Woe to the world for the causes of sin.This phrase highlights the inevitable presence of sin in the world, a concept rooted in the fall of humanity as described in
Genesis 3. The term "woe" is a strong expression of grief or denunciation, often used by prophets in the Old Testament to pronounce judgment (e.g.,
Isaiah 5:8-23). The "world" here refers to the fallen human system opposed to God, as seen in 1
John 2:15-17. The "causes of sin" can be understood as temptations or stumbling blocks that lead people away from righteousness. This reflects the pervasive nature of sin and its impact on creation, aligning with
Romans 8:20-22, which speaks of creation's subjection to futility.
These stumbling blocks must come,
This acknowledges the inevitability of temptations and trials in a fallen world. The phrase "must come" suggests divine foreknowledge and the reality of living in a world marred by sin. It echoes Jesus' teachings inMatthew 13:41 about the presence of stumbling blocks until the end of the age. The concept of stumbling blocks, or "skandalon" in Greek, refers to anything that causes someone to fall into sin. This is consistent with the biblical narrative that trials and temptations are part of the human experience, as seen inJames 1:2-4, which encourages believers to find joy in trials for the sake of spiritual maturity.
but woe to the man through whom they come!
This part of the verse shifts focus to personal responsibility and accountability. While stumbling blocks are inevitable, individuals are warned against being the source of temptation or sin for others. This aligns with Jesus' earlier teachings inMatthew 5:29-30, where He emphasizes the seriousness of causing others to sin. The "woe" pronounced here serves as a warning of judgment for those who lead others astray, reminiscent of the severe consequences faced by false prophets and leaders in the Old Testament (e.g.,Jeremiah 23:1-2). This underscores the importance of living a life that reflects Christ's teachings and avoids leading others into sin, as further emphasized inRomans 14:13.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, providing a warning and teaching to His disciples about the inevitability of sin and the responsibility of individuals.
2.
The WorldRepresents humanity and the fallen state of creation, which is prone to sin and stumbling blocks.
3.
Stumbling BlocksRefers to temptations or obstacles that lead people into sin, which are inevitable in a fallen world.
4.
The Man through Whom They ComeAn individual who causes others to sin, highlighting personal responsibility and accountability.
Teaching Points
The Inevitability of SinSin and temptations are part of the fallen world. Believers should be aware of this reality and remain vigilant.
Personal ResponsibilityEach person is accountable for their actions, especially if they lead others into sin. We must strive to be examples of righteousness.
The Seriousness of Causing Others to SinJesus pronounces "woe" on those who cause others to stumble, indicating the gravity of such actions. We should be cautious not to be a source of temptation.
The Call to HolinessBelievers are called to live holy lives, avoiding sin and helping others to do the same. This involves self-examination and repentance.
Community and AccountabilityThe Christian community should support one another in avoiding sin and holding each other accountable in love.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 18:7?
2.How can we avoid being a "stumbling block" to others in our community?
3.What does Matthew 18:7 teach about the inevitability of temptations in life?
4.How does Matthew 18:7 connect with Romans 14:13 on avoiding causing others to sin?
5.In what ways can we actively combat temptations in our daily lives?
6.How can we support others in overcoming temptations and avoiding sin?
7.What does "woe to the world" signify in Matthew 18:7?
8.How does Matthew 18:7 address the inevitability of stumbling blocks?
9.Why does Matthew 18:7 emphasize personal responsibility for causing others to sin?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 18?
11.What is the Bible's view on taking offense?
12.What did Jesus mean by 'My kingdom is not worldly'?
13.What does it mean to be pharisaical?
14.What signifies the wide gate leading to destruction?What Does Matthew 18:7 Mean
Woe to the world• Jesus begins with a solemn warning: “Woe to the world…” (Matthew 18:7a).
• The word “woe” signals grief, judgment, and sorrow. Christ laments over a world marred by sin’s devastation (Genesis 6:5;Romans 8:22).
• John echoes the same heartache: “Do not love the world or anything in the world” (1 John 2:15-17), reminding believers that the present world system is hostile to God.
• While believers live in this fallen realm, Christ’s victory gives courage: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
For the causes of sin• The woe specifically targets “the causes of sin”—the temptations, traps, and influences that draw people away from God (James 1:14-15).
• Ever since Adam, sin’s entrance has corrupted every sphere of life: “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin” (Romans 5:12).
• Paul warns that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), revealing a steady stream of enticements designed to ensnare hearts.
• Christ’s lament teaches us not to treat sin lightly. What grieves Him must grieve us (Psalm 119:136).
These stumbling blocks must come• Jesus continues, “These stumbling blocks must come” (Matthew 18:7b).
• In a fallen creation, temptation is unavoidable; Scripture affirms that “there must also be factions among you” (1 Corinthians 11:19) and “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial…as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
• God permits such trials for refining faith (James 1:2-4), exposing genuine devotion amid a counterfeit world.
• Yet inevitability never excuses sin; instead, it calls believers to vigilance and dependence on the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
But woe to the man through whom they come!• Though temptation is inevitable, the one who introduces it bears full responsibility: “but woe to the man through whom they come!” (Matthew 18:7c).
• Jesus repeats this inLuke 17:1, underscoring personal accountability.
• Like Judas—of whom Jesus said, “It would be better for that man if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24)—anyone who leads others into sin faces severe judgment.
• Scripture cautions teachers especially: “We who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1).
• Paul urges believers, “Resolve never to put a stumbling block or obstacle in a brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).
summary• Christ mourns the world’s brokenness and warns of judgment on sin’s corruption.
• Temptations are certain in a fallen creation, yet God uses them to reveal authentic faith.
• While the presence of stumbling blocks is inevitable, anyone who becomes their channel invites serious divine “woe.”
• Followers of Jesus must therefore reject every role in promoting sin, guard one another’s walk, and cling to the Savior who alone overcomes the world.
(7)
Woe unto the world.--The interjection is one of sorrow as well as denunciation, and here the former meaning is predominant, as the latter is in the next clause of the verse. The true meaning of "offence," as meaning not the mere transgression of a law, but such a transgression as causes the fall of others, must be carefully borne in mind throughout. The words, "It must needs be that offences come, but woe unto that man . . . ," unite in strange contrast the two truths which all the history of human guilt brings before us. Crimes seem to recur with something like the inevitable regularity of a law, and yet in each single instance the will of the offender has been free to choose, and he is therefore rightly held responsible both by divine and human laws.
Verse 7. - This and the preceding verse occur in St. Luke (Luke 17:1, 2) in an inverted order.
Woe unto the world! The Lord thinks of the deadly evil brought into the world by offences given, such as bad example, unholy lives of Christians, persecutions, scoffs, thoughtlessness - things which lead so many astray.
For it must needs be. While men are what they are, such consequences must be expected. This is not an absolute, but a relative, necessity. Man's heart is evil, his tendencies are evil, temptation is strong. Satan is active; all these forces combine to bring about a fatal result. Thus St. Paul says (
1 Corinthians 11:19), "There must be heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." So these offences of which Christ speaks are overruled and permitted for wise purposes, that by them the righteous may be proved and purified, and the chaff separated from the wheat.
But woe to that man! Because of this evil principle which is rife in the world, no man is exonerated from the guilt of giving offence. He has free will; he can choose good; he can use the means of grace; he can strengthen his natural weakness, control his perverseness, overcome corruption, by the help of God always ready to be given to them who seek. The first "woe" is a cry of pity for a world in danger; the second "woe" is a denunciation of the sinner as being responsible for the evil which he introduces. We are all in some sort our brothers' keepers, and are bound to help forward their salvation, and to do nothing which may tend to endanger their souls' health.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
WoeΟὐαὶ(Ouai)Interjection
Strong's 3759:Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; 'woe'.to theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.worldκόσμῳ(kosmō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889:Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).forἀπὸ(apo)Preposition
Strong's 575:From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.theτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.causes of sin.σκανδάλων(skandalōn)Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4625:A snare, stumbling-block, cause for error. Scandal; probably from a derivative of kampto; a trap-stick, i.e. Snare.[These]τὰ(ta)Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.stumbling blocksσκάνδαλα(skandala)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4625:A snare, stumbling-block, cause for error. Scandal; probably from a derivative of kampto; a trap-stick, i.e. Snare.mustἀνάγκη(anankē)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 318:From ana and the base of agkale; constraint; by implication, distress.come,ἐλθεῖν(elthein)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2064:To come, go.butπλὴν(plēn)Conjunction
Strong's 4133:However, nevertheless, but, except that, yet. From pleion; moreover, i.e. Albeit, save that, rather, yet.woeοὐαὶ(ouai)Interjection
Strong's 3759:Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; 'woe'.to theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.manἀνθρώπῳ(anthrōpō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.throughδι’(di’)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.whomοὗ(hou)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.[they]σκάνδαλον(skandalon)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4625:A snare, stumbling-block, cause for error. Scandal; probably from a derivative of kampto; a trap-stick, i.e. Snare.come!ἔρχεται(erchetai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064:To come, go.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world because of occasions (Matt. Mat Mt) 
