Romans 9:33 – “As it is written: ‘See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.'”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul is summarizing everything he has been saying about Israel’s failure to attain righteousness. He quotes from two Old Testament passages—Isaiah 8:14 and Isaiah 28:16—to explain why many Jews rejected Jesus while many Gentiles received Him.

Paul is saying that God placed a “stone” in Zion (Jerusalem), and this stone is Jesus Christ. Some people stumble over Him because they refuse to believe, while others trust in Him and are saved.

There are two different reactions to this “stone”:

1. For those who reject Jesus, He becomes a stumbling block. They trip over Him because they try to earn righteousness through their own works instead of receiving it through faith.
2. For those who trust in Jesus, He becomes the foundation of their salvation. They will never be ashamed or disappointed.

Paul is making it clear that salvation is found in Jesus alone. Those who reject Him will fall, but those who believe in Him will stand secure.

Historical Context

Paul is writing to a mixed audience of Jews and Gentiles in Rome. Many Jews believed that righteousness came through following the Law of Moses—keeping commandments, offering sacrifices, and obeying religious traditions. But when Jesus came, He fulfilled the law and offered salvation through faith in Him.

Many Jews stumbled over Jesus because they couldn’t accept that salvation was based on faith instead of works. They expected the Messiah to be a conquering king, not a suffering servant (Isaiah 53). Instead of embracing Jesus, they rejected Him—He became a stumbling block instead of their foundation.

Meanwhile, many Gentiles—who had no background in the Law—believed in Jesus and received the righteousness that Israel had been striving for.

Paul is explaining that this was exactly what the prophets had foretold: God would place a stone in Zion, and people would either trip over it or build their lives on it.

Theological Implications

This verse reveals three important spiritual truths:

1. Jesus is the Dividing Line – Every person must respond to Him. Either He is their foundation, or He is their stumbling block.
2. Faith, Not Works, is the Way to Salvation – Those who try to be righteous through their own efforts will fall. Those who trust in Christ will never be put to shame.
3. God’s Plan Has Always Included Both Jews and Gentiles – The Old Testament prophesied that many in Israel would reject the Messiah, but those who believed—whether Jew or Gentile—would be saved.

This verse forces everyone to make a decision about Jesus: Will we stumble over Him, or will we stand on Him as our foundation?

Literary Analysis

Paul combines two Old Testament passages to drive his point home:

• Isaiah 8:14 – “He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”
• Isaiah 28:16 – “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.”

By weaving these two prophecies together, Paul is showing that Jesus was always meant to be a dividing line.

The contrast in the verse is also powerful:

• Some stumble and fall.
• Some believe and are never put to shame.

Paul is emphasizing that there is no middle ground when it comes to Jesus—you either reject Him or trust Him completely.

Biblical Cross-References

• Matthew 21:42-44 – Jesus says, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone… Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces.”
• 1 Peter 2:6-8 – Peter also quotes Isaiah, saying that Jesus is “a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”
• John 3:18 – “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already.”
• Acts 4:11-12 – “Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else.”

These verses confirm that Jesus is the only way to salvation—those who trust in Him are secure, and those who reject Him are lost.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a reminder that everyone must make a decision about Jesus.

• Some people reject Him because He doesn’t fit their expectations. They want salvation on their own terms, so they stumble over Him instead of trusting Him.
• Others try to be “good enough” for God. But righteousness cannot be earned—it can only be received through faith in Jesus.
• Those who put their faith in Christ will never be ashamed. This means they will never be disappointed, never abandoned, and never let down by God’s promises.

The challenge for today’s Christian is to fully trust in Christ, rather than in religious works or personal efforts. Jesus is either your rock of salvation or the rock you trip over—there is no in-between.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

At first, this verse may sound harsh—why would God allow people to stumble? But when we look deeper, we see that God’s love is at work in two ways:

1. God sent Jesus to be our foundation. He didn’t leave us to figure out salvation on our own—He gave us a solid rock to stand on.
2. God allows people to choose. He doesn’t force anyone to believe, but He gives everyone the opportunity to trust in Christ.

This verse shows that God’s love is strong, but it requires a response. Those who trust in Him will never be ashamed, because God never fails those who believe in Him.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the stone in Zion—the one God placed as the foundation for salvation.

• Jesus is the cornerstone – The firm foundation for all who trust in Him (Ephesians 2:20).
• Jesus is the stumbling stone – The one whom many reject because they want to find their own way to God (1 Corinthians 1:23).
• Jesus is the only way to salvation – Those who believe in Him will never be put to shame (John 14:6).

This verse makes it clear that Jesus is the key to everything. Whether someone stumbles over Him or stands on Him depends entirely on their response to Him.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think people “stumble” over Jesus instead of believing in Him?
2. Have you ever struggled with relying on your own efforts instead of fully trusting in Christ?
3. How does this verse encourage you to have confidence in your faith?
4. What does it mean that those who trust in Jesus “will never be put to shame”?
5. How can you help others see Jesus as the foundation of their salvation instead of a stumbling block?