What does the Bible say about offence?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that offense is both a tragic reality in a fallen world and a spiritual danger when people reject Christ or cause others to stumble. Jesus warns in Matthew 18:7 that offenses will come, yet God judges those who lead others into sin. Believers should therefore seek to give no unnecessary offense, as 1 Corinthians 10:32 and 2 Corinthians 6:3 teach, living carefully for the good of Jews, Gentiles, and the church. Yet faithfulness to Christ will sometimes provoke hostility: Isaiah 53:1-3 foretells the despised Servant, and Romans 9:33 calls Christ the stone over which unbelief stumbles. We must not be ashamed of him, but trust him and walk in humble love.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Occasions of, must arrive Matthew 18:7
- Occasions of, forbidden 1 Corinthians 10:32; 2 Corinthians 6:3
- Persecution, a cause of, to mere professors Matthew 13:21; Matthew 24:10; Matthew 26:31
- The wicked take, at
- The low station of Christ Isaiah 53:1-3; Matthew 13:54-57
- Christ, as the corner-stone Isaiah 8:14; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8
- Christ, as the bread of life John 6:58-61
- Christ crucified 1 Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 5:11
- The righteousness of faith Romans 9:32
- The necessity of inward purity Matthew 15:11; Matthew 15:12
- Blessedness of not taking, at Christ Matthew 11:6
- Saints warned against taking John 16:1
- Saints should
- Be without Philippians 1:10
- Be cautious of giving Psalms 73:15; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9
- Have a conscience void of Acts 24:16
- Cut off what causes, to themselves Matthew 5:29; Matthew 5:30; Mark 9:43-47
- Not let their liberty occasion, to others 1 Corinthians 8:9
- Use self-denial rather than occasion Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 8:13
- Avoid those who cause Romans 16:17
- Reprove those who cause Exodus 32:21; 1 Samuel 2:24
- Ministers should
- Be cautious of giving 2 Corinthians 6:3
- Remove that which causes Isaiah 57:14
- All things that cause, shall be gathered out of Christ’s kingdom Matthew 13:41
- Denunciation against those who cause Matthew 18:7; Mark 9:42
- Punishment for occasioning Ezekiel 44:12; Malachi 2:8; Malachi 2:9; Matthew 18:6; Matthew 18:7
- Exemplified
- Aaron Exodus 32:2-6
- Balaam, &c Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14
- Gideon Judges 8:27
- Sons of Eli 1 Samuel 2:12-17
- Jeroboam 1 Kings 12:26-30
- Old prophet 1 Kings 13:18-26
- Priests Malachi 2:8
- Peter Matthew 16:23
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