Bible Strands
Romans 9:33
as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul is explaining to the Roman church why Israel failed to attain the righteousness God intended (Rom 9:32). He quotes Scripture to show the cause is not God's failure but their own.
The words — proskommatos (G4348) is the technical term for a stumbling block, a thing that causes a fall, not merely an obstacle. It carries the sense of a deliberate trip, not an accidental one.
The thread — The quotation blends Isaiah 28:16 (the stone laid in Zion) and Isaiah 8:14 (stone of stumbling, rock of offense). The closing clause about not being put to shame reappears in Romans 10:11.
Why it lands — The same object is simultaneously a foundation and a trap; the verse forces a choice rather than offering a middle ground. Belief in the stone is the only condition that prevents the fall.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 28:16 So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.
- Isaiah 8:14 And He will be a sanctuary—but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare.
- Romans 10:11 It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
- Joel 2:26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are satisfied. You will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you. My people will never again be put to shame.
- 1 Peter 2:6 For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
- Psalms 118:22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
- Psalms 25:2 in You, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.
- Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
- Psalms 25:20 Guard my soul and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.
- Isaiah 45:17 But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame or humiliated, to ages everlasting.