Fourth Question: On Sins Opposed to Beneficence

957. Scandal is opposed to beneficence. - There are many sins which are opposed to beneficence, of which most inflict injury or cooperate with it, and therefore wound justice. Against charity there is especially scandal. This word etymologically signifies a stumbling-block, and is taken actively for the placing of a stumbling-block in the way, against which one striking with the foot is disposed to a fall or ruin; and passively for the very striking against the stumbling-block, or offense of the foot. Hence in the theological sense, actively, it is the placing of an action which disposes someone to spiritual ruin; passively, it is the very fall or spiritual ruin on account of the action of another.

Therefore in the theological sense scandal is not that which in common speech is so called, namely, rumor, or wonder, or horror and indignation concerning the sin of another; but grave suspicions, and rash judgments, detractions, calumnies arisen among the people, - indeed also delight or approval or consent in sin, although these latter things in common speech are not scandal.