1 Peter 2:8 (DRB)

Passage

And a stone of stumbling and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto also they are set.

Nearby Context

1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore it is said in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious. And he that shall believe in him shall not be confounded.

1 Peter 2:7 To you therefore that believe, he is honour: but to them that believe not, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner:

1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto also they are set.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

1 Peter 2:10 Who in times past were not a people: but are now the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy: but now have obtained mercy.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "stone", "stumbling", "rock", "scandal", "stumble", "word", "neither", and "believe". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "stone" and "stumbling", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 7's "To you therefore that believe he is..." into verse 9's "But you are a chosen generation a...", so "stone" and "stumbling" belong inside that flow. In 1 Peter context, the local focus is hope in suffering, holy conduct, submission, and grace.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "stone" and "stumbling" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.