Offenses

“Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” Mat18.7.

Sometime, somehow, and somewhere, we are going to offend someone or be offended by someone.

There is a time to offend and a time not to, and there is a time to be offended and a time not to be offended.

The English dictionary says “offense” is something that causes a person to be hurt, angry, or upset; something that is wrong or improper.”

I would add that it is that which is objectionable or insulting.

The Greek words translated “offense” are to be understood metaphorically as a cause of or results in prejudice or a hindrance, resulting in failure.

The above text indicates this by the warning.

In the above reference, the Greek word is Skandalon, which means “trap,” which Vine says is always used metaphorically.

(A trap is “something by which one is caught or stopped unawares, also a position or situation from which it is difficult or impossible to escape.”)

Vine says “Skandalon is ways used metaphorically and ordinarily of anything that arouses prejudice, or becomes a hindrance to others, or causes them to fall by the way. 

Skandalon speaks of an offense as the source of that which traps one in something that causes prejudice or failure or sin.

Another Greek word, Proskopos, means to “to strike or stub.”  Like Skandalon, it is metaphorically understood and translated “offense,” also “stumble.”

Another Greek word “Proskomma” which means “an obstacle (against which one may stub their foot)” is translated “stumbling block” which also speaks of cause as in Rom 14.13 to “not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall (Skandalon) in our brother’s way.”

(There is the Greek word “paraptoma” meaning side slip or lapse that is translated “offense” such as in Romans 5 for the sin of Adam.)

The first 3 Greek words speak of a source of failure and possibly the difficulty to escape or recover.

The noun form such as with skandalon signifies the offense as the source of failure, while the verb signifies the effect, being failure.  

Matthew (18.6,8)  sets forth the seriousness of offenses. 

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.”

The word “sin” is “skandalizo,” translated “offend” or “stumble” in other translations.  The offense is the verb “Skandalizo”  and speaks of the effect, being failure or sin.

If a believing child is to fail in their belief in God, because of you, it would be better you be drowned without hope of escape. 

Or if you are committing sin, associated with a body part,  that keeps you from the truth and being saved, it would be better to remove it—pluck it out or cut it off!

We are not to be the cause of  failure.

It may be that our own conscience could be a cause of failure as seen in the use of “aprokopos,” the negative form, in Acts. 24:16:  “I always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.”

Obviously, God is not going to stumble (fail), nor even people because of my conscience.  It could just speak of that which is improper, but the word seems to speak of failure and as a cause for it.

So here, the word is used for a conscience without thoughts towards God and towards people which could be setting yourself up for failure, as in doubt towards God and an indifference about people.

Paul was saying what he believed and did was sincere and in confidence what God’s word said.  

“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.” Acts 24:14

Aprokopos is also used in First  Corinthians (10.32):  “ Give no offense to either Jew, Greek, or the church.”

Here it could mean you should not be a cause of failure to others.

And in Philippians (1:10):   “Approve the things that are excellent, that you be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.”

Mat 16:23:  “But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense (Skandalon) to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Peter took the place from disciple to one who stood between Jesus and his divine appointment to suffer. Satan sought to use Peter to dissuade Jesus from the will of God. (Lenski)

We need to be careful to discern what is Gods will from the world’s viewpoint, and not dissuade or distract believers from doing the former.  Such could be a trap so to speak that hinders them from what they should do.

Mat 24.10:  “Many shall be offended…”. This, using the verb, “skadalizo,” speaks of failure.  This looks to the falling away in the last days due to tribulation.  The failure of believers will manifest itself in betrayal and hatred, which in itself will cause failure.  This is why maturity and careful walk are so important. 

Believers should be careful not to be the cause of offense, unless it is a result of doing or saying the truth. 

But our conduct should be such it doesn’t cause offense.  Also, we should not be easily offended.  This also includes the effect of hard, evil times—for such times will come, and how people act, will cause others to fail.

Believers should be forgiving, willing to overlook, and not easily trapped by the offense into a loss of control where they respond in an unbecoming way.  Too many Christians don't go to church because they were offended, and they are now trapped in an anti church mindset.

Is an Offense always a bad thing?

Keep in mind that by offense, not merely is something improper or objectionable, but that which may hinder or be an occasion of failure, especially in another concerning spiritual things.

Vine says in his dictionary “Sometimes the hindrance is a good thing and those who fall are wicked.”

The truth spoken can be an offense to another, a source of failure (“stumbling’ is the metaphor used). 

The question was asked on Facebook if young earth creationism is dangerous.  I thought the word “offense” should be used.  It surely could be an offense to the 99.9 % of scientists who are evolutionists.

Believers need to discern the motive behind their offense and to use tact as well.  Some seek to offend to “get even,” or because they dislike the person offended, or they are being reckless.

We are to speak the truth in love:  “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—.” Eph 4.15

The message of the cross is itself called an offense, Skandalon” to the Jews.

“but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block (Skandalon) and to the Greeks foolishness.” 1 Cor 1.22-24

The message of the cross was objectionable, a hindrance, trap, for those who trusted in their own righteousness by the Law before God and certainly the crucifixion of their Messiah itself went against their expectations. 

“And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense (Skandalon) of the cross has ceased.”  Gal 5.11

“The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”  John 12.34

“…For they stumbled (proskopto – verb) at that stumbling (Proskomma –noun) stone. As it is written:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling (Proskomma) stone and rock of offense (Skandalon),

And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 9.31-33

The nouns are the cause of stumbling, failure; the verb is the stumbling, failure.  They failed in their pursuit because they sought righteousness not by faith but works.  Christ was a cause of failure because his way of salvation was unacceptable to them.

Jesus offended people

Jesus confronts the Pharisees in Matthew 15.3-11 about their tradition and hypocrisy, then in verse 11 he says, “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”

“Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were *offended* (Skandalizo) when they heard this saying?” Mat 15.12

They were offended in that Jesus’ words caused them to be prejudiced against him.

The truth offends those who may be contrary to the truth.

The truth can bring out the worse in people who are contrary to it.  It can be polarizing.  If responding negatively to it, it can lead to failure, sin.

“What was so intolerable to these self appointed leaders of the people was the fact Jesus took this leadership from them and taught people the direct opposite of what they have taught.” Lenski

They took cleanliness seriously. But it was according to their tradition, which made them appear devoted to God and righteous, and yet did not value keeping the Law of God which had true authority.  (Tradition had authority over Scripture if there was conflict.)

It's like thinking if I follow this religious tradition, I'm devoted and right before God, even though I disregard doing what God wants from me—acting as I desire …

and I'm offended when someone speaks the truth that questions long held tradition by great people and institutions.

The offense is not just being outraged but hindered emotionally.

The Pharisees were concerned about eating with unwashed hands after a prescribed method, and yet used tradition to not keep the word of God concerning the care of parents,  placing their teaching above God’s word. 

(The word “defile” is translated “common” in Acts 10.)

Jesus is using a contrast to point this out, not caring  it offends—the latter transgression defiles you.  We may be breaking your  tradition, but you break the law of God.  True defilement is a heart issue, not merely a physical issue.

They should be as concerned about what comes out of their mouths, their teaching, as what goes in, especially because what comes out reveals the heart—their selfishness, and the acting out of the heart brings judgment before God.

 (This is why we should judge our thoughts before we act, 2 Cor 10.4-6).

Jesus uses Offensive titles

But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs.” Mat 15.21-28

This account is quite a contrast to the previous one.  The Jewish leaders were offended, but a gentile woman, though called a “little dog” was not. 

The word “offend” is not used, but the use of the words “little dogs” for a gentile woman may be offensive, though “little” indicates a puppy; Lenski says a house pet as opposed to a stray dog, claiming a difference.  The woman responded in a humble way using the same analogy and not claiming any right, only asking help,  “for even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the masters’ table.”

This woman had learned from the Jews about the Messianic hope, and she knew and believed  who Jesus was, and was not deterred, because of faith and humility.  This is how we should be towards the truth.  Jesus commended her for her faith.

Clement, from the second century called her Justa and the demon possessed daughter Berenice.

Jesus could do this because of the culture and his objective.   I would have to be much more cautious about this kind of approach today.  I'm not sure I can think of similar type setting today.  Also, Jesus’ primary mission was to Israel and making disciples, whose mission would be to the Gentiles.  Jesus had a limited time and focus of ministry.

This is an example of humility and submission to the truth.

Jesus offends his disciples

John 6.61 “Does this offend (Skandalizo) you?”

“When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?” Jn6.61 (read 51-66)

It's one thing to follow moral teaching, but these claims were inconceivable—eternal life through eating this man’s flesh and blood.  It was offensive, but why?  Is it they understood but could not accept the implication?   His death being the cause of stumbling—and maybe believing as the means of eternal life.  Earlier, he said eternal life was through believing in him, vs 47.

I believe Jesus did this to weed them out, to manifest motives and hypocrisy—not a true godliness, though a form of it.

I think Jesus purposely said offensive things to certain people to be polarizing.

Christ offended for spiritual reasons.

Jesus was weeding them out.  If they really believed in him, they would continue with him even though they don't understand what he said.

We should not be a cause of offense or failure, nor should we be so easily offended.  We should seek to be sincere in beliefs and actions, careful to speak the truth in love.