Christian Cyclopedia

In the Biblical sense, anything whereby one is led to sin or error or whereby he is encouraged to continue therein. The Gk. word skandalon, of which “offense” is a tr., is used to designate the trigger stick of a trap; a trap, snare, or impediment put in the way to cause one to stumble or fall; stumbling block. The seriousness of giving offense is evident from the fact that offense is an obstacle placed in the way of one's salvation (1 Co 8:11; Ro 14:15). Christ and the Gospel are an offense to some (cf., e.g., Mt 11:6; 13:57; 15:12; 17:27; Jn 6:61; Ro 9:33; 1 Co 1:23; Gl 5:11; 1 Ptr 2:8). A Christian's conduct may be an offense to some (cf., e.g., Ro 14:13–15, 19–21).

Offense is given by uncharitable use of Christian liberty, without consideration for the weak (see Adiaphora), and by unchristian life (Mt. 18:6; Ro 2:23–24). Offense may be unjustly taken on basis of a prejudiced, loveless judgment of a Christian's actions or words.

A Christian must give offense when avoiding offense would involve denial or yielding of a truth of God's Word (Gl 2:11–14). RGL