5186 stumbling

Faltering or falling in the course of running or walking. The term is also used metaphorically to refer to failure, hesitation or difficulty.

Physical stumbling

Lev 19:14 Through fear: Lev 26:37; Isa 21:4
Isa 28:7 through drunkenness In battle: Na 2:5; Na 3:3

God protects his people from stumbling

Ps 56:13 See also 1Sa 2:4; Job 4:4; Ps 37:24; Ps 116:8

The enemies of God’s people will stumble

Jer 20:11 See also Ps 9:3; Ps 27:2

God’s people will stumble if they sin

Isa 8:14; Jer 13:16

Avoiding stumbling by keeping God’s law

Ps 119:165 See also Pr 3:23,26; Pr 4:11-12; Isa 26:7-8; Isa 40:30-31

The wicked stumble because they reject God’s way

Pr 4:19; Hos 14:9

Causes of stumbling

Dishonesty Isa 59:14

Arrogance Jer 50:32; Hos 5:5

False teaching by religious leaders Hos 4:5; Mal 2:8

Idolatry Jer 18:15

Trust in riches Eze 7:19

Trust in secular political alliances Isa 31:3

Stumbling as a consequence of sin and divine judgment

Making one’s own stumbling-block Eze 14:3-4,7

Stumbling over obstacles sent by God Jer 6:21; Jer 13:16; Eze 3:20

Some stumbling is educative or disciplinary Da 11:35; Ro 9:32-33

Jesus Christ as the light that prevents believers from stumbling

Jn 9:5; Jn 11:9-10

Jesus Christ as a stumbling-block for unbelievers

1Co 1:23 See also 1Pe 2:8

Stumbling and sin

All sin and stumble Jas 2:10; Jas 3:2

None should feel superior to others Pr 24:17; 1Co 10:12

None should cause others to stumble Ro 14:20; 1Co 10:32

See also