The ramifications of Matthew 18, Verse 6 are most serious, no matter how we interpret these words: "offend" and "cause to stumble" or "to sin": causing injury of any kind to the greatest among us (the children) brings strong words from Jesus.
Matthew 18:6 Interpretations: Greek Study Bible (Apostolic / Interlinear)
Ὃς δ’ ἂν σκανδαλίσῃ ἕνα τῶν μικρῶν τούτων τῶν πιστευόντων εἰς ἐμέ, συμφέρει αὐτῷ ἵνα κρεμασθῇ μύλος ὀνικὸς περὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ καταποντισθῇ ἐν τῷ πελάγει τῆς θαλάσσης.
KJV with Strong's Morphology English
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
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Greek Transliteration Strong's Morphology English
Ὃς os 3739 R-NSM whoever
δ’ d 1161 CONJ But
ἂν an 302 PRT ever
σκανδαλίσῃ skandalisē 4624 V-AAS-3S may cause to stumble
What about the Children? Excerpts from a poem written by Ruth S Johnson, 1919-2009 (Schoolteacher, Great Grandmother):
"I marvel at the change in values in the world...fear of violation, abduction and death. (Children) live in fear, from birth. The innocence and trust soon disappears, replaced by raucous voices, in song and speech, enticing, twisting truth, beauty and love. To make what's right and good seem wrong and bad. To coax them carefully into habits and thoughts that are base and destructive! Shame on you world! God will not forgive what you are doing to the children! He tells us in the Bible that anyone who offends one of these little one had better beware of eternal damnation! Beware you purveyors of dope, pornography and immorality. You cannot hide from God! But how do we repair our broken children?"
Copyright RS Johnson 1994.
(Written permission granted by Johnson family to use this poem at DeliveringDiamonds.org and in book of same name.)
Samples of comments from Protestant clergy and miscellaneous Christian church leaders on dealing with perpetrators - even within their own ranks. The chief purpose of this Website (and the book bearing the same name) is to call attention to Christ's words and to take action, not to find fault.
