Woe to the World Because of Offenses - Matthew 18:7

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “the disciples” came “unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receives me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea”, and in chapter eighteen and verse seven of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus proclaimed, “Woe to the world because of offenses” where we read:

Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come;

but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

The verse reads, “Woe unto the world because of offenses!”. Matthew began with the word, “woe” or “alas” and is a “primary exclamation of grief” “unto the world” which means “toward the circle of the earth with all it's goods, endowments, riches, advantages and pleasures”“because” or “since and on account” “of offenses” which refers to “traps, snares and stumbling blocks”. Matthew shared how Jesus pronounced “woe” upon the entire earth because of the “traps, snares and stumbling blocks” that are within it.

The verse goes on to say, “... for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” Matthew continued with the words, “for” or “because, since and on account that” “it must needs be” which means “it is a distress and constraint” “that offenses” or “that traps, snares and stumbling blocks” “come” which means “appear, arise and come forth”; “but” or “nevertheless, moreover and” “woe to that man” which means “alas used as a primary exclamation of grief toward the person whether male or female” “by whom” or “through the person” “offenses” which means “traps, snares and stumbling blocks” “come” or “appear, arise and come forth”. Matthew shared how Jesus said “offenses” would appear, but He extended a great warning to anyone who makes and promotes them.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see a stern warning to anyone through whom “offenses” come. Jesus acknowledged that “offenses” would be in the world, but He strongly admonished anyone who participates in making and promoting them. God desires all people to believe and trust in Him and His Son Jesus, and anyone who brings “traps, snares and stumbling blocks” to those who believe in Him shall have Almighty God to contend with in the final judgment.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus declares, “if your eye offend you, pluck it out”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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