1 Peter 2:8

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

And {G2532} a stone {G3037} of stumbling {G4348}, and {G2532} a rock {G4073} of offence {G4625}, even to them which {G3739} stumble {G4350} at the word {G3056}, being disobedient {G544}: whereunto {G1519}{G3739} also {G2532} they were appointed {G5087}.

also he is

a stone that will make people stumble,
a rock over which they will trip.

They are stumbling at the Word, disobeying it — as had been planned.

and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.

and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

1 Peter 2:8 (KJV) continues Peter's exposition on the nature of Christ and the differing responses to Him, building directly on the preceding verses. While Christ is the "chosen and precious cornerstone" for believers, He becomes "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence" for those who reject Him.

Context

This verse is part of a larger passage (1 Peter 2:4-10) where Peter uses rich Old Testament imagery to describe the spiritual house God is building. For those who come to Christ, He is the living stone, the very foundation of their faith and salvation. However, for others, Christ is presented as an obstacle, causing them to fall. This imagery is deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 8:14 and Psalm 118:22, which speak of a stone over which many would stumble, and a stone rejected by the builders. Peter applies these prophecies directly to Jesus Christ, highlighting the stark contrast between belief and unbelief. The audience, scattered believers enduring persecution, would have understood this distinction as a source of both comfort and clarification regarding the opposition they faced.

Key Themes

  • Christ as a Divider: Jesus is not merely a neutral figure; His very presence and message divide humanity. He is either the foundation for salvation or an insurmountable obstacle to those who refuse to believe. This aligns with Paul's teaching in Romans 9:33.
  • Disobedience as the Cause of Stumbling: The verse explicitly states that people stumble "at the word, being disobedient." Their rejection of Christ is not due to a flaw in Him, but to their willful refusal to obey the Gospel message. This emphasizes human responsibility in their spiritual condition.
  • Divine Appointment: The phrase "whereunto also they were appointed" speaks to God's sovereignty. This does not imply that God forces people to be disobedient, but rather that He, in His foreknowledge and divine plan, has appointed that those who are disobedient will indeed stumble and face the consequences of their rejection. Their disobedience leads them to the very position God has ordained for unbelievers.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Stone of stumbling" (σκανδάλου, skandalou) and "rock of offence" (προσκόμματος, proskommatos): These Greek terms refer to a trap, a snare, or an impediment that causes one to trip or fall. In a spiritual sense, they signify something that causes moral or spiritual ruin. Christ, for those who reject Him, becomes the very thing that reveals their hardened hearts and leads to their downfall.
  • "Disobedient" (ἀπειθοῦσιν, apeithousin): This word denotes not just a passive lack of belief, but an active refusal to be persuaded, a deliberate unwillingness to obey. It highlights the volitional aspect of their rejection of God's truth.
  • "Appointed" (ἐτέθησαν, etethesan): This is in the passive voice, meaning "they were placed" or "they were set." It indicates a divine arrangement or ordination. It's crucial to understand this within the context of God's justice and foreknowledge, not as a pre-determination of individuals to sin, but as a pre-ordained consequence for those who choose disobedience. This concept of divine appointment often ties into broader discussions of God's sovereignty and foreknowledge.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the critical importance of one's response to Jesus Christ. For those who choose to believe and obey, He is the firm foundation of salvation and eternal life. For those who refuse, He becomes the very cause of their spiritual ruin. It underscores the seriousness of rejecting God's Word and highlights that unbelief is not a neutral position but an act of disobedience with grave consequences. It calls believers to compassionately share the Gospel, knowing that people's eternal destiny hinges on their response to the "stone" of Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 8:14

    And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:23

    But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

  • Romans 9:32

    Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

  • Romans 9:33

    As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

  • 1 Peter 2:7

    Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

  • Romans 9:22

    [What] if God, willing to shew [his] wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

  • Jude 1:4

    For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

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