Romans 9:33

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καθὼς
G2531
As
just (or inasmuch) as, that
#2
γέγραπται
G1125
it is written
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
#3
Ἰδού,
G2400
Behold
used as imperative lo!
#4
τίθημι
G5087
I lay
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
#5
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#6
Σιὼν
G4622
Sion
sion (i.e., tsijon), a hill of jerusalem; figuratively, the church (militant or triumphant)
#7
λίθον
G3037
a stumblingstone
a stone (literally or figuratively)
#8
προσκόμματος
G4348
a stub, i.e., (figuratively) occasion of apostasy
#9
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#10
πέτραν
G4073
rock
a (mass of) rock (literally or figuratively)
#11
σκανδάλου
G4625
of offence
a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e., snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin)
#12
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#13
πᾶς
G3956
whosoever
all, any, every, the whole
#14
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
πιστεύων
G4100
believeth
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
#16
ἐπ'
G1909
on
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#17
αὐτῷ
G846
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#18
οὐ
G3756
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#19
καταισχυνθήσεται
G2617
be ashamed
to shame down, i.e., disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush

Analysis

The faith and obedience theme here intersects with the proper human response to divine revelation across Scripture. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Hellenistic epistolary literature with sophisticated theological argumentation shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of faith and obedience within the theological tradition of Romans Understanding a worldview shaped by both Jewish monotheism and Greco-Roman philosophical thought helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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