Verse 1 Jude, A Servant of Jesus Christ, and Brother of James, To Them That Are Called, Beloved in God The Father, and Kept For Jesus Christ
Verse 1 Jude, A Servant of Jesus Christ, and Brother of James, To Them That Are Called, Beloved in God The Father, and Kept For Jesus Christ
Verse 1 Jude, A Servant of Jesus Christ, and Brother of James, To Them That Are Called, Beloved in God The Father, and Kept For Jesus Christ
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are called,
James ... One of the brothers of Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:55), and therefore, at first, not
a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ whom he here acknowledges as his Lord (John 7:2-5). Servant
... The word for "servant" here is meaning one "born into slavery," thus witnessing to the fact of
Jude's being "twice born," having experienced the new birth. Although the meaning of this
word in the Greek is "slave," the translators have wisely rendered it "servant," because of the
degrading associations connected with the other word. And brother of James ... This is added
by way of identification, and also as a basis of his expecting to be heard. "It is almost impossible
that an apostle should have urged such a claim, and yet not have stated the much higher claim
of his own office. The powerful inference, of course, is that the writer of Jude was not an
apostle. Called ... in the New Testament always has the sense of a call accepted and obeyed.
Beloved in God ... Here we have "a parallel to the Pauline in Christ. One's being either "in God"
or "in Christ" being automatically equivalent to his being in the other, it is clear that here is
another New Testament witness to the conception reaching back to the Lord himself of the
"corporate body" of God's people. And kept for Jesus Christ ... Wallace noted that, "The verb
here translated kept points toward Christ's return."
Coffman's Commentary
We have an information about the author of the letter, Jude, Judas or Judah. He was
related to the son of Jacob. It is the most relevant though not the first born of his sons. It is the
time before the Messiah. It is also said to be a name of eminency, worth and honor. And in
contrast, it has an evil connection to a wicked name, a betrayal name of the Lord Jesus Christ
named Judas Iscariot whom is also part of the twelve apostles. The first name Judas that we
mentioned was a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ. He was quite another man. He was a
faithful servant of Jesus Christ. The Iscariot, the second name was a murderer and betrayer.
Despite of him belonging to the apostles, he was known for an evildoer that made him apart
from them. It is really great to be acknowledged as faithful servant of Jesus Christ than to be
known for an earthly king or king of the flesh. We are called, beloved in God, the Father and
kept for Jesus Christ. The word “called” refers to Christians respectively in the judgment. The
apostle may speak also the preaching of the word “called” which people gladly received and
believed in our society of fellowship in Church by which Christ is the head. Christians are called,
called out of the evil world, out of the sin to Christ, from vanity to seriousness, from
uncleanliness to holiness. Beloved in God the Father. A beloved person is one who is clearly
loved. In the Old Testament, the word “beloved” is used repeatedly in the song of Solomon. But
in many New Testament writers used the word beloved to address the recipients of their letters
(Philippians, Corinthians and Peter). The word “beloved” means name of the human affection.
It is stated that beloved in God, God chose his people group as His beloved in order to set them
apart for His Divine plan to save the world. Those addressed were more than friends but they
were brothers and sisters in Christ and are highly valued. Those who are called and beloved are
kept for Jesus Christ. In this, we, believers are preserved and kept from the gates of hell and to
the glory of heaven. It is because it is with Jesus that we abide and strongly have union with
Him are the way of being kept and preserved.
Personal Commentary
Verse 2
Jude's fondness for triads is evident throughout the letter. In these first two verses we have: (1)
three names: Jude, Jesus Christ, and James, then (2) three forms of relation: servant, Lord
(Master), and brother, then (3) mercy, peace, and love. In Jude 1:1:5-10, we have three
examples of apostasy: (4) Israel of the Exodus, the rebel angels, and the citizens of Sodom and
Gomorrah. There follows: (5) a three-fold characterization of the evil men as walking in the
ways of Cain, Balaam, and Korah.Grace, mercy, and peace ... This follows closely the sentiment
of Paul's "grace, mercy, and peace" (2 Timothy 1:2).
Coffman's Commentary
Mercy of God is considered as our source or fountain of all the good that peoples nare. It is the
mercy that we hope not only for the miracles but also for the guilty. Peace next to mercy is
conveying that by mercy we can attain and sustain peace, we can only obtain peace if its the
truth which is the reconcilation with God throught Jesus mercy often peace and peace offers
now the love. Love which graetly defined as our love to Him, this love for us and our brotherly
love to one another. These three is hoped to be multiplied to the Christians stating the message
within that souls people and their societies may be full of them, knowing already that God is full
of grace and infinite in giving grace.
Personal Commentary
Verse 3
Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I
was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was
once for all delivered unto the saints.
While I was giving all diligence ... means that Jude was actually engaged in writing a treatise on
"our common salvation." For possible reasons why this might have been overruled by God, see
in the introduction. Common salvation ... This has the meaning of the salvation which is offered
to all people alike, upon the same conditions, from the same source, and entailing the same
obligations. This salvation is not common in the sense of being ordinary, being on the other
hand the most precious treasure ever made available to the sons of earth.I was constrained to
write unto you exhorting you ... Not further instructions, but exhortation to heed the truth
already received was the great requirement of the day; and Jude accepted the challenge. As to
the incident that might have led to this change in his plans, we are not told; but it may be
surmised that news from churches in which he was vitally interested might have been the
decisive factor. Beloved ... The only other example of a New Testament book beginning with
this particular word is 3 John 1:1:2. "As Jude's subject was a very unpleasant one, he hastens to
assure his readers of his affection for them, to prevent his strong language from offending
them."Exhorting you to contend earnestly ... There are very important deductions which are
mandatory in such a declaration, the first being the possibility of apostasy. As Mayor put it, "It
is possible (as shown by the following examples) for spiritual blessings once given to be lost
unless we use every effort to maintain them." Another deduction is that hostility to the truth
exists and will continue to exist throughout history. What is meant is that Christians shall
vigorously fight for and defend the truth. Barclay pointed out that the Greek word used here
"contains the root of our English word agony. The defense of the faith may well be a costly
thing; but that defense is a duty which falls on every generation of the church."For the faith ...
What is this? We reject the notion of some, like that of Dummelow, to the effect that the faith
as used here applies merely to the no fact "that our common salvation is the work of
Christ."While true enough as far as it goes, much more than that is meant here. "It means that
alone which is contained in the Bible."It means the sum of that which Christians believe."The
faith here implies a recognized body of teaching such as we know emerged from Peter's early
sermons.Therefore, Caton is correct in including in the meaning all of the basic New Testament
requirements of faith, repentance, confession, and baptism into Christ of all who would be
saved initially, and the ethical, moral and religious obligations of Christians, including their
faithful observance of the Lord's Supper, along with the reception and cherishing of the earnest
of the Holy Spirit, as necessarily manifested in their subsequent lives.Here again, in the New
Testament usage of faith, it means, as so frequently in other New Testament passages, as
Alford put it: "Faith means the faith which is believed, not the faith by which we believe.Once
for all delivered ... The use of the Greek word [hapax] carries the meaning of "once only and
forever." The gospel delivered to mankind was not a piecemeal revelation, "here a little and
there a little" as in the Old Testament, but the full message in its entirety and completeness as
delivered through Christ to the apostles. The word ([Greek: hapax]) is the same as in such New
Testament expressions as "appointed to man once to die," "Christ offered himself once," etc.
See fuller comment on this word in my Commentary on Hebrews, p. 164. Russell's comment on
this phrase was: "The gospel was delivered not in part, but as a complete whole.There is hardly
any other message of the New Testament that has greater relevance for our own times than
this. The revelation of Christ through the apostles is complete, inviolate, sufficient, eternal,
immutable, and not subject to any change whatever. Jesus made his sayings to be the dogmatic
foundation of Christianity as evident in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 7:24-25) and in the
great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). People who desire to know God, walk in the light, have
eternal life, etc., should heed such passages as 2 John 1:1:9, always remembering that the truth
was "first spoken by the Lord" (Hebrews 2:3), and that all of those religious doings which
cannot pass the test of having been "first" spoken by Jesus Christ should be rejected.
Coffman's Commentary
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it
necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith
Common salvation is very evident in this verse but the apostle did not write for writing’s
sake. The necessity in the present case was that he should write about the common salvation
by which the immediacy of it was to arose out of certain men who had crept into the Church
unawares. It is also being delivered as the present salvation is enjoyed by the followers of Christ
and those who are called, sanctified by God the Father and kept in Jesus Christ, are saved.
Common salvation is not a matter of future alone, a blessing to be sought for a deathbed
reaching heaven but is present for the people of God. This consists in many works of grace for
us and in us, that being saved is deliverance in the awful distance which we once stood by God,
from the gloom and darkness we are being carried away.
Contend to the faith is the second point of the verse that is being conveyed. The faith
was once for all, delivered to the saints. Jude taught that the faith has been once for all. It is a
revelation concerning the doctrinal content of faith is finished. The faith that was also
mentioned is about the unity of apostolic faith. It is by mean that once we had was faith not
faiths. Because there is the oneness and unity. We are in Jude being told to contend for what
we believe. This letter is also not written to any pastor or minister but to “those who are called,
beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ which the duty to contend for the faith is
therefore not just a duty of ordained ministers of the Word. It is the duty of every genuine
believers.
Personal Commentary
Verse 4
For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old written of beforehand
unto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God unto lasciviousness, and
denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
There are certain men crept in privily ... These evil persons were the reasons for Jude's writing
this letter. Just how he came to have this information is not specified; but presumably, he had
received either some letter regarding it, or had been visited by one who knew the facts. It
would appear that such people were apostate Christians, rather than rank outsiders. "In New
Testament times, many of the enemies of the church were an emergence from within, rather
than an intrusion from without.Whatever had been their beginnings, the evil men were at that
time "ungodly," a favorite word with Jude. The Greek word [@asebeia] (ungodly) "is found 4
times in Romans 3 times in Timothy and Titus 1 time in 1 Peter 2 times in 2Peter, and 6 times in
Jude.They had corrupted the concept of the grace of God so as to make it a cover for blatant
immorality.These heretics are here indicted in four charges: (1) they entered secretly; (2) they
were prophetically consigned to doom; (3) they are ungodly; and (4) they deny Christ. As
Wallace said, "To deny is positively to disbelieve what Christ testified about himself.
Lasciviousness ... "This implies Gnostic antinomianism, which connotes sexual debauchery. Such
errors were clearly connected with the abuse of Paul's teachings regarding the grace of God;
and the urgency with which Jude here undertook the refutation of it indicates that no great
time had lapsed since Paul's letters of Romans, Galatians and Ephesians had appeared, thus
corroborating the approximate date we have assigned to this letter.Who were of old written of
... Macknight explained the meaning of this thus:Jude means that the Scriptures relating the
doom of Sodom, the punishment of angels, etc., whose sins were the same as those of these
wicked men, were to be understood as examples of the punishment God would inflict upon
them.
Coffman's Commentary
For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this
condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our
only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
For certain people have crept in unnoticed. It is for the false teachers who are being
describe in this passage. The certain people’s names were not mentioned even their number
and only stated certain people or some men. Have “crept in unnoticed” by means either
custom of those people becoming members of the Churches or into the ministry assuming that
they are official themselves while spreading false doctrines. “who long ago were designated for
this condemnation” judgment is we mean by condemnation. It is the punishment for the act of
embracing and spreading errors and heresies which is not casual things. Condemnation is also a
prophecy itself. “Ungodly men” in fact all men are ungodly so included are the false teachers
who do not fear God, did not worship God externally in accordance to the appointments,
inclusive also of the ones who separate themselves from the rue worshippers of God. “who
pervert the grace of our God into sensuality” is convey that wicked men transfer the doctrines
from its original nature, design and use into a foreign one. The grace of our God was despised
by some and abused by others and did not love and favor God in their own hearts. “and deny
our only Master” it is the only sovereign Master that we have both in providence and grace. He
is our only God but not the exclusion of son and Holy Spirit. ‘and Lord, Jesus Christ”. We mean
by this passage of the humanity as God’s sonship. He was the Messiah prophesied in
righteousness.
Personal Commentary
Verse 5
Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that
the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that
believed not.
Though ye know all things once for all ... Here again is (Greek: [@hapax]), indicating that the
Christian knows the whole message once and for all, finally, before he is even converted. In the
sense of its basics, the Christian faith is not an exploration, but an acceptance, but not so much
after that acceptance a learning, as it is a doing. Barnett defended the RSV as superior in their
rendition of this as, "Learn one lesson, and you know all. This applies to the "common
salvation" and the "faith once for all delivered" rather than to the Old Testament examples Jude
was about to cite.Saved a people out of... Egypt ... By bringing up the example of the Israel of
the Exodus, Jude taught that, "The goodness of God will not hinder him from punishing the
wicked under the new dispensation, any more than it hindered him from punishing them under
the old. The information which Jude states in this verse as being known "once for all," according
to Wheaton, is "catechetical instruction given prior to baptism, which corresponds with the
meaning suggested in discussion of it above.Afterward destroyed them that believed not ...
Here the New Testament habit of using "belief" to cover a whole family of related things is clear
enough. The Israelites were destroyed for idolatry in worshipping the golden calf, their
fornication with the Midianites, their murmuring and complaining, etc.; but all of this is
summed up as "they believed not."
Coffman's Commentary
Now, I want to remind you, although you once fully know it, that Jesus, who saved a people out
of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. In this verse, ignorance is
very evident and emphasized because of the phrase “you once fully know it”, this part of the
work to put people in the mind of what they have known already which is necessary because of
the inattentiveness of the listeners, being forgetful, the loss of knowledge and the weak
capacity to retain things. Judgment is not yet that more informed hereby but we can arise the
awareness “that Jesus who saved a people out of the land of Egypt”. In this passage, people of
Israel were being referred to, they had been the chosen one which they are special above any
others, these people were brought out of their chain of slavery and delivered them out of
difficulties such as oppressions and afflictions, by the Lord with a mighty arm. They were that
special for they have wonderful deliverance and great salvation. “afterward destroyed those
who did not believe” God did great things for persons and yet after all can destroy them. Yes,
they have great riches and honors, great natural gifts, received great grace from God, enjoyed
mercy of God and yet they were at last had been perished.
Personal Commentary
Verse 6
“And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their
proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of
the great day –
And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in
everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.It is disgusting that some
so-called Christian commentaries read like an exegesis on the apocryphal book of Enoch, rather
than a discussion of the sacred New Testament. There is not any reference whatever in this
place to Genesis 6:1ff and the wild and speculative tales about angels having intercourse with
women, producing a nation of giants, and a lot of other fembu which is not even hinted at in
this verse. For the moment, we shall leave it at that, but a fuller discussion will be given under
Jude 1:1:14.Angels that kept not their own principality ... These were the angels of Satan
mentioned by the Saviour in Matthew 25:41. There is nothing in this verse that might not be
inferred from what Jesus said there, especially by a person who had been reared in the same
home with Jesus! That those angels of the devil had indeed rebelled is clear from the fact of
their belonging to the devil; and these words are a legitimate statement of such an
inference.He hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness ... All that we said under the
preceding paragraph applies here. An apostle of Jesus Christ had already given Jude all of the
authority he needed for making such a statement as this. Peter said, "God spared not the
angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be
reserved unto judgment" (2 Peter 2:4).Rose stressed the willingness of some to see this as a
reference to the superstition that "the angels came down to earth, cohabited with women,
producing a half-human, half-demonic race of beings called giants in Genesis 6:4." He firmly
rejected such a view, saying that, "For this writer, Jesus sufficiently refutes the idea that angels
could possibly commit fornication with humans (Matthew 22:30). Full agreement is felt with
Rose; and, besides that, "angels" are not even mentioned in the Genesis passage. The
commentators have simply dragged the Book of Enoch into their misunderstanding of this
passage.The judgment of the great day ... "This expression occurs in Revelation 6:17, and
nowhere else in the New Testament. This is to be identified with John's "last day" (John
6:39,40,44,54; John 11:24; and John 12:48). Other New Testament expressions for that great
final occasion are "that day," "the day of judgment," and "the day of the Lord."
Coffman's Commentary
“And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority” angels that
were mentioned here were that holy, honorable. They were filled with holiness and
righteousness. They have the greatest and highest rank among the morning stars. They did not
maintain the hierarchy in God’s perfect creation among men. They did not stay within their own
position of authority and one of them sinned and the rest were drawn into it by him.
“but left their proper dwelling” Because of their unwillingness to subject to good and the
unwillingness to accept the human nature of the Son of God. They have been cast out of their
native habitation and were thrown into the hell and Satan became their head after leaving their
proper dwelling in God’s perfect love and condition.
“he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness” In this passage, eternal chains or chains
of darkness is reserved to those angels who left their proper dwelling. They will be in prison
according to God’s plan. “until the judgment of the great day” This great day is fixed already by
God and is happening in the future. This day is for men of evils and devils themselves. The
judgment day though is unknown to the humankind. The great ones will receive great glory and
the dead will be raise, all nations will be gathered together.
Personal Commentary
Verse 7
Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having in like manner with these
having given themselves over to fornication and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an
example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.
Sodom and Gomorrah ... These were the wicked cities whose shameful sin is embalmed in the
very name of one of them, a full account of which may be found in Genesis 18 and Genesis 19.
These are a second illustration drawn from the Old Testament of once privileged people who
were destroyed for their wickedness. The plain of Sodom was well-watered, evidently being
one of great fertility, as indicated by Lot's choice of it.And the cities about them ... These words
are scarcely noted by some, but without this notice the next clause is unintelligible. Which were
these cities "round about" Sodom and Gomorrah? They were "Admah and Zeboim, the two
being mentioned along with Sodom and Gomorrah in Deuteronomy 29:23. Having in like
manner with these ... has the meaning that all four of those wicked cities including Zeboim and
Admah were guilty of "fornication" and the deviations associated more generally with Sodom
and Gomorrah. Jude reveals here that Zeboim and Admah were similarly guilty with Sodom and
Gomorrah. Failure to note this has led some commentators to interpret this as meaning that
they committed fornication and went after strange flesh (Sodomy) like the angels! Of course,
Jesus said that, "In heaven the sons of God shall be as the angels of heaven who neither marry,
nor are given in marriage," (Matthew 22:30), indicating that angelic life is utterly different from
life on earth.Suffering the punishment of eternal fire ... That this verse is not a reference to the
angels is clear in the distinction of the two punishments. That of the angels was their
reservation "under darkness" until the judgment; that in this verse, being the punishment of
the wicked cities, is "suffering ... eternal fire," a plain reference to the divine visitation against
Sodom and Gomorrah. Such a punishment suggested to Jude the "eternal fire" mentioned by
Jesus as the punishment of the wicked, of which the physical destruction of the cities was but a
preliminary type of the ultimate overthrow of the wicked in hell.
Coffman's Commentary
Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities which likewise indulged in
sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a
punishment of eternal fire.
“Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities” These are examples of Gpd’s
vengeance to sinners such as to Israelites and Admah and Zeboism, for Zoar was spared. The
names mentioned was after great favors had been enjoyed, they were very fruitful, had kings
over them, they have been rescued by Abraham for him to make intercession of people with
God but “which likely indulged in sexual immorality” the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah
gave themselves over to the sin of fornication that expected to fall in the same judgment which
is similar for sin is a work of flesh and contradiction to the law of God. “and pursued unnatural
desires”. By this mean, to men and desires to unnatural sin called sodomy that dishonor the
human nature. Example of this are idolatry and infidelity just like what happened in Sodom
arose from idleness and fullness of bread committed in the sight of God. “serve as an example”
Sodom and Gomorrah, Egypt, false teachers, antichrist and to all who reject the Gospel’s
revelation just as to going after flesh are examples of whom will be destroyed by fire from
heaven. “by undergoing or punishment of eternal fire”. Sodom by this verse was judged already
with the judgment of hell and men of it have no part or portion in the world to come and will
not see the world to come. Them who are wicked will be burning in eternal fire, being now
brimstone, salt and burning.
Personal Commentary
Verse 8
Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at naught dominion,
and rail at dignities.
In their dreamings ... Any, or all, of a number of things could have been meant by this. "Idle
speculations, impractical and unrealistic thoughts, "certain visions they had received, divine
revelations they claimed to have had, or simply that, "their thoughts, whether awake or asleep,
were impure, sensual, evil. Whatever the exact meaning, all of their activity was directed to a
single objective, that of defilement, whether self-pollution, or the corruption of others, or
both.Set at naught dominion ... All dominion belongs to God, as stated the benediction; and the
evil teachers rejected God's authority. Their sins were threefold: they defile, reject, and
revile.Rail at dignities ... The New Catholic Bible states that this word dignities "is understood as
referring to angels. There could be a clue in this reference to their speaking evil of angels as to
the type of heresy current when Jude wrote. On the surface, it seems incredible, almost, that
any person, no matter how evil, would indulge in blasphemous remarks against the holy angels;
and yet evil men today speak evil of the Son of God who is higher in glory and power than any
angel. The style of evil speaking has changed a bit, but the sin is the same as always. The word
Jude used here is also translated "majesties" or "glories"; and the sin is covered by the
prohibition, no matter which "glory" is reviled. The theory behind their reviling angels could
have been Docetism. "Docetists held all angels in contempt because they supposed angels
helped God in creating the material universe, and that they (the angels) were thereby spiritually
defiled.
Coffman's Commentary
Yet in like a manner these people also relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority
and blasphemen the glorious ones.
Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh This could be
understood to be false teachers in Jude's or apostle time of their filthy dreams. The false
teachers are ethe dreamers and the false doctrines are the dreams. Those doctrines of man
oppose the Trinity of person's in the Godhead, that contradict the deity and sonship of Christ
are contrary to the free grace of God. These doctrines arise from dark understanding and
fictions of their own brain os imagination illusion and deceits. "Defile the flesh" since they are
lookedas followers of the dictates of the corrupt nature example is unclean practices. "Reject
authority" Denying the government of the world by God or either denying the Dominion or
kingly power of Jesus Christ. They chose rather the anarchy and confusions. "And blaspheme
the glorious ones." Understood to be either angels, glorious creatures, thrones, Dominion or
ecclesiastical governor's, who are in the lightest place in the church. False teachers are the
disturbers of churches and dangerous to the government.
Personal Commentary
Verse 9
But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of
Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Barclay's summary of the meaning of this whole verse is excellent: "If the greatest of good
angels refused to speak evil of the greatest of evil angels, even in circumstances like that, then
surely no human being may speak evil of any angel. It is absolutely unnecessary to suppose that
Jude was here quoting from Philo, or the apocryphal book of Enoch, or Josephus, or "The
Assumption of Moses," nor any one of half dozen alleged "sources." The last clause of this verse
is a quotation from the Old Testament book of Zechariah 3:2; and we may be certain that the
rest of this verse is just as authentic as the last clause. It is helpful to remember that the writer
of this epistle had been reared in the same family with Jesus Christ our Lord, having had more
than a quarter of a century of the most intimate association with the Lord, and that such a
statement as is found in this verse undoubtedly reflects the Saviour's own supernatural
wisdom. It should not disturb anyone that the kernel of truth mentioned here was endlessly
vulgarized and extended in an apocryphal book. Michael the archangel ... If Jude had been
thinking of the book of Enoch here, he would certainly have written, "Michael, one of the
archangels," for that book names seven: "Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Saragaej, Gabriel, and
Remiel. The word "archangel" occurs only in this verse and in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 in the New
Testament; and it is quite likely that there is only one archangel, namely, Michael. "There can
be properly only one archangel, one chief, or head of all the angelic host. Other glimpses we
have of Michael in the Bible always show him as the head singular of the holy angels, as in
Daniel 10:13,21, and Daniel 12:1, and also in Revelation 12:7. Jude's usage of the term
"archangel" is fully in keeping with this view, being certainly opposed to the apocryphal notions
of a whole order of archangels. All of the diligence of scholars to find the source of Jude's letter
in the shameful book of Enoch (not even in the Apocryphal section of the Catholic Bible) border
very closely upon a denial of his inspiration. What is indicated in Jude's words here is that there
was conflict between Michael and Satan over the body of Moses; we may surmise (and it is only
that) that perhaps Satan wanted to use the body for purposes like the worship of relics in
succeeding ages. At any rate, the lesson is, THE archangel did not bring a railing accusation
against the devil himself, saying, "The Lord rebuke thee" (Zechariah 3:2). How strange it is that
mortal, weak, ignorant, vile and sinful men would rail against heavenly beings, a thing which
the archangel would not do, even though apparently having the right to have done so.
Coffman's Commentary
"But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil was disputing about the body of
Moses he did presume to pronnounce a blasphemous judgment but said "The Lord rebuke you"
But when the archangel Michael. Archangel Michael is not created angel but as external one
because of the name Michael which signifies "who is as God" the Prince of angel for Chriat is
the head of all principality and power. "Contending with the devil was disputing about the body
of Moses." It is to show that the law of Moses was restored in the time of Joshua, the high
priest, by Ezra and Nehemiah. Joshua breaks some of His laws and is changed by Satan as guilty,
who contented and insisted upon it that he should suffer for it. So that this dispute or
contention might concerning on the body of Moses which is the law which Joshua had broken
in which dispute Michael or the angel of the Lord even the Lord Jesus Christ himself. "He did
not presume to pronounce the blasphemous judgment". He was afraid of the devil even though
archangel Michael could give harder and harsh words yet he chose not to do it and presume
not to pronounce any evil. "And he said,"The Lord rebuke you" Has connection for the malice
and insolence. This passage was used by Jesus also in the wilderness even in temption in his
agong in the garden. Evn though He is indeed greater than tdevul, He did not choose to give
railing and just pronounce "The Lord rebuke you".
Personal Commentary
Verse 10
But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like
the creatures without reason, in these things they are destroyed.
these rail ... Fools rush in where the archangel did not dare to go, human stupidity in such
conduct reaching some kind of a summit.And what they understand naturally ... Far from
having any superior wisdom, these licentious Gnostics were totally blind to all of the highest
knowledge; and the things which they could not help knowing, such as their passions, they used
only for the purpose of sinning.They are destroyed ... This may be understood both in the
present and the prophetic tenses. People engrossed in sensuality are already destroyed; and
that present destruction is likewise the prophecy of eternal ruin as well.
Coffman's Commentary
But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand and they are destroyed by all that
they, like unreasoning animals understand instinctively".
But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand. It is conveyed as to putting false
glasses on the word of God and so to the parts of the Scriptures, to the law of which they do
not understand and therefore blaspheme it by not living according to it or by denying it to be of
God or to be justification or salvation. They despise the Gospel, the doctrines and ordinances of
it. "And they are destroyed for all that they" It is destroying their souls and bodies and so shall
be destroyed by corrupting "like unreasoning animals understand instinctively". Man is
originally had a large share of natural knowledge but there is knowledge that is impaired also
called as sensitive knowledge in man just like animals or brute beasts.
Personal Commentary
Verse 11
Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for
hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.
Glancing above at the preceding verses, it will be noted that Jude gave three examples of
apostasy: the ancient Israelites, the rebel angels, and the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
(Jude 1:1:5-7). Next, he indicted the licentious Gnostic heretics as just as guilty as the ancient
apostates, emphasizing their sinful and ignorant behaviour by contrasting it with the restraint
of the archangel Michael (Jude 1:1:8-9), these two verses being somewhat of a parenthetical
note. He returned to the indictment of the wicked men in Jude 1:1:10; but in this (Jude 1:1:11),
he equates and compares their conduct with the wickedness of three of the worst Old
Testament apostates: Cain, Balaam, and Korah.Cain ... Balaam ... Korah ... Jude assumed that his
readers were thoroughly familiar with the Old Testament events associated with these three
names of infamy; and we shall do our readers the courtesy of making the same assumption
with regard to them. For those who would like to "brush up a bit," the narratives of Cain
(Genesis 4), Balaam (Numbers 22-24), and Korah (Numbers 16) are among the most interesting
records in Scripture. Jude's reason for the choice of these three examples might have been
lodged in the spectacular punishments they received. Cain was cursed of God; Balaam was
found dead with God's enemies fighting against Israel, and Korah was swallowed up by an
earthquake that split open the earth, taking Korah and all of his company to their death. The
lesson is that a grievous punishment will be meted out to wicked men. Another reason for the
selection of these three was also probably that of their sins being similar to the sins of the
wicked Gnostics. Like Cain, they were innovators with a fierce hatred of any who rejected their
ideas. Like Balaam, they were greedy, covetous, and willing to do any dishonorable thing
whatever for the sake of money. Like Korah, they rebelled against God's appointed authorities,
the sacred apostles, prophets and teachers of the new covenant, just as Korah had rebelled
against Moses. Still another possible purpose in using the example of Cain derived from the
need to refute the Ophites, called also Cainites. Bruce has this on that evil system:In the early
days of Christianity there was one heretical (Gnostic) group which actually venerated Cain and
his successors as champions of right, and claimed to be akin to him "and to the men of Sodom
and Esau and Korah" (as Epiphanius informs us)There is further discussion of this above, under
1 John 3:12, where Cain was cited as an example of wickedness. Also see above, under 2 Peter
2:15, where Balaam was similarly cited. Apparently, all three of these, Cain, Balaam, and Korah
were considered to be especially notorious sinners, and frequently referred to as examples and
warnings.
Coffman's Commentary
Wow to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of
gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion."
Wow to them. It is conveyed as denunciation of deserved punishment. This might have related
to Arabic version prefaces addressed to saints. "Oh my beloved". This could be a greeting
before a caution or instruction. "For they walked in the way of Cain" Cain was set an example
here because his life was full of envy. He envied his brother's gift. This man whom is being
referred are like Cain because they depise what gifts were bestowed to them and the success of
their labors. The way of Cain was hatred and that murder his brother. These men hated their
brethren and murder the souls of men because of their false doctrine. Another way of Cain was
the absence of the presence of God or lack of God's worship and son as these men who walked
out from the church and separated themselves from the Lord. "And abandoned themselves for
the sake of gain Balaam's error, Balaam was guilty and admitted of his error of love for money
which is the root of all evil, bane of religion and source of heresy and of heaven. This error of
Balaam led others into idolatry and adultery. Balaam is one of the four private persons who
according to the Jews shall have no part or potion in the world to come. The false teachers
were both guilty of themselves and taught others. "And perished in Korah's rebellion". This is
related to Korah who is against Moses which was gainsaying God's own ordinance and
contradiction of what is good for men. This is similar to Korag gainsayed Aaron so the men will
oppose to minister of Christ. There is a type and example of their destination and shall never
have part in the world to come.
Personal Commentary
Verse 12
These are they who are hidden rocks in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds
that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn
trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Hidden rocks in your love-feasts ... The metaphor appears to be a sunken shoal, or reef, upon
which the unwary mariner might suffer shipwreck. Love-feasts ... The love-feast mentioned
here "still appears to be one with the eucharistic assembly," and therefore not the type which
was mentioned by Tertullian as continuing into the fourth century. This, according to Robinson,
suggests something near a mid-century date (61-62 A.D.) for Jude. Essential to the success of
these evil poachers in the Lords' vineyard was the secret and stealthy modus operandi which
attended their operations.Shepherds that without fear feed themselves ... Like everything else
in his letter, Jude here drew this from the Old Testament example of "shepherds that feed
themselves" (Ezekiel 34). Ezekiel called them "fat cattle" who abuse the flock of God, fouling
their food with refuse, etc.; as some would say today, "They were fat cats, living in luxury while
impoverishing others." Clouds without water ... Note that this is a metaphor drawn from the
arid area of Judaea, perfectly ordinary, and universally known. Clouds without water were a
terrible disappointment to people who needed rain most of the time.Carried along by winds ...
similar cloud metaphor having the meaning of instability. Now one may see such a cloud; then
he doesn't. That was the way it was with the false teachers.Autumn trees without fruit ... The
autumn trees here were those which normally bore their fruit in the autumn. Fruit time was
disappointment time for those who looked to barren trees.Twice dead, plucked up by the roots
... In a sense, an unfruitful, or barren tree, was "dead"; but, when it had already been grubbed
up from the earth, it was "doubly dead." "Spiritually, these men were twice dead in having
returned after baptism to the death of sin. Many have likewise identified this as parallel with
such passages as Hebrews 6:4-7.
Coffman's Commentary
" These are the hidden reefs at your love feast, as they feast with you without fear, shepherd
feeding themselves, waterless cloud swept along by winds, fruitless tress in late autum, twice
dead uprooted"
These are the hidden reefs at you lone feast " There was sxistence of agape of the primitive
Christians that promote brotherly love, these happend the refreshing of poor saints by praying
and singing for them that filled their heart great temperance , joy and gladness but later abused
by judaizing Christians to observe passover in the temperance in eating and drinking these are
called their own acceivinh spots. " as they feast with you this shows that they are among them,
passover the communion with carrying in it a kid of reproof to the saints " shepherds feeding
themselves. The name mention in reffering to sheperds of Israel who fed themselves not the
flock and didn't fear man nor God " waterless clouds" they are considered to be clouds without
water beacause destitute of the true grace of God , rain is from above heaven taht refreshes,
softens and fructifies wherein false teacher do not have as they are waterless cloud. " swept
along by winds" It could be satan's temptations, false teacher doctrines or lusts and passions "
fruitless tress is the late autumn" Gospel doctrones or could be the holliness and righteousness
of it resulting not to be true vine of Christ and destitute of the spirit of God. " in late autumn"
the trees are casting off their leares already just like men separating and casting themselves off
from the churches " twice dead." There are men who go to hell alive or they were dead in sin by
nature uprooted. They were externally planted by casting go them off from the judgement of
God upon them.
Personal Commentary
Verse 13
wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the
blackness of darkness hath been reserved for ever.
Wild waves of the sea ... Jude, like countless others, had visited a sea shore following a storm,
finding the beach littered and polluted by every kind of filth and trash. In addition to such
experience which it may be assumed he had, the words of the Prophet Isaiah pronounced the
metaphor for him: "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters
cast up mire and dirt" (Isaiah 57:20). A polluted beach was the perfect figure of the evil
Gnostics. Wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved for ever ...
The "wandering stars" here is a clear reference to meteorites which blaze a moment in the
night sky and then fall into darkness forever. Yes, Jude used a word which is supposed to have
meant, literally, "stars which follow no orbit" (J. B. Phillips), or "stars which have wandered off
course" (New English Bible); but Jude was undeniably writing metaphorically. Trees cannot be
"twice dead"; oceans do not foam up "shame"; and stars do not "wander." There is hardly
anyone alive who has not used exactly the same metaphor Jude used here, in such a remark as
"I saw ashooting star!" Stars do not "shoot"; in fact, neither the people who mention such
observations, nor Jude in this letter, had any reference whatever to "stars" in the technical
sense (although using technical terms), but to drifting fragments in space which, being trapped
by the earth's atmosphere, blaze gloriously for a moment and then perish forever. Stars? No.
Meteorites is the technical word. It would be just as honest to accuse one who mentioned a
"shooting star" of actually believing a star had fallen upon earth, as it is to load Jude's humble
and simple meaning here with a lot of Greek astronomy. One fears that the translators have
been translating Enoch here, instead of the letter of Jude. We appreciate the words of J. B.
Mayor who admitted that "shooting star" would "fit better" in this passage. Indeed it would; for
that is exactly what the passage means. Those evil men who troubled the church were just like
"shooting stars" that shine a moment and then plunge to doom and darkness. Like his knowing
of clouds, winds, sea shore, and fruitless trees, the knowledge of this nocturnal phenomenon
was Jude's by his own personal observation and experience. It is absolutely gratuitous to drag
Enoch into this verse.
Coffman's Commentary
" wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame wandering stars for whom the
gloomnof utter darkness has been reserved forever"
Wild waves of the sea are refered to false teachers because of their swelling pride and vanity.
Cashing up the foam of their own shame is conveying that the wrathful words, and fifthy
doctrines taht ends to uncleanliness and shame. Wandering stars, because they are comparable
to stars that blaze for a while but wander because they mere setted in the principals of God and
will soon become falling stars. For whom the gloom of utter darkness has been rwserved
forever " His only apostle the dreadful nature of their punishment the gloom of utter darkness
which. is already reserved for the day.
Personal Commentary
Verse 14
And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold the Lord
came with ten thousands of his holy ones,
And to these ... "These" are the false teachers, the evil men about whom God has already given
a number of prophetic messages, in such events as his punishing the Israelites, destroying the
cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and in the punishments like those which befell Cain, Balaam and
Korah; and, in addition to all that, "also" Enoch made a prophecy.Enoch, the seventh from
Adam ... Well, here at last we have "Enoch." This is the first and only reference to him in this
letter, and this verse is the only thing in Jude that may fairly be connected with him. Jude's use
of Enoch's prophecy stamps that prophecy as the gospel truth, but it does absolutely nothing
for the apocryphal "Book of Enoch," rightfully rejected as having no canonical value, and being
quite ridiculous, fanciful, and false. As the footnote in the Catholic Bible says, "The Book of
Enoch is apocryphal. St. Jude does not here approve the entire book, but only this prophecy.
The false book of Enoch was widely known in apostolic times, and it was quite natural that Jude
would have referred to the famous prophecy allegedly made by Enoch. It could be that Jude, by
singling out this prophecy as true, meant that the Biblical character Enoch indeed uttered it,
which for all anyone knows may be the truth; but that meaning is not at all mandatory. It was
likely merely the manner of identifying the prophecy, which Jude attributed to its alleged
source, instead of reference to a book of so many errors. Another New Testament parallel of
exactly this procedure by Paul himself is that of his quoting the prophet Epimenides the pagan
writer, calling him "one of your own prophets," and recalling his line that, "Cretans are always
liars" (Titus 1:12). Should it be inferred, then, that Paul "borrowed" the book of Titus from the
pagan prophet? It is exactly that kind of logic that ascribes two thirds of Jude to the apocryphal
book of Enoch. Paul also quoted heathen poets and an inscription from a heathen monument in
his famed address in the city of Athens (Acts 17), approving of neither by so doing.Before
leaving the question of Enoch's having been a true prophet of God (we are not referring to the
book of Enoch), it might be well to recall that Enoch "walked with God" in a very intimate
fashion, that he was translated, not even tasting of death, and that he named his son
Methuselah, bearing the prophetic meaning of "he dieth, and the
Coffman's Commentary
“It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the
Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones”
Enoch is the son of Jared that signifies one “instructed” or “trained up”. And he is the
seventh from Adam by which there are seven generations already. Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan,
Mahalaleel, Jared and Enoch. He is prophesied that says that of something about the Messiah
which the false teachers are afraid of. Enoch wrote a prophecy which the book of Enoch. Enoch
wrote a prophecy which the book of Enoch was in full credit with the Jews that was handed
down from age to age. The prophecy of him is also called “Apocalypse of the Enoch” that Jude
took not of this but by tradition. “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones.
Jesus is being referred when it says “Lord” whom is ordained the judge of living and dead
because He is omnipotent and omniscient to judge the world in righteousness and when Jude
said “with ten thousands of his holy ones” it means even the souls of glorified saints which will
come with Christ and will reunite with their bodies and all the angels.
“Behold”, we are conveying this of the Jesus Christ our Lord’s coming.
Personal Commentary
Verse 15
to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness
which they have ungodly wrought, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have
spoken against him.
This prophecy came quite early in human history; and there is no sacred writer, no apostle, no
prophet, and not even the Lord himself, who exercised his ministry, except in the shadow of
this promise of a day of judgment when God will settle his accounts with the wicked men who
have despised him. The fact of this prophecy colors every page of the Bible; and he is a vain and
willful sinner indeed who dares to order his life as if this were not the truth.Execute judgment
... This phrase occurs "only here and in John 5:27"; but significantly, in John it occurs upon the
lips of Jesus Christ himself.Of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him
... There is no possibly summary of these that could be given. They are as extensive and
voluminous as all the libraries of earth combined. Train loads of books pour out of great
publishing houses every month, being directed in a large part, against God, against the Bible,
against Christianity, against all truth and righteousness. This characteristic engagement of
wicked men in speaking against God manifested itself in a particularly venomous and
unreasonable degree during the personal ministry of God in the flesh, Jesus our Lord; and, in
this series, we have compiled a list of some 23 vicious lies and slanders that were launched
against Christ by evil men.
Coffman's Commentary
To execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of
ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that
ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
“To execute judgment on all”. We mean by this are the living and dead, small or great,
no matter if you are rich or poor, good or bad that everyone will be equally judge in most strict
and righteousness manner. “and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that
they have committed in such an ungodly way”. We mean that the ones who are without God,
those who doesn’t love for Him, who do not worship Him and fear Him and worshipping Him,
falsely will be convicted by their own consequences that is both against the law and the Gospel
which they practiced publicly. “and of al the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken
against Him” If we are against Him, we are against God, his perfections, purposes, word, and
also against to our Jesus Christ who will come to judge those who are against his righteousness,
truths and ordinances.
Personal Commentary
Verse 16
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great
swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage.
Bennett's comment on this verse is:"When it was safe to do so, they blustered and bullied, and
played the superior person, but they cringed to rich men, and flattered them for the sake of
dinners and presents. Another analysis of this verse was given by Wallace which pointed out
the numerous charges against the evil men enumerated in this single verse: (1) they are
grumblers; (2) they are complainers; (3) they are malcontents; (4) their sole guide is their lusts;
(5) they are noisy boasters; and (6) all that they do is directed to procuring some personal
benefit for themselves. How many on earth today are described by this same analysis?
Coffman's Commentary
“These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-
mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage”
“These are grumblers”. It is referring that our filthy and false in doing that we can
compare to false teachers that are against to God and also to men. They are against to God’s
existence, to His being and sovereignty over all. They are against to God and also against the
doctrine and ordinance of Gospel. They have become against men also because they do not
follow the civil law and also against to their neighbors and envy them. “malcontents” this word
refers to false contents they are having. They are against with what happen to their life but do
not complain with what actions they are showing. They do corruptions and sin to religion and
are always known for complaining. “Following their own sinful desires” This means they are
more of worldly things. “They are loud-mouthed boasters” They are boast in knowledge that
they wanted to have the same level with God with their vain and empty doctrines. “Showing
favoritism to gain advantage” They are the ones who flatter others with wealth and riches for
the sake of money. They show favoritism and please people to make gain of them.
Personal Commentary
Verse 17
But ye, beloved, remember ye the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of
our Lord Jesus Christ;
Jude in this may have had reference to 2 Peter 3:2, where almost the same sentiments are
similarly expressed. Some have tried to make the language here mean that the age of the
apostles was past when this was written; but Robinson pointed out that, "This need not imply
the end of the apostolic age," going on to add that the phrase "our apostles" was used by
Clement. Also, "The phrase itself is compatible with the apostolic age. The words which have
been spoken ... There is no need to inquire whether this means "written words" or "spoken
words"; for apostles were still living when this was written, and it could have been, and
probably was, both. What is truly significant here, as it regards dating the letter, is that the
apostles of Christ at the time were not contrasted with any such officials as later rose in the
church; but they stand here as the only authority appealed to, a condition that points squarely
at the early 60's or earlier.
Coffman's Commentary
“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus
Christ”
“But you must remember, beloved” This could also mean remember my brethren is
used to distinguish us from the false teachers that we should always be aware and remember
that “the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” These predictions of the apostles
are not doctrines but all the prophecy from the apostles which they delivered. We are warned
about the false teachers that should arise Jude included himself to the apostles about this
warning that we are told to preserve our faith and avoid the error from the false teaching.
Personal Commentary
Verse 18
that they said to you, In the last time there shall be mockers, walking after their own
ungodly lusts.
As we noted, the apostle Peter likewise prophesied of the scoffers who would make light of the
truth; and, from what Jude wrote here, it may be inferred that all of the apostles gave the same
teaching.In the last time ... Carl Henry, writing in Christianity Today, understood the New
Testament to teach that in the years immediately before the Second Advent, the true faith,
"once for all delivered" will be "boycotted as if it were heresy, and the sole surviving heresy at
that. Rose stressed that for people committed to godlessness in their personal lives, who made
light of all authority, who foamed out their own shame, and spoke blasphemously and
contemptuously of heavenly persons" - Such as they, would naturally laugh at the idea of a
judgment to come."[48]“They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their
own ungodly passions.”
Coffman's Commentary
This was from the second letter of Peter wherein it has been told that in the last days,
there would exist mockers that will mock and scoff to all religion and included here is the
Scriptures of truth, the God that Father and Christ the son. Mockers there exist already that
apostles’ time so it was already the last time being told to us by the passage, that second
coming of Christ is still coming near where it will be a remarkable day for the scoffers.
“Following their own ungodly passions”. They who are following their desires to the world while
casting away the law of the God and Lord rather they focus on their ungodly desires to fleshly
lusts making it govern their whole life and continue on sinning and doing ungodly passions.
Personal Commentary
Verse 19
These are they who make separations, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Who make separations ... They make separations, by separating themselves from the true
church, and by inducing others to do so likewise. The rest of the verse means that, "They live as
brute beasts, guided simply by their lusts and passions, their Bible being the manifold devices
and covetousness of their own hearts. Having not the Spirit ... The blessed Spirit, long having
been grieved, insulted, resisted, lusted against, and at last "quenched" by themselves, such
men were no longer capable of any goodness whatever. This capacity for evil men to become,
in some vital sense, actually sub-human was discussed in my Commentary on Romans, pp. 39-
45; and we cannot but be impressed with this further evidence of such a phenomenon. Mayor
observed it in these comments: "The false teachers were so absorbed in the lower sensuous
nature that they no longer possessed, in any real sense of the word, that element in man's
compound being, which is itself spiritual, and capable therefore of communion with the Divine
Spirit. IIt is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit
Coffman's Commentary
“It is these who cause divisions”. These are the ones who are sinners because they
separate themselves to the will and word of God to the mind and practice of Jesus Christ. These
are falsely worshipping the false doctrines and are also not following the will of only notice and
government they rather follow the heresy and errors. They are profanely separating through
pride and affection of vain glory. “Worldly people” They are the people wo loves the lusts and
pleasures of the world that do not have spiritual and experimental knowledge. “Devoid of the
Spirit” They are without the Holy Spirit that give faith and comfort, sanctification and pledge of
the heavenly glory. They are not under the Spirit’s influence with the communion and grace
with him and appeared not to Christ’s.
Personal Commentary
Verse 20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
Building up yourselves ... If we followed the pattern in works of this kind, three or four pages
should be inserted here explaining how "there is not anything you can do to be saved," "it is all
of grace, and none of works," "no man can be his own Saviour," etc., etc. While such views
certainly have a kernel of truth in them, provided it is properly understood, this is certainly the
wrong place to rally a corpus of teaching designed to undercut and nullify what the sacred
writer said here. And what did he say? That Christians are to build themselves up on their most
holy faith! No New Testament author was afraid to stress what people must themselves do if
they hope to receive salvation. On Pentecost, Peter said, "Save yourselves from this crooked
generation." Paul wrote that people should "work out their own salvation." All such teachings,
including this before us, have the effect of stressing the things people are commanded to do,
with the sacred implication, that if they refuse to comply with the instructions upon which
God's grace is to be appropriated, their failure to comply is a forfeiture of the grace. The need
on the part of humans to obey God's teaching is in no manner incompatible with the
conception that no man can earn salvation. Of course he cannot; but neither can the willfully
disobedient enter heaven. When one thinks of it, what possible use could God have for any soul
that refuses to do the things God commanded?On your most holy faith ... Either way this is
understood, whether subjectively as Christian's trust/faith, or objectively as the Christian
religion, there is a human response factor in salvation. Praying in the Holy Spirit ... Prayer as a
vital means of Christian growth and security is in sight here, including the blessed promise of
the holy earnest that aids prayer. Neglect of this vital duty may prove fatal to the neglector.
Coffman's Commentary
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.”
Beloved is also meant brethren it is used to distinguished us from the evil doers.
“Building yourselves up in your most holy faith”. Our most holy faith means it is the doctrine of
faith in all its branches that displays the holiness of God. We become to build our holy faith in
the grace of Christ. We should not be contented of what knowledge we have received but to
improve it. “Praying in the Holy Spirit” This means that we should increase our foundation to
doctrine of faith. The Holy Spirit is the author of prayer, without Him we cannot call God the
Father.
Personal Commentary
Verse 21
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto
eternal life.
Keep yourselves in the love of God ... Again the human response factor is stressed, the meaning
here being exactly what it was in Jude 1:1:20, "keeping oneself in the love of God" being one
and the same thing with obeying God's commandments, as extensively taught in the Johannine
literature, above. Summarizing the admonitions of these verses, what Jude commanded, or
rather pleaded that the faithful should do, we have this: (1) work at your faith; (2) give constant
attention to prayer; (3) receive, cultivate and cherish the indwelling Spirit; (4) keep yourselves
in God's love through strict obedience to his will; and (5) wherein one is frustrated or
discouraged by failures (and there will be failures); (6) look unto the mercy of the Lord Jesus
Christ who will save the last unworthy one of us if we give him half a chance to do so!Eternal
life ... Notice that this is preceded by "unto," indicating that in some vital aspects of it, we do
not now have eternal life; but this is not to deny John's great promises regarding this; because
they may be fully understood as our actual possession of eternal life, in the sense of having the
blessed promise of it, the assurance of it, the earnest of it, and the vital, living hope of it.
Coffman's Commentary
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to
eternal life.”
It is meant either the grace and favor of God in loving God. We exercise faith on it and
to meditate on ourselves through preserving our minds and hearts by the love of God to
overcome Satan’s temptations, the worldly desires and lusts. We are called to the peace of God
that which He requires. It is through Him that we will experience true love. “waiting for the
mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life so we should look for the mercy even
though it is given because Jesus will have second time in coming. We are obliged to look for by
faith, love, delight, pleasure, cheerfulness yet with patience.
Personal Commentary
Verse 22
And on some have mercy, who are in doubt; and some save, snatching them
out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the
flesh.
The difficult Greek of this passage has challenged scholars for ages; and, even today, there is no
unanimity on how it should be rendered. The problem is the exact arrangement of the clauses
so as to convey the right meaning, and the difficulty of understanding exactly how the word
[Greek: diakrinomai] should be translated,
whether "make a difference" (KJV), or "be in doubt" (the English Revised Version (1885), New
English Bible (1961)). Our own version (ASV) chooses one of threeother possible renditions. The
importance of all this lies in the number of classes of people in view. In KJV, and ASV, it seems
that there are three; but only two are visible in English Revised Version and New English
Bible.In such cases as this, there is no certain manner of being absolutely right about it; but
Bruce's opinion would appear to be sound:"I think that most probably two classes are
envisaged. Those who are responsible for maintaining due order in the churches must use
different methods toward those who persist in inculcating subversive and immoral doctrine and
those who have been misled by false teachers. The following rendition from New English Bible
(1961) is based upon the same view: "There are some doubting souls who need your pity;
snatch them from the flames and save them. There are others for whom your pity must be
mixed with fear; hate the very clothing that is contaminated with sensuality.Snatch them from
the flames of fire ... is metaphorical, meaning "rescue them, as you would someone from a
burning building."Pity mixed with fear ... The subversives are indicated in this. No fellow-being
lost in sin is otherwise than an object of pity in the hearts of Christians; but the danger to
Christians themselves who might attempt to rescue some in this group is real and threatening.
Regardless of Christian pity for some of the lost, there must be fear in attempting their rescue,
a fear commanded in this verse; and the omission of the words "save them" in the second
clause, as well as the hatred of their very "clothing" which is enjoined, falls short of any
apostolic edict that any rescue at all should be attempted in the case of some. The great words
of Jesus concerning the blind guides was "Let them alone!" And there are overtones of those
words in this where pity is commanded, but rescue is not. We can only pray that we have not
been misled in following the New English Bible (1961) in this verse.
Coffman's Commentary
Mercy is a thing that the world needed right now and those who also doubt should feel
the mercy so we children of God should be compassion to our fellow because God is
compassion as well as Jesus Christ, the merciful high priest. We are the instrument that is used
by God to make others repent yet we should show compassion to them that compassion has
been shown to them and they may want it again. It is important to show concern for all whom
who did not good, praying with them and for them with affection, giving them friendly and
brotherly treatment.
Personal Commentary
Verse 23
”Save others”
This passage means we should save our brothers from the errors of the false doctrines of false
teachers by denouncing the awful judgment of God and declaring the terrors of the Lord.
“snatching them out of the fire”. We should destroy their doctrines, the filthy and unnatural
lusts as if it is in hell of fire with great danger. “Show mercy with fear” We show them
compassion yet the warning of those who doubt and denies Him. “Hating even the garments
stained by the flesh” We should hate their doings especially if its wrong but ye that doesn’t
mean that we are not in saving them. Garments will be ourselves in front of the judgment day
that everyone of us should not have stained of flesh at all.
Personal Commentary
Verse 24
THE BENEDICTION
Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of
his glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ
our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and forevermore.
Amen.
Rose remarked that, "If Jude is known or noticed at all by churchgoers, it is because of the
frequent use of Jude 1:1:24,25," in such things as the benediction. To this writer, this
benediction instantly brings to mind Ike Thorne (a faithful deacon from the Central Church of
Christ, Houston, Texas, a retired member of Plasterers' Labor Union, and truly a wonderful
person.) who frequently dismissed the congregation with his immense, stentorian voice,
booming out the awesome words of this magnificent passage, using no other words except
these. One feels sure that many others have similar recollections.Unto him that is able to guard
you from stumbling ... If Christians heed the instructions of their Lord and walk in the light as he
is in the light, they will not “ Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present
you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy”
Coffman's Commentary
Those who can avoid to commit sin and stumbling Into things that are wrong he will give
pleasure and joy from the throne of God who will attain good things to him keep yourself in the
love of God, looking foe the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. God which gave
them me is a greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my father and hand. I and
my father are one what shall we them say to these things if God be for us who can be against us
Personal Commentary
Verse 25
“ to the only one God our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, dominion
and authority, before all the time and now and forever”
Only God can manifold are God works wisdom, God can only create all these things in this
earth, God are wise that can made them all. Our Lord is great and very powerful He can
understand everything. The things that God decide are very great, They are greater than
anyone can explain, no human can understand how God does things . Lord Jesus Christ are
greater and more beautiful than anyone else. You can do anything you van beat anyone
because of Him. Lord is our king and everything in heaven and on earth is your, Lord have a
great kingdom and you are over everyone and over everything . God is source of everything
before all the time and now forever, God is our author of our life, God is most powerful on the
Universe, powerful of all things.
Personal Commentary