“…They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed” (1 Peter 2:8).
This portion of 1 Peter 2:8 requires us to approach this passage with care in order to avoid reaching a conclusion that is not supported by the text or the Biblical Scriptures as a whole. We can begin our examination of this portion of Scripture with a look at this reference to “stumbling.”
As anyone who has ever fallen over a tripping hazard knows from personal experience, this word describes “those who strike against a stone or other obstacle in the path.” (1) Christ is the “obstacle” in this instance, and the tripping hazard is salvation through faith in Him alone. That represents a stumbling block to anyone who seeks to relate to God based on their individual efforts.
The next characteristic given to us is “disobedience to the word.” One source informs us that the literal rendering of “disobedient” in this passage conveys the image of someone who is “non-persuasable.”(2) Since Jesus’ sinless life, miraculous works, and resurrection from the dead were proofs of His messianic credentials, those who rejected them clearly fell into the “non-persuasable” category.
One source illustrates this idea with two scenes from Jesus’ life…
“When news of the Messiah’s arrival came to the magi in the East, they determined to bring Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But when that same news came to King Herod in Jerusalem, his response was to attempt to kill Him.” (3)
Nevertheless, it is possible to read this passage and conclude that God appointed such individuals to stumble in this manner. However, a careful reading of this text identifies the actual cause: they were appointed to stumble because they were disobedient to God’s Word. The first action (disobedience to the Word) led to their corresponding appointment. Our final commentator clarifies this idea for us…
“God appoints those who stumble to stumble, because they do not believe. Their disobedience is not what God has ordained, but the penalty of their disobedience (‘stumbling’) is (cf. Acts 2:23; Rom. 11:8, 11, 30-32).” (4)
This same concept also holds true for us today. Therefore, a person who follows (or presents) a “Jesus” who differs from the Jesus of the Biblical Scriptures is someone who faces a dangerous appointment. In light of this, we must align our view of Christ with the Jesus of the Bible, lest we stumble when we discover Him to be someone who differs from from our perception of Him.
(1) G4350 Proskopto https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4350/kjv/tr/0-1/
(2) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [1 Peter 2:6-10] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
(3) GotQuestions.org, “What does it mean that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone?” Retrieved 20 October, 2023 from https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Christ-cornerstone.html
(4) J. N. Darby, Synopsis of the Books of the Bible, 5:436; Bigg, p. 133; Marshall, p. 73. Quoted in Notes on 1 Peter 2023 Edition, Dr. Thomas L. Constable https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/1peter/1peter.htm