48. Rom_14:13 Stumbling-Blocks
Romans 14:13Stumbling-Blocks
Romans 14:13, “But judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall, in his brother’s way.” Two words demand examination.
1. Proskomma, which Donnegan renders, “Stumble, a trip or false step, an obstacle, an impediment; in general, a hindrance”—New Testament Lexicon. Metaphorically, “stumbling-block, an occasion of sinning, means of inducing to sin”—Romans 14:13 and 1 Corinthians 8:9.
2. Skandalon. Donnegan, “Cause of offense or scandal”—New Testament Lexicon. “Cause or occasion of sinning.” In the context, Paul dissuades from judging one another concerning clean and unclean meats (Romans 14:3; Romans 14:14), as a matter of comparatively small moment. But he urges, as a most momentous matter, that Christians should so regulate all their conduct, socially and religiously, as not to put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall, in the way of his brother. Thus he establishes a principle of action universally binding in all ages and under all circumstances. This compels every Christian disciple prayerfully to ponder this question, Do the social drinking usages of the present time put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall, in the way? No one will maintain, however social they may be, that they are the means of grace, or that they promote spirituality. It must, on the other hand, be admitted that they do circumscribe the usefulness of all, and seriously injure the spirituality of many. No one who uses alcoholic drinks, and furnishes them to his guests, can say they do him no injury. He is not a reliable judge in his own case. Others see and deplore the decline of spirituality and the increased power of worldliness which he makes evident. The point particularly to be regarded is the influence exerted upon those invited to your festive gatherings, and to whom you offer the intoxicating drinks, even so pressing them as to overcome reluctance, and perhaps conscientious convictions. Do you not thus put a stumbling-block, an impediment, an hindrance, in the way of the Christian usefulness and spiritual progress of your brother—perhaps younger in years, and in the church, than yourself? Do not these prove a cause of offense and of scandal, of sinning and of falling? Where are many who once were active, exemplary members of the churches? Alas! alas! they first learned to sip politely at the fashionable party given by a church member, and by sipping acquired the appetite which led on to drunkenness and the drunkard’s grave. We can all recall mournful illustrations. As others may not have the same cold temperament or self-control as yourself, your example is terrific upon the ardent temperament of the young. For their sakes, the apostolic command binds you to take this stumbling-block, this hindrance, this occasion to sin and to fall, out of the way of your brother (See Romans 14:17; Romans 15:1-3).
We should never forget what our Lord has said, Matthew 18:7, “Woe to the man by whom the offence cometh!” Luke 17:1, “But woe unto him through whom they [offences] come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend [cause to stumble or fall] one of these little ones.”
I can hardly believe that this subject has been seriously and prayerfully pondered by those Christian professors who habitually spread intoxicating drinks before their guests, especially at evening entertainments, where the young and unsuspecting are convened. The great barrier which blocks the temperance reform is not found among the drunkards nor in the grog-shops, but in the circles of fashion. So long as these drinks are found in the fashionable parties and defended as the good creatures of God, so long the masses will be so influenced as to be swept along with this fearful tide.