Matthew 18:7

“Woe unto the world because of offences! etc.] By which are meant, not sins, as sometimes, but rather temptations to sin; and so the Ethiopic version renders this word by “temptation” in every clause, as the Arabic does in the next; and may design all the contempt and reproach cast upon the doctrines, ordinances, and people of Christ, and all those afflictions, distresses, and persecutions exercised on them, on purpose to cause them to stumble and fall; to tempt them to deny the truth, drop their profession of religion, and relinquish the service of Christ; things which are displeasing to God, discouraging to his people, and often attended with bad consequences to formal professors; and bring…”

“Woe unto the world because of offences - That is, offences will be the cause of woe or of suffering. Offences, here, mean things that will produce sin: that will cause us to sin, or temptations to induce others to sin. See the notes at Matthew 5:29. It must needs be ... - That is, such is the depravity of man that there will be always some who are attempting to make others sin; some people of wickedness endeavoring to lead Christians astray, and rejoicing when they have succeeded in causing them to fall. Such, also, is the strength of our native corruption and the force of passion, that our besetting sins will lead us astray. Woe to that man by whom the offence cometh - He who leads others…”

“Wo to the world because of offences - That is, unspeakable misery will be in the world through them; for it must needs be that offences come - Such is the nature of things, and such the weakness, folly, and wickedness of mankind, that it cannot be but they will come; but wo to that man - That is, miserable is that man, by whom the offence cometh. Offences are, all things whereby any one is turned out of, or hindered in the way of God. Matthew 18:8”

“unto: Gen 13:7; Sa1 2:17, Sa1 2:22-25; Sa2 12:14; Luk 17:1; Rom 2:23, Rom 2:24; Ti1 5:14, Ti1 5:15, Ti1 6:1; Tit 2:5, Tit 2:8; Pe2 2:2 for: Mar 13:7; Act 1:16; Co1 11:19; Th2 2:3-12; Ti1 4:1-3; Ti2 3:1-5; Ti2 4:3, Ti2 4:4; Jde 1:4 but: Mat 13:41, Mat 13:42, 23:13-28, Mat 26:24; Joh 17:12; Act 1:18-20; Pe2 2:3, Pe2 2:15-17; Jde 1:11-13; Rev 2:14, Rev 2:15, Rev 2:20-23, Rev 19:20, Rev 19:21 Matthew 18:8”