1 Peter 2 8

1 Peter 2:8 kjv

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.

1 Peter 2:8 nkjv

and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

1 Peter 2:8 niv

and, "A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message?which is also what they were destined for.

1 Peter 2:8 esv

and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

1 Peter 2:8 nlt

And, "He is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they do not obey God's word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

1 Peter 2 verses

1 Peter 2 8 Meaning

1 Peter 2:8 proclaims that while Jesus Christ is a precious cornerstone for those who believe, He serves as a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" for those who do not. These individuals spiritually stumble and are alienated by Him not because of any inherent flaw in Christ, but because of their active disobedience and unbelief toward the Gospel message. This outcome, though a result of their free rejection, ultimately aligns with God's sovereign plan and His determined consequences for those who reject His Son.

1 Peter 2 8 Context

1 Peter chapter 2 focuses on the new identity of believers as a spiritual household built on Jesus Christ. Verses 1-3 emphasize their spiritual growth nourished by the "pure spiritual milk." Verses 4-5 introduce Christ as the "living Stone" and believers as "living stones" being built into a "spiritual house," a holy priesthood. The immediate context of verse 8 (verses 6-7) cites Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 28:16 and Psalm 118:22) establishing Christ as the divinely chosen, precious cornerstone who brings honor to those who believe. Verse 8 then presents the stark contrast: for those who do not believe, this same Christ becomes a destructive obstacle.

Peter's letter was written to scattered believers facing suffering and persecution in Asia Minor. He uses established Jewish messianic prophecies, already foundational to early Christian teaching, to explain both Christ's central importance to believers and the predictable rejection He experiences from others. This theological framework helped the struggling believers understand their spiritual position and the spiritual reasons behind the world's antagonism towards Christ and His followers. It directly addresses the "stumbling block" that Christ's nature and message posed to those of contemporary Jewish and pagan beliefs, clarifying that this reaction was anticipated by Scripture and not a sign of divine failure.

1 Peter 2 8 Word analysis

• and (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction connecting this contrasting point to the previous one about Christ being precious to believers. It introduces the opposing effect of Christ for others.
• "A stone" (λίθος - lithos): Refers to a stone, literally a rock or mineral. Here, metaphorically representing Christ as a solid, substantial, and foundational object.
• "of stumbling" (προσκόμματος - proskommatos): From proskomma, meaning an obstacle, something struck against, leading to a fall. It denotes a moral or spiritual downfall caused by an object of opposition.
• "and a rock" (πέτρα - petra): Signifies a large mass of rock, bedrock, or cliff. Emphasizes the immovable, substantial, and formidable nature of Christ.
• "of offense" (σκανδάλου - skandalou): From skandalon, meaning a snare, trap, or a stumbling block that causes moral or spiritual ruin. In a broader sense, it refers to something that incites resentment, disgust, or causes one to abandon faith.
• They stumble (οἳ προσκόπτουσιν - hoi proskoptousin): "Who stumble." The active voice signifies their own agency and responsibility in striking against Christ. Their fall is a consequence of their interaction with Him.
• "because they disobey" (ἀπειθοῦντες - apeithountes): A present active participle meaning "being disobedient" or "being unbelieving." This is the core reason for their stumbling. It describes a continual refusal to be persuaded, leading to active non-compliance with the truth. This points to a hardening of heart and will against the Gospel.
• "the word" (τῷ λόγῳ - tō logō): Refers to the divine message, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which requires a response of faith and obedience. It is the revealed truth about salvation.
• "as is their destiny" / "to which they were appointed" (εἰς ὃ ἐτέθησαν - eis ho etethēsan): "They were appointed for this." The verb etethēsan is a passive form, indicating a divine arrangement or outcome. This does not mean God forces them to disobey, but rather that in His sovereign plan and justice, this outcome (stumbling and the resulting judgment) is fitting for those who persist in disobedience to the word. It underscores God's control even over the negative responses to the Gospel.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense": This dual Old Testament metaphor (drawing from Isa 8:14) powerfully describes Christ as both a test and an obstacle for those who reject Him. He is a formidable, immovable presence that cannot be ignored; He compels a reaction, which, if not belief, becomes resistance and eventual downfall. This image emphasizes the inescapable truth and challenging nature of Christ to worldly wisdom and self-reliance.
• "They stumble because they disobey the word": This phrase precisely identifies human agency as the immediate cause of their spiritual ruin. The fault is not with the "stone" (Christ) but with the disobedient heart that rejects His divine message. It clarifies that their negative outcome is a direct consequence of their active choice of unbelief and resistance to the Gospel.
• "as is their destiny" / "to which they were appointed": This critical clause points to God's ultimate sovereignty. It means that the judicial outcome of persistent disobedience—stumbling and judgment—is part of God's righteous decree for such unfaithfulness. It frames their rejection and its consequences within God's predetermined will, affirming that His justice will prevail and that nothing, not even human rejection, can thwart His overall purpose.

1 Peter 2 8 Bonus section

• This verse encapsulates the "scandal of the Gospel," wherein the message of a crucified Messiah and salvation by grace alone proved offensive to many who sought worldly wisdom, self-righteousness, or a different kind of Messiah.
• The contrast drawn here between those who believe (finding honor) and those who disobey (stumbling) serves as a theological foundation for understanding why the Gospel divides humanity into two distinct groups, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating God's consistent plan.
• The Greek verb apeithountes (disobeying) inherently links unbelief with disobedience; often, the New Testament views an unwillingness to believe as an act of defiance against God's word and will.
• The passage, deeply rooted in Old Testament Scripture, highlights Peter's continuity with Israel's prophetic tradition, showing how Jesus fulfills these ancient prophecies, even in His rejection.

1 Peter 2 8 Commentary

1 Peter 2:8 is a succinct yet profound statement about the two-fold response to Christ. For those who embrace Him by faith, He is the precious foundation of their salvation and spiritual life. Conversely, for those who willfully refuse to believe, this same Christ becomes the insurmountable obstacle over which they spiritually trip and fall. Peter emphasizes that this "stumbling" is not an arbitrary act by Christ but a direct consequence of their "disobeying the word," which refers to the Gospel message itself. Their disbelief (unwillingness to be persuaded) directly leads to their disobedience (unwillingness to submit to truth). The phrase "as is their destiny" or "to which they were appointed" is not to imply that God predestined their specific sinful choice to disobey. Rather, it speaks to God's foreknowledge and sovereign appointment of the consequence or outcome of such persistent rejection. God, in His perfect justice, has determined that unbelief in Christ naturally leads to condemnation. Thus, their very act of rebellion, though self-chosen, falls within God's predetermined righteous judgment against those who resist His saving grace. The verse serves as a sober warning and a challenge for every person to examine their response to Jesus Christ.