: this is literally ‘the catch of a trap,’ which being touched ensnares. Rom 9:33 (offence); Rom 11:9; 1Co 1:23; 1Pe 2:8 (offence).
The same word is used for the snare that Balaam taught Balak to lay for the Israelites. Rev 2:14. It is also the word employed for the ‘offences,’ or snares, that must, by the nature of things, exist in the world for the feet of the saints. Mat 18:7; Luk 17:1; and in the remarkable instance when the Lord said to Peter, “Thou art an ‘offence’ unto me.” Mat 16:23.