this stumbling does not properly belong to Christ viewed in himself; but, on the contrary, it is what
happens through the wickedness of men, according to what immediately follows.
33.And every one who believes in him shall not be ashamed. He subjoins this testimony from
another part for the consolation of the godly; as though he had said, “Because Christ is called the
stone of stumbling, there is no reason that we should dread him, or entertain fear instead of
confidence; for he is appointed for ruin to the unbelieving, but for life and resurrection to the godly.”
As then the former prophecy, concerning the stumbling and offence, is fulfilled in the rebellious
and unbelieving, so there is another which is intended for the godly, and that is, that he is a firm
stone, precious, a corner-stone, most firmly fixed, and whosoever builds on it shall never fall. By
putting shall not be ashamed instead of shall not hasten or fall, he has followed the Greek Translator.
It is indeed certain that the Lord in that passage intended to strengthen the hope of His people: and
when the Lord bids us to entertain good hope, it hence follows that we cannot be ashamed.^317 See
a passage like this in 1 Peter 2:10
(^317) The citation in this verse is made in a remarkable manner. The first part, “Behold I lay in Zion,” is taken from Isaiah 28:16;
what follows, “a stone of stumbling and rock of offense,” is taken from Isaiah 8:14; and then the last words, “and whosoever
believes in him shall not be ashamed,” are given from the preceding passage in Isaiah 28:16. The subject is the same.
With respect to the last clause Paul has followed the Septuagint, “shall not be ashamed.” But the Hebrew word, rendered
in our version “shall not make haste,” will bear a similar meaning, and may be translated, shall not hurry or be confounded. —
Ed.