Offense (Offence)

1. An injury or wrong done to one (1 Samuel 25:31; Romans 5:15).

2. A stumbling-block or cause of temptation (Isaiah 8:14; Matthew 16:23; 18:7). Greek skandalon, properly that at which one stumbles or takes offense. The “offense of the cross” (Galatians 5:11) is the offense the Jews took at the teaching that salvation was by the crucified One, and by him alone. Salvation by the cross was a stumbling-block to their national pride.