What Does Romans 9:33 Mean in the King James?
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The stone that trips the stride and snares the path is also the one on whom trust can rest without shame.
THE MEANING
The one set in Zion meets you now as a disruptive stone and a rock of entanglement; the verse does not hide the collision. Yet the one who entrusts their weight to him does not end in disgrace.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie this dissolves is that if this stone makes you stumble or offends your expectations, it cannot also be a foundation for trust.
THE ROOT
πιστεύων
pisteuōn
GROWS FROM
πιστ-
pist-
Firmness, reliability, and trusting reliance.
“believeth” in this verse is pisteuōn. The Greek πιστ- (pist-, trust and firmness) joins trusting with reliable footing: belief here is reliance that can bear weight. Isaiah 28:16 expresses the corresponding trust with הַמַּאֲמִין (hammaʾamin, the one who trusts), from אָמַן (ʾāman, be firm or steady).
ALSO GROWS
pístis: Trust; reliance.
πίστις
This noun names the trust enacted by the person who believes on him.
pistós: Firm, steady; reliable.
πιστός
The word family joins trusting with what can be relied on.
pisteuō: Trust; lean your full weight on.
πιστεύω
This verb describes reliance on a person, not merely agreement with an idea.
σκανδάλου
skandálou
GROWS FROM
σκανδαλ-
skandal-
A snare, trap, or cause of stumbling.
The Greek word behind “offence” carries the image of a snare or trip, not simply hurt feelings. Paired with the stumbling stone, it describes a collision that catches and diverts the stride.
ALSO GROWS
skándalon: A snare, trap, or cause of stumbling.
σκάνδαλον
This is the noun behind “offence”; it presents the rock as a point of entanglement.
skandalízō: To ensnare or cause to stumble.
σκανδαλίζω
This related verb names what the snare does: it catches someone and disrupts their way.
THE PATTERN
The same stone can expose a collision for one person and become sure footing for the one who trusts.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.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.THE THREAD
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.Isaiah 8:14 uses σκάνδαλον (skándalon, snare or cause of stumbling), the same Greek word family rendered “offence” here. It holds the two effects together: the same presence is a sanctuary and a snare.
This reading is from Selah Verse.
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