In the Bible, the Greek term for “offending” often comes from the word “skandalon,” which refers to a stumbling block or trap that causes someone to fall into sin or temptation. It signifies actions or behaviors that lead others away from righteousness or cause them to sin.
Scripture
6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!
8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.
9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
Greek Definition of “Offending” in the Bible
In the biblical context, the Greek term “skandalon” applies not only to the act of causing someone to stumble in their faith but also to the responsibility that believers have toward one another in their interactions and behaviors. In Matthew 18:6-7, Jesus warns, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” This highlights the gravity of leading others astray, as it speaks to the intrinsic value of every believer’s faith journey and the serious implications of our actions on the spiritual lives of others.
Furthermore, the notion of “offending” encompasses a broader ethical and moral responsibility within the Christian community. In 1 Corinthians 8:9, Paul cautions, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” Here, “offending” is presented in the context of how personal freedoms and choices can affect the faith and spiritual health of others. This dual focus on personal conduct and communal impact serves as a reminder that every action carries the weight of influence; thus, believers are called to act with intentional care and love, ensuring that their lives do not inadvertently serve as a trap for others. Thus, the concept of offending transcends mere personal sin, encapsulating the broader responsibility of fostering a community that upholds and nurtures faith in Christ.
The Greek term “skandalon” serves as a pivotal concept in understanding the depth of interpersonal relationships within the Christian faith, reflecting a critical aspect of loving one’s neighbor. When examining the New Testament, we see an emphasis on the moral and ethical implications of leading others towards salvation or away from it. For example, the Apostle Paul elaborates on the consequences of one’s actions in Romans 14:13, advising believers to “stop passing judgment on one another” and instead to resolve not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. This admonition reinforces the notion that every believer must be vigilant not only about their behavior but also about how their liberty might impact the faith of others, especially those who are weaker in their understanding or conviction.
Moreover, the theme of offending and its implications permeates discussions about community and unity within the body of Christ. The concept extends to the idea of accountability, highlighting that Christians are not to live in isolation but within a communal framework where actions can resonate widely, either building up or tearing down faith. Galatians 5:13-15 provides insight into this dynamic by illustrating that, while believers have been called to freedom, they must avoid the temptation to indulge in their own desires in a manner that might cause harm to others. The call to love and serve one another speaks to a greater responsibility, whereby each individual is encouraged to consider their actions and words carefully, with a view to fostering unity and growth in the community. Thus, the Greek definition of “offending” transcends simple transgressions and delves into the ethical obligations of believers to cultivate an environment where faith can thrive.
Spiritual Consequences of Offending
In the biblical context, the Greek term for “offending” often relates to causing someone to stumble in their faith or leading them away from the path of righteousness. This can have significant spiritual consequences, as it emphasizes the responsibility believers have towards one another in maintaining a supportive and encouraging community. Offending in this sense can lead to spiritual harm, not only for the individual who is led astray but also for the one who causes the offense, highlighting the interconnectedness of the faith community.
Moral Responsibility and Accountability
The concept of offending also carries implications of moral responsibility and accountability within the Christian life. It suggests that individuals are called to be mindful of their actions and how they may impact others. This understanding encourages believers to act with integrity and love, ensuring that their behavior aligns with the teachings of Christ. The idea of offending thus serves as a reminder of the ethical dimensions of faith, urging believers to consider the broader implications of their choices on the community and their witness to the world.
The Call to Forgiveness and Restoration
Another broader meaning of offending in the biblical context is the call to forgiveness and restoration. When offenses occur, whether intentional or unintentional, the scriptures emphasize the importance of reconciliation and healing. This aspect highlights the transformative power of grace and the necessity of seeking forgiveness, both from God and from one another. The process of addressing offenses can lead to deeper relationships and a more profound understanding of God’s love and mercy, reinforcing the idea that while offenses may occur, there is always an opportunity for redemption and growth.
How to Overcome Sin and Strengthen Your Faith
Overcoming sin and strengthening your faith is a journey that requires both humility and perseverance. Start by acknowledging your weaknesses and bringing them before God in prayer; He is always ready to offer grace and forgiveness. Surround yourself with a supportive community—fellow believers can encourage you and hold you accountable. Dive into Scripture daily, allowing the Word to transform your heart and mind; verses like 1 Corinthians 10:13 remind us that we are not alone in our struggles. Additionally, practice gratitude and worship, as these acts can shift your focus from temptation to the goodness of God. Remember, it’s not about perfection but progress; every step you take towards Him is a step away from sin. Embrace the journey, and trust that with each challenge, your faith will grow stronger.
Bible References to “Offending” in Scripture:
Matthew 5:29-30: 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Mark 9:42-48: 42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”
43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
44 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.
46 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,
48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
Luke 17:1-4: 1 And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!
2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.
3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,
4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Romans 14:13-21: 13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.
16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.
21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
1 Corinthians 8:9-13: 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?
11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.
12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
2 Corinthians 6:3-10: 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,
4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;
6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;
7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;
8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;
9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
James 3:2-12: 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
1 John 2:10-11: 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.