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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσκόμματος
of stumbling
G4348
προσκόμματος
of stumbling
Strong's:
G4348
Word #:
3 of 15
a stub, i.e., (figuratively) occasion of apostasy
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σκανδάλου·
of offence
G4625
σκανδάλου·
of offence
Strong's:
G4625
Word #:
6 of 15
a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e., snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin)
ὃ
even to them which
G3739
ὃ
even to them which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
7 of 15
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
προσκόπτουσιν
stumble
G4350
προσκόπτουσιν
stumble
Strong's:
G4350
Word #:
8 of 15
to strike at, i.e., surge against (as water); specially, to stub on, i.e., trip up (literally or figuratively)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγῳ
at the word
G3056
λόγῳ
at the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
10 of 15
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ἀπειθοῦντες
being disobedient
G544
ἀπειθοῦντες
being disobedient
Strong's:
G544
Word #:
11 of 15
to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely)
εἰς
whereunto
G1519
εἰς
whereunto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
12 of 15
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὃ
even to them which
G3739
ὃ
even to them which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
13 of 15
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Isaiah 8:14And 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 1:23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;Romans 9:22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:1 Peter 2:7Unto 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,2 Peter 2:3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.Jude 1:4For 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.1 Thessalonians 5:9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,Luke 2:34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;2 Corinthians 2:16To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Historical Context
Isaiah 8:14 warned that God would become sanctuary for faithful but stumbling stone for rebels. Peter applies this to Christ—same person brings opposite effects depending on response. This demonstrates gospel's dual nature: savor of life to believers, stench of death to unbelievers (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). The Reformed doctrine of divine sovereignty appears in "appointed"—even judgment serves God's purposes. Early church recognized this sobering truth: Christ divides humanity into two groups—those who believe and are saved, those who disobey and perish.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that Christ is either foundation or stumbling stone (no neutral ground) clarify the urgency of the gospel?
- What comfort and warning does the doctrine that unbelievers are 'appointed' to judgment provide?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Peter identifies the second stone prophecy: "And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence" (kai lithos proskommatos kai petra skandalou), quoting Isaiah 8:14. Christ becomes obstacle causing unbelievers to trip and fall. The explanation: "even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient" (hoi proskouptousin tō logō apeithountes)—they stumble because they disobey the gospel message. The phrase "whereunto also they were appointed" (eis ho kai etethēsan) indicates divine appointment—God ordained that disobedience results in judgment. This doesn't mean God causes disobedience but that He determined disobedience's consequence. The stone that saves believers destroys unbelievers.