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.

As {G2531} it is written {G1125}, Behold {G2400}, I lay {G5087} in {G1722} Sion {G4622} a stumblingstone {G3037}{G4348} and {G2532} rock {G4073} of offence {G4625}: and {G2532} whosoever {G3956} believeth {G4100} on {G1909} him {G846} shall {G2617} not {G3756} be ashamed {G2617}.

As the Tanakh puts it,

“Look, I am laying in Tziyon
a stone that will make people stumble,
a rock that will trip them up.
But he who rests his trust on it
will not be humiliated.”

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.”

even as it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

Romans 9:33 KJV is a pivotal verse in Paul's discourse on God's sovereignty and His plan for Israel and the Gentiles. It quotes and synthesizes two Old Testament prophecies from Isaiah (Isaiah 8:14 and Isaiah 28:16), applying them directly to Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse concludes a section in Romans (chapters 9-11) where the Apostle Paul grapples with the difficult question of why the majority of Israel, God's chosen people, rejected Jesus as the Messiah, while many Gentiles embraced Him. Paul explains that Israel pursued righteousness through works of the law rather than by faith, thus missing the true path to salvation. The "stumblingstone and rock of offence" serves as an explanation for their spiritual blindness and ultimate rejection of Christ.

Key Themes

  • Christ as a Stumbling Block: For those who sought salvation through legalistic adherence or national privilege, Jesus Christ became an obstacle. The phrase "stumblingstone" (Greek: proskomma) and "rock of offence" (Greek: skandalon) describe something that causes one to trip or fall. To the Jews of Paul's day, a Messiah who died on a cross was scandalous, leading many to reject Him (see 1 Corinthians 1:23).
  • Salvation by Faith: In stark contrast to those who stumble, the verse clearly states, "whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." This emphasizes that salvation and true righteousness are attained through faith in Christ, not by human effort or lineage. This aligns with Paul's overarching theme of justification by faith throughout Romans.
  • Divine Purpose: The phrase "Behold, I lay in Sion" highlights that this "stumblingstone" was not an accident but part of God's sovereign plan. God Himself ordained that Christ would be both the cornerstone for believers and a stone of stumbling for unbelievers, fulfilling ancient prophecies (as also seen in 1 Peter 2:8).
  • Security and Confidence: The promise "shall not be ashamed" assures believers of ultimate vindication and confidence. Those who trust in Christ will not be disappointed or put to shame, especially in the day of judgment, but will find eternal security and glory.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's "stumblingstone and rock of offence" accurately translates the Greek terms that convey the idea of an obstacle or trap. The original Hebrew concepts behind Isaiah's prophecies similarly depicted a testing stone. The word "believeth" (Greek: pisteuō) denotes a deep, active trust and reliance, not merely intellectual assent. "Shall not be ashamed" (Greek: kataischynō) conveys the idea of not being disgraced, confounded, or disappointed, especially when one's hope is realized or tested.

Practical Application

Romans 9:33 challenges us to examine our own relationship with Jesus Christ. Is He the solid foundation of our faith and hope, or do we find Him to be a "stumblingstone" because we rely on our own efforts, achievements, or traditions for salvation? The verse serves as a powerful reminder that true salvation comes only through genuine faith in Him. For those who believe, there is no shame, no disappointment, but rather eternal confidence and assurance in God's perfect plan.

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 28:16

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

  • Romans 10:11

    For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

  • Joel 2:26

    And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

  • Joel 2:27

    And ye shall know that I [am] in the midst of Israel, and [that] I [am] the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 8:15

    And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

  • 1 Peter 2:6

    Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

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