A noun describing what causes someone to stumble or take offense—an obstacle, impediment, or occasion for trouble. Classical usage included antipathies and offenses taken. Paul uses it in 2 Corinthians 6:3 declaring that his ministry gives no cause of stumbling in anything, lest the ministry be blamed. The term captures whatever might bring discredit on the gospel—moral failure, inconsistency, hypocrisy—anything that would cause others to stumble over the messenger and reject the message. Paul zealously guards against providing such offense.