"to cause to stumble; intrans. to stumble, stagger, fall; to make a false step; met. to err, transgress, Rom. 11:11; Jas. 2:10; 3:2 (2x); met. to fail of an object, 2 Pet. 1:10*"
Definition and meaning
to cause to stumble; intrans. to stumble, stagger, fall; to make a false step; met. to err, transgress, Rom. 11:11; Jas. 2:10; 3:2 (2x); met. to fail of an object, 2 Pet. 1:10*
In the original Greek the word is written: πταίω
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of ptaio (G4417) across the King James Bible.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
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Common questions
Strong's G4417 (ptaio) is a Greek word that means: to cause to stumble; intrans. to stumble, stagger, fall; to make a false step; met. to err, transgress, Rom. 11:11; Jas. 2:10; 3:2 (2x); met. to fail of an object, 2 Pet. 1:10* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word ptaio (G4417) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4417 is ptaio, a Greek word defined as: to cause to stumble; intrans. to stumble, stagger, fall; to make a false step; met. to err, transgress, Rom. 11:11; Jas. 2:10; 3:2 (2x); met. to fail . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ptaio is a Greek word found in the New Testament.