DEFINITION OF TERMS – STONE (LITHOS)

Word Information

Word: Lithos
English: stone
λίθος – lithos – stone

Source: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
Author: Joseph Henry Thayer

"And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Matthew 21:44

Thayer’s Definition

• a stone
• of small stones
• of building stones
• metaphorically of Christ

1 Corinthians 10:4b

…for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

The Lord is described, amongst other things, as a Stone (or ‘Rock’). Matthew 21:44 is clear: if we yield to Him, we may be broken, but He will bind us up and we will live before Him (Hos 6:1-3). But if we try to resist Him and roll the Stone away from us, He will fall back on us (Pro 26:27). It’s always more painful when you refuse and rebel! (Isa 1:19-20)

A cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, determining the position of the entire building. In this sense, as the Chief Cornerstone (Mat 21:42), He provides the pattern for laying the foundation. (Eph 2:20)

1 Corinthians 3:10-11

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For no other foundation can a man lay than what is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:5-8

You also, as living stones, are built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Therefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious; and he that believes on him shall not be confounded…

Unto you therefore who believe he is precious: but unto them who are disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner. And, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them who stumble at the word, being disobedient: to which also they were appointed.

As a living stone, pattern your life according to the Lord, our Rock. If you yield to Him, He will be your example. If you disobey Him, He will become ‘a stone of stumbling’ and a ‘rock of offense’. Choose wisely, dear reader!

Sizzling Sunday: 17th December 2023

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