The Book of Jude - Tom Elseroad


Book 65 - New Testament Book of Jude - King James Version

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The Book of Jude
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SEE "THE BOOK OF JUDE SECTIONED"

Verse 1

JUDE, a bond-servant (dou¾loV) of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called (klhtoiV), beloved in God the Father, and kept (tethrhmenoiV, having been kept) for Jesus Christ: --(NASB).

Jude, the servant (dou¾loV) of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified (hJgiasmenoiV, having been set apart) by God the Father, and preserved (tethrhmenoiV, having been kept) in Jesus Christ, and called: (klhtoiV) --(AV).

SEE "EXPANDED IN GREEK.DOC"

The entire Godhead is included in Jude’s salutation: The Father loves, the Spirit calls, the Son preserves.

beloved (hjgaphmevnois, "having been loved"), the perfect passive participle suggests that they were not only once but continued to be the objects of God’s love.

Some have claimed that Jude is only a pen name. But since Jude did not have a special reputation in the early church, there would be little reason to use Jude’s name.

Jude The name Jude (Judah) means praise. Jude was a half-brother of Jesus Christ. During the ministry of Christ, His brothers did not even believe in Him.

Mark 6:3-6

³"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at Him. ⁴And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his home town and among his own relatives and in his own household." ⁵And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands upon a few sick people and healed them. ⁶And He wondered at their unbelief."

John 7:3-9

v.5 "For not even His brothers were believing in Him."

After the resurrection, James, and probably Jude also, was converted.

1 Corinthians 15:7

"then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles."

a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, Both James (1:1) and Jude, who apparently were brothers of Jesus, call themselves "bond-servants." We need to sever our physical family ties when they take a side contrary to our Lord. "If anyone does not hate mother…" The way that Jude was able to sever his relationship with Jesus (his half brother) is like the way we must do it if necessary. Our physical family may fail, but Chrst will not.

and brother of James, James was another brother of Jesus. He was the leader of the church in Jerusalem.

To those who

Who Did Jude Write To?
Jews	The historical references to OT incidents suggest the readers were familiar with these writings.
Gentiles	The Jewish coloring of the epistle is simply because Jude was a Jew, and used examples based on his knowledge.
	The evils dealt with in the book are more likely from converts from heathenism than from Judaism.

beloved in God the Father, the AV address them as "sanctified" (gr. hgiasmenoiV, set apart).

kept (tethrhmenoiV, having been kept) for Jesus Christ. The verb points forward to Christ’s return.

kept (tethrhmenoiV)

This verb is used four times in this epistle.

v. 1, (tethrhmevnoiV) kept for Jesus Christ

v. 6, (ththvrhken) reserved in everlasting chains

v. 13, (tethvrhtai) is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

v. 21, (thrhvsate) keep yourselves in the love of God

Relationship	Fellowship
Cannot change	Can change

Jude deals so much with sin and judgment that he at the outset details the believer’s "relationship" in the plan of God. God will keep us safe for all eternity.

Contrast Kept for Glory and Judgment
Kept for glory (vs.1, 24)	Kept for judgment (vs.6, 15)
v.1, the called are preserved in Jesus Christ. v.24, God keeps us from stumbling.	v.6, angels are reserved unto the judgment of the great day. V.15, judgment upon the ungodly.
God is preserving His children for glory.	God is preserving the falling angels and the ungodly apostates for judgment.

Verse 2

May mercy and peace and love be multiplied (plhqunqeivh, may increase) to you.

May…be multiplied (plhqunqeivh, may increase [see 1 Pe.1:2]), The aorist passive optative is used to express a wish. "…May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure." –1 Pe.1:2. In contrast with those who knew nothing of God’s mercy, peace, and love.

mercy (e[leoV), God, in His mercy, does not give us what we deserve. God gave our punishment to Christ on the cross. Mercy is rare in a greeting.

peace (eijrhnh), The unsaved is at war with God. When we believe in Christ the war ends and we receive God’s peace.

Romans 5:1	"THEREFORE having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"
There is a connection between faith and having peace.

love (ajgaph), God’s love is experienced when the Holy Spirit comes into the believer’s heart. As the believer grows in his spiritual life he enters into a deeper relationship with God.

?Do you think these are "filler" words? I believe these are chosen words based on the theme of the book.

Jude	Paul
mercy	grace
peace	mercy
love	peace
Jude 1	2 Ti. 1:2
This is a distinctly Semitic trilogy. This is similar to Paul

Verse 3

Beloved, while I was making every (pa¾san, all) effort (spoudh;n, haste) to write you about our common (koinh¾V) salvation (swthrivaV), I felt the necessity (ajnavgkhn, needful) to write to you appealing (parakalw¾n, exhorting, urge) that you contend earnestly (ejpagwnivxesqai, agonize) for the faith which was once for all delivered (paradoqeivsh/, to be entrusted with) to the saints.

The letter Jude did not write, and the one he did.

I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, Jude wanted to rejoice in the salvation that God gives us in Christ. But, instead the Holy Spirit led Jude to write against the army of evil. We do not know if Jude ever wrote his intended letter. Some have suggested that he actually started writing a first letter, but quit to write this one instead.

?Have you ever started to do something and ended up doing something else?

once for all (aJpax), It is the fixed, unrepeatable point of our faith.

once for all (aJpax)
He. 6:4	"For in the case of those who have once (aJpax) been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,"	Refers to apostates who have no hope because they rejected God’s only cure for sin, namely Calvary.
He. 10:2	"Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once (aJpax) been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?"	Refers to the fact that the old covenant failed.
1 Pe. 3:18	"For Christ also died for sins once for all (aJpax), the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;"	Refers to Christ’s death.
Jude 5	"Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all (aJpax), that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe."	Refers to the readers’ knowledge of the gospel.
It has been written beforehand. There will be no revisions, or changes.

contend earnestly (ejpagwnivxesqai, athletic term meaning "agonize") for the faith. The term "the faith" is also used in Ga.1:23; 1Ti.4:1. It refers to thing believed. It is the body of truth taught by the apostles. Hebrews 4:14 "let us hold fast our confession."

? Do we agonize for the faith? or Do we take it for granted?

delivered (paradoqeijsh, to hand over), Each Christian personally has a stewardship to fulfill. This word is used for the handing down of the authorized tradition in Israel.


1 Co.15:1-3	"¹Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which we preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, ²by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. ³For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures."
2 Th.3:6	"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us."

Jude is saying that the Christian apostolic tradition is normative for the people of God.

? If the church will not defend the truths of the Bible, where would truth be?

We should be thankful for believers through the ages who have guarded the Word of God. This should make us want to defend the faith. This does not mean to fight each other. We should speak the truth in love.

Stewardship of God’s Word
1 Th. 2:4	"but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted (pisteqh¾nai, put in trust) with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts." "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. (AV).
1 Ti. 1:11	"according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted (episteuvqhn)."
2 Ti. 2:2	"And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust (paraqou, commit) to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."
Jude 3	"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."

?What can we do to maintain the unity and purity of the church?

ANSWER: (1) Know the Word of God (2) Have the courage to defend it. (3) Be alert for false doctrine or sin.

?What are the fundamental doctrines of the church?

ANSWER: E.g., Faith alone, in Christ alone.

?Are these the only doctrines to defend? ?What about tongues?

Biblical Separation
Romans 16:17-18	"¹⁷Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. ¹⁸For such are slaves not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting."
2 Timothy 2:15-18	"¹⁵Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. ¹⁶But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, ¹⁷and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and thus they upset the faith of some."
2 John 6-11	"⁶And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. ⁷For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. ⁹Any one who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰If any one comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; ¹¹for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds."
?Are these passages teaching us to separate from fellow believers? ?Even over minor doctrinal differences?

Verse 4

For certain persons (a[nqrwpoi, men) have crept in unnoticed (pareiseduvhsan, slip in along side), those who were long beforehand (pavlai, long ago) marked out (progegrammevnoi, having been previously written) for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn (metatiqevnteV, to change from one to another) the grace of our God into licentiousness (ajsevlgeian) and deny (ajrnouvmenoi, to say no to) our only (movnon) Master (despovthn, sovereign) and Lord (kuvrion), Jesus Christ.

crept in unnoticed (pareisedujhsan), this comes first in the verse placing emphasis on it. It is always more serious when errors come from within the church.

?How can they come in and us not notice it?

ANSWER: They come in by professing one thing but believing another. Liberal seminaries for instance, have many who deny many of the important tenants of the faith, and go on to be "ministers" (see 2 Co.11:13-15). It is slow and subtle.

2 Co.11:13-15	¹³For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds.
Galatians 2:4	But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.
2 Peter 2:1	But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

marked out (progegrammevnoi, having been previously written). It simply means that other writers have sounded the warning about apostates. The thought is to show that they are already doomed to punishment as enemies of God. This may refer to 2 Peter. Some OT prophecies: Is.8:19-22; Je.5:13-14). Some NT predictions: 2Th.2:6-10; 2Pe.2:3. Jude is saying that he is not telling them something new. Others have written warning of coming apostates.

Acts 20:29-30	²⁹I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
2 Ti.3:5-7	⁵holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these. ⁶For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, ⁷always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

this condemnation (to; krijma), Jude does not specify this judgment, perhaps the fresh details from 2 Peter are in their minds.

ungodly (ajsebeiV). Jude likes using this word. They claim liberty in Christ, and interpret God’s grace as license to do whatever their flesh desires. Ungodly means leaving God out of their lives. 2 Peter 2:5-6 Peter uses the same verb.

Jude’s use of "ungodly"
v. 4	Refers to an attitude of irreverence to God.
v. 15	Refers to shameless deeds.
v. 18	Refers to illicit desires.

Who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness. The idea is doing what you please, even if it offends the sensibilities of others. It is turning the grace of God into license to live as they please. Jude is warning us to not allow teaching a loose morality. What would Jesus do? is a great question to ask ourselves throughout the day.

Galatians 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

deny, One dominating characteristic of false teachers is this view of who is Christ. It could also be that their licentiousness is in fact denying Christ without any particular doctrinal error in view. In other words, this is simply not the Christian way of life. To deny is to not believe what Christ said about himself.

Old Testament Example	New Testament Example
Mixed multitude (Ex.12:37-38; Nu.11:4)	Secretly slipped in (Jd. 4)
Idolatry (Ex.32:4-6, 37)	Doctrinal: "deny the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jd. 4)
Immorality (Ex.32:37)	Moral: "turning the grace of our God into licentiousness (Jd. 4)

? What are they denying?

Practical denial		Denying Christ by their lives.
Theological denial		Denying Christ’s deity and lordship by their form of Gnosticism.
There are many facets by which to deny the deity of Christ but call Him the Savior of the world. They say He is the Savior, but not God. They will talk about God and the Lord Jesus Christ, but who and what they are they deny. E.g., JW’s.
2 Peter 2:1	"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves."

only (mojnon). ?Does he refer to the Father or to Christ?

ANSWER: Both are correct. Rejection of the unique Sonship of Jesus is a rejection of the Father Who sent him.

Ti. 1:16	"They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed."
1 Jn. 2:23	"Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also."

Gnosticism
Concept	Description	Summary
From Gr. gnwvsiV	"Knowledge." Knowledge is the way to salvation.	The possession of secrets which would ultimately serve the soul’s union with God.
Matter is evil	All matter including the body is evil.	It does not matter what a man does with his body. Knowledge meant freedom to participate in all sorts of indulgences. Or, from the same premise, denial of physical pleasures to avoid contamination.
Creation	Creation was an accident; a mistake.
God	God is spirit, separated from matter.
Dualism	God (spirit) and the world (matter) are separate. There is no contact between these two systems.
Man	Has a divine spark in his soul.	Man’s salvation is from knowledge and honoring the angelic beings who guard the spheres between God and man. Jesus is
Angels	Powers between God and man who must be honored and used as access to the higher sphere.
Jesus	Jesus did not come in the flesh. Jesus was a spirit or a lower intermediary.
Salvation	Complex system of intermediary beings. There are anti-gods, archons, and demiurge (subordinate deities). Honor to the angelic intermediaries is necessary. There is no relation to the historical OT sacrifices.
1 Jn. 4:2-3	"²By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus has come in the flesh is from God; ³and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world."	Denial of the true God and true Man, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the mark of an antichrist.
Col. 2:8-23	"⁸…philosophy and empty deception…"	Combination of reverence to angelic intermediaries, food taboos, Judaistic borrowings.
1 Ti. 1:4f	"nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies…"	Mythology and Genealogies
1 Ti. 4:3f	"men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods…"	Asceticism
Tit. 1:10-16	"¹⁴not paying attention to Jewish myths…"	Jewish fables
2 Ti. 2:16-19	"¹⁸men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place…"	Deny or spiritualization of the resurrections
2 Ti. 3:5-7	"⁵holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power…"	Pernicious moral conduct
1 Ti. 6:20	"…avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’"	Falsely called "knowledge"
1 Jn. 4:3; 2 Jn. 7	"³and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God;…" "⁷For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. …"	Deny Christ’s humanity
1 Co. 15:12	Deny the resurrections.

The Gnostics believed the earth is surrounded by cosmic spheres (usually 7), which separate God from man. These spheres are ruled by archons (spiritual rulers), who guard their spheres by preventing souls seeking to ascend to the realm of light from below. Man is in 3 parts: body, soul, and spirit. The spirit is enclosed in the soul and is asleep, needing to be awakened by knowledge. Salvation is whenever the spirit is awakened by knowledge. This knowledge releases man to ascend to the cosmic realm of light where the soul reunites with God. In order to penetrate the spheres, more knowledge is necessary.

Verse 5

Now I desire to remind (uJpomnh¾sai, to cause someone to remember) you, though you know (eijdovtaV, from oi¾da) all things (pavnta) once for all (aJpax), that the Lord, after saving (swvsaV, from swv/zw, to rescue, deliver) a people (laoV) out of the land of Egypt, subsequently (deuvteron, the second time) destroyed those who did not believe.

remind (uJpomnh¾sai, to cause someone to remember), Jude is simply reminding them of truths they already know. He does not need to write at length concerning these truths. Verses 5-7 is simply a reminder of something they must already know. He does not mention these things earlier in the epistle.

Jude Wants to Remind Them of:
v.5	Exodus
v.6	Genesis 6 (angel theory)
v.7	Genesis 19

know (eijdovtaV, from oi¾da), perfect active participle, with the idea of "although you know."

all things (pavnta). The term naturally is limited to a knowledge of all that is pertinent to the point at hand.

saving. The same one who destroyed the Israelites in verse 6 also banished the angels in verse 6. This rules out Joshua. Jesus’ name is Joshua.

a people (laoV), used without an article, thus "a people." This could indicate that not all who left Egypt were believers. There was a mixed multitude of Jews and Egyptians (Ex.12:37-38; Nu. 11:4).

subsequently (deuvteron, the second time). The possibility of lapsing faith is illustrated by Israel who were saved out of Egypt but subsequently destroyed. Jude may be thinking of Christ’s "second" coming which will seal the doom of unbelievers.

Verse 6

And angels (ajggevlouV) who did not keep (thrhvsantaV, guard) their own domain (ajpchÉn, rule), but abandoned (ajpolipovntaV, desert, forsake, to leave behind) their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great (megavlhV) day.

angels (ajggevlouV). Jude does not give us his source for this statement. Possible sources: (Ge.6:1-4) or the book of Enoch.

keep (thrhvsantaV, guard), There is a contrast between us guarding the faith, and the angels not guarding their proper domain.

? What is our "domain" to keep?

ANSWER: It is the gospel of Christ.

domain (ajpchÉn, rule, dominion, office, authority). There are two possible meanings here.

Domain of Angels
Office or Domain of Angels	Spiritual State in which they were created
That is, the sphere of rule.	Made different from humanity, and did not maintain this original state. They left their own habitation.
From the LXX of De. 32:8 each nation was thought to have its governing angel.

Angels of Jude and Genesis 6
Some see Jude teaching not only a revolt of the angels against God, but also an invasion by the angels to the earth. These are fallen angels. Genesis 6:1-4 is used to teach that "the sons of God" were fallen angels who took on human form, cohabited with the daughters of men, and produced a race of giants. This was one of the reasons God sent the flood.
General Arguments Against	Specific Details
Use of and/or the meaning of the phrase "sons of God"	The "sons of God" is a title for angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7). But this title is used for angels that are NOT fallen. Does Scripture call rebellious angels "the sons of God"? The "sons of God here are from the godly line of Seth. The "sons of God" were the god-fearing people in distinction from the godless. Chapters 4-5 make a distinction between the line of Seth and Cain. These two did not maintain their distinctiveness. The god-fearing made the move to their godless neighbors.
Reason for the Flood	God sent the flood because of what man did not the angels (See Ge. 6:3-6 "man"). If "the sons of God" are angels, God also should have been sorry for creating then as well. Verse 2 presents the transgression as on the part of the "sons of God." They saw that the women were beautiful and chose wives from among them. If "sons of God" were angels, the punishment should have been against the angels.
Use of Nephilim	Genesis 6:4 the Nephilim were already present when the "sons of God" produced children by the "daughters of men." The phrase "in those days" indicates a designation of time. Genesis 6:4, notice the phrase, "and afterward." Does this imply that there was a second invasion? (See Nu. 13:32-33)? How did the Nephilim come to be. The answer is assumed to be from the longevity of that period. There are other references to "giants": Canaan (Nu.13:33, Du.1:28); Goliath (Is.17:4), etc.
Difficulty in angels co-habitating with women	Angels do appear in human form. But this is not necessarily the same as becoming human. How can a spirit have relations with a physical being? Also it appears that Jesus taught that angels are sexless (Mt. 22:30). Some may try to limit the meaning to what the text says, i.e., "marry." Does this mean they do not go through a ceremony?
Jude’s use as an example	Phrases "just as" and "even as" does not say that the angels did what the Sodomites did, that is, going after strange flesh. The grammar is simply saying that Sodom and Gomorrah as well as the angels are examples of God’s judgment.

Why are the Angels judged?

How does this apply to us? Jude refers to it. It is an example of God’s judgment.

If "sons of God" (Ge. 6) are not angels, then what does Jude mean by "abandoned their proper abode? The angels were created to be with God in heaven. By their choice of pride and rebellion, they are no longer in their proper abode in heaven.

Genesis 6:1-6

"NOW it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, ²that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. ³Then the Lord said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." ⁴The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. ⁵Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ⁶And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart."

Genesis 6 is simply saying that the godly line of Seth ("the sons of God") began to mingle with the ungodly line of Cain.

abandoned (apolipovntaV), They set aside their spiritual body (angels theory).

SEE "SONS OF GOD.CDR"

Verse 7

Just as (wJV, even as, in a similar way) Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as (o{moion tpovpon, like manner) these (touvtois) indulged in gross immorality and went after strange (eJteras, different) flesh (sarko;V), are exhibited (provkeintai, are set forth) as an example (dei¾gma), in undergoing the punishment (divkhn, vengeance) of eternal (aijwniou) fire (puroÉV).

Sodom and Gomorrah, Generally agreed to be at the southern end of the Dead Sea. These cities are NOT in public view today. Scripture uses these cities as symbolic of divine judgment.

?How can Sodom and Gomorrah serve as an example of God’s judgment?

ANSWER: In the pages of the Word of God.

ANSWER: The fact that we cannot see them is evidence of a severe judgment.

these (touvtois) masculine, dative, plural. Since the word is masculine, some say, it cannot refer to the cities "Sodom and Gomorrah." Those of this view see "these" as referring to the "angels" of verse 6. This makes verse 7 a continuation of verse 6. Both verses would be describing the angels only. Sodom and Gomorrah would simply be the place the angels did the ungodly act.

Jude is using historical events as illustrations. We should not press every detail. E.g., The entire nation was saved from Egypt, but not every individual was personally saved through faith.

strange (eJteras, different) flesh (sarko;V), In what since is it different. Is it a different nature altogether? Or Is it different in the since of not natural?

eternal (aijwniou), Jude wants to impress on his readers that the effects are still visible for all to see now.

?Does "eternal" means without end

fire (puroÉV).

?Is this a literal fire?

?Could this be a spiritual fire?

If we are spiritual after death, then will literal fire have any effect on a spiritual body??

Verse 8 (me;n ... de;, "on the one hand…on the other hand")

Yet (JomoivwV, likewise) in the same manner these men also by dreaming (ejnupniazovmenoi) defile (miaivnousin, pollute) the flesh (savrka), and reject (ajqetou¾sin, despise, slander) authority (kuriojthta, lordship), and revile (blasfhmou¾sin, rail at, blaspheme) angelic majesties (dovxaV, lit. "glories," dignities, celestial beings).

dreaming (ejnupniazovmenoi, dreaming ones). They are unrealistic in thinking their ways will bring satisfaction.

"Dreaming" (ejnupniazovmenoi) Different Possible Meanings

These may be ecstasies where they claim to receive messages from God. –Active

Maybe it merely refers to dream in the sense of whatever comes to their minds. –Active

That they cannot distinguish between what is real and not. –Passive

That they are asleep to God’s judgment. –Passive

Jude is possibly being sarcastic here.

The way dreaming is used here, is more active than passive. They are doing something that defiles the flesh.

meÉn ... deÉ, On the one hand (they defile the flesh) and the other hand (they reject lordship).

authority (kuriovthta, lordship).

?What does it mean to reject authority?

angelic majesties (dovxaV, lit. "glories,"). It could just mean anything greater than the false teachers. It could be Christian leaders.

Jude and 2 Peter Compared
2 Peter 2	Jude
Fallen angels Noah (and the flood) Lot	Nation of Israel Fallen angels Sodom and Gomorrah
2Pe.1:2,12, 2:1-4,6, 10-12, 15-18, 3:2,3	2, 4-13, 17, 18
2 Pe.3:2-3	Jude 17-18
2 Pe.2:12	Jude 10, 12a
2 Pe.2:15-16	Jude 11
The point is that God judges apostates. These false teachers will be judged.

Verse 9

But Michael the archangel (ajrcavggeloV), when he disputed (diakrinovmenoV, contending, to take issue with) with the devil (diabovlw/) and argued (dielevgeto) about the body of Moses did not dare (ejtovlmhsen) pronounce against him a railing (blasfhmiaV, blasphemy) judgment (krivsin), but said, "The Lord rebuke you."

Michael (MicahÉl), "Who is like God."

argued (dielevgeto, from dialevgomai).

body of Moses, When Moses died the Lord buried him. We have no information where Moses’ body was buried.

Burial of Moses
De. 34:5-6	"⁵So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. ⁶And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day."

There may have been concerns that a shrine and/or idolatry would have taken place. It appears that Satan may have known where Moses was buried. Satan does have authority in the realm of death (He.2:14-15).

Satan’s Authority in Death
He.2:14-15	¹⁴Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; ¹⁵and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

The point is that Michael did not rebuke Satan, but left that up to the LORD.

? What does this say to us?

ANSWER: We have the victory of Christ—but we should not be presumptuous. Satan is a dangerous enemy.

? Are we told to resist the devil?

Resist the Devil
1 Pe.5:8-9	"⁸Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."
? What are we to conclude from Jude’s comments concerning Michael and Peter to resist?

Jude is referring to Jewish apocryphal writings. Specifically, the "Assumption of Moses," although there is no text which contains the account of the dispute between Michael and the devil over the body of Moses.

?Is Jude using an apocryphal book in an authoritative way?

ANSWER: Jude may simply be quoting oral tradition.

Jude and his Readers
Possible Options
Jude was a Jew.	He referred to Jewish writings showing that he was familiar with them.
His readers were Jews.	He referred to Jewish writings because he knew his readers would recognize the material.
Both Jude and his readers were Jews	Since Jude referred to Jewish writings and he knew his readers would understand what he referred to, both would have been Jews.

THE LORD REBUKE YOU. The Greek word for "rebuke" is optive. The idea is "may the Lord rebuke you." Michael is not rebuking the devil here.

REBUKE, This is the same word used by Jesus when He rebuked a demon possessed boy (Mt.17:18).

Some have suggested that much Hebrew history was repeated often, and that Jude is merely re-stating well-known truth.

Verse 10 (me;n ... de;, "on the one hand…on the other hand")

But these men revile (blasfhmou¾sin, blasphemy) the things which they do not understand (oi[dasin); and the things which they know by instinct (fusikw¾V, naturally), like unreasoning (a[loga, without reason) animals (zw¾/a, living creature), by these things they are destroyed (fqeivpontai, corrupted).

But these men revile the things which they do not understand. ? Have you ever met anyone like this? They have no spiritual understanding. If they do not understand something, they reject it. This is a natural, sinful act.

?What makes men do this?

ANSWER: Pride, embarrassment (lack of understanding).

revile (blasfhmou¾sin, blaspheme).

?What does it mean to blaspheme?

What does it mean to blaspheme?
1	Taking God’s name in vain. (respect).
2	Taking God’s Word lightly (word, truth).
3	Defies God to judge him (authority).

Since these men lack spiritual insight they scoff at the "glorious ones." These could simply be Christian leaders. They did not understand what was above them (angels), they only understand what was below them (animals).

they are destroyed (fqeijpontai). Those who reject God and His authority overlook the fact that there will be a judgment.

which they know by instinct (fusikw¾V, naturally). Jude is discrediting their Gnostic claim to superior knowledge.


Ec. 8:11	"Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil."

SEE "APOSTATES.DOC"

Verse 11

Woe (oujai;) to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay (misqou¾, reward) they have rushed headlong (ejxecuvqhsan, pour out, abandon oneself) into the error (plavnh/) of Balaam, and perished (ajpwvlonto) in the rebellion (ajntilogiva/, dispute, hostility) of Korah.

perished, The aorist tense is a dramatic way of saying that their fate is already settled.

Verse 11 gives Biblical analogies. Verse 12 uses natural analogies.

Biblical Analogies (v.11)
"Cain," v.11	Like Cain, they are devoid of love.
"Balaam," v.11	Like Balaam, they for money would teach that sin did not matter.
"Korah," v.11	Like Korah, they were careless of God’s ordinances and not following church leaders.

3 Men Who Rebelled Against God
"the way of Cain"	"the error of Balaam"	"the rebellion of Korah"
Ge.4; 1 Jn.3:11-12; He.11:4; Ge.3:21	2 Pe.2:1516; 1 Th.2:5-6; 1 Tm. 6:3-21; Nu.22-25	Nu.16; Ti.3:1-2
Rebelled against God’s way of salvation.	Merchandising one’s gifts and ministry to make money.	Rebelled against God’s chosen leader.
Religion w/o faith. Man’s righteousness—not God’s.	The error is thinking they can get away with it. Balaam is a prophet of God, but he sold his gifts and sought to destroy God’s people. God turned Balaam’s curses into blessings (De.23:4-5). Violate your separate position and try to get away with it.	It is easy to speak against spiritual or governmental leaders.

Cain. Cain became a fugitive and built a city (Ge.4:9ff). He had material wealth—but w/o God.

Balaam. He was a Gentile prophet who tried to curse the Jews.

The Story of Balaam

Balak, the king of the Moabites, was afraid of Israel. Balak looked to Balaam for help.

Balaam knew it was wrong but he wanted the money and honor Balak promised.

At first Balaam sent the messengers home. Balak sent more princes and offered more money.

Balaam decided to "pray about it" and agreed with Balak.

God rebuked Balaam the prophet through the mouth of his donkey.

God did permit Balaam to curse Israel, and turned it into a blessing (De.23:4-5; Nu.13:2).

Balaam was able to tell Balak how to defeat Israel.

The Moabites invited Israel to a "friendly" feast (Nu.25).

Israel compromised and joined (instead of separating) the pagan orgies.

God had to discipline thousands who were killed.

God judged Balaam by the sword when Israel defeated the Midianites (Nu.31:8).

Verbs Used to Describe These Apostates
Verb	Apostate	Description
"went the way of Cain"	Cain	Rebelled against God’s authority in salvation.
"gave themselves up to"	Balaam	Rebelled against God’s authority in sanctification.
"perished"	Korah	Rebelled against God’s authority in service.

Pictures/Description of the False Teachers (vs.12-13)

Jude explains why they are dangerous to the church.

Verse 12 (ou|toi eijsin, these men are…)-v.12,16,19

These men are those who are hidden reefs (spilavdeV, spots, stains) in your love-feasts (ajgavpaiV) when they feast with you without fear (ajfovbwV, without respect), caring for themselves (eJautou;V poimaivnontes, lit. "themselves shepherding or feeding"); clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead (di;V ajpoqanovnta, twice dying), uprooted (ejkrizwqevvnta, [aor. pass. part.] having been uprooted);

hidden reefs (spilajdeV, "spots" AV). Peter called them "stains (spijloi) and blemishes" (2 Pe.2:13). Like Judas at the Passover, these men take away the sanctity of the occasion. One problem was the fact that the believers thought these apostates were spiritual. "spots" can also mean "hidden rocks." A mariner must always be alert for calm waters that may contain "hidden rocks." Spiritual leaders must navigate away from these dangerous rocks or reefs.

love-feasts (ajgavpaiV), This is more than crackers and juice. This was a full meal. The Lord’s Supper, and the Agape-feast are not the same.

?Should we allow unbelievers to participate in the Lord’s Super?

?If you know someone is an unbeliever, should we let them participate?

?When do we have an agape feast?

clouds without water (nefevlai a[nudroi lit."clouds waterless"). The idea is that of clouds passing by without bringing the necessary and desired rain. They are all show and no substance. They have nothing to give to those foolish enough to listen to them.

autumn trees without fruit, Late harvest. The harvest here and is almost gone, but these trees have no fruit on them.

doubly dead, Twice dead in the sense of being sterile and then of actually being lifeless.

uprooted (ejkrizwqevvnta, [aor. pass. part.] having been uprooted). Such trees were commonly torn up by the roots and disposed of by fire. This is a common OT metaphor for judgment (Ps. 53:5; Pr.2:22).

Natural Analogies (vs. 12-13)
"love-feasts," v.12	Supposed to enrich the believers’ Christian fellowship and union with Christ. These apostates may have turned these into gluttonous orgies which perverts their purpose. They would feed themselves without concern for any other.
"clouds without water," v.12	They carried no substance. They are empty.
"autumn without fruit," v.12	Autumn is supposed to be a time of gathering fruit. But these are doubly dead.
"wild waves of the sea," v.13	A picture of the wild lives of these men.
"wandering stars," v.13	Seems to mean a pointless life.

Verse 13

wild (a[gpia, fierce, untamed) waves of the sea, casting up their own shame (aijscuvvnaV, pl.shames) like foam (ejpafrivzonta, to splash causing foam); wandering (planh¾tai) stars, for whom the black (zovfoV, gloom) darkness (skovtouV) has been reserved (tethvphtai, has been kept) forever (eijV aijw¾na, unto [the] age).

wandering (planh¾tai). The picture is of shooting stars, which fall out of the sky. The figure of the "wandering star" is used in the Book of Enoch 43, 44, 18, etc.).

Verse 14

And about these also Enoch, in the seventh (e{bdomoV) generation from (ajpo;) Adam, prophesied (jEprofhvteusen, to speak forth), saying, Behold, the Lord came with many thousands (muriavsiv, ten thousands, myriad) of His holy ones (aJgivaiV, saints),

the seventh generation from Adam. In Genesis 5:21 Enoch is listed as the seventh after Adam and is designated as the seventh from Adam in Enoch 60:8; 93:3; Jubilees 7:39.

thousands (muriavsiv, ten thousands, myriad). This refers to the angels who accompany God especially in judgment.

	Genesis 5:	Person
1	1-2	Adam
2	3	Seth
3	6	Enosh
4	9	Kenan
5	12	Mahalalel
6	15	Jared
7	18	Enoch
8	21	Methuselah
9	25	Lamech
10	29	Noah
11	32	Shem, Ham, Japheth

prophesied (jEprofhvteusen). This word comes first in the sentence.

Jude cites 1 Enoch 1:9 almost verbatim. Jude regards this book in high esteem, or at least he thought his readers would.

References to Non-Biblical Sources
1 Corinthians 10:4	Paul refers to a rabbinical midrash
Acts 17:28	A heathen poet in his speech at Athens
2 Timothy 3:8	The names of the magicians who withstood Pharoah as Jannes and Jambres
Referring to non-biblical writings does not say that the author equates them with Scripture. These are historical documents that the writer uses to relate to his readers.

Verse 15

to execute (poih¾sai, to do) judgment (krivsin) upon (kata;, against) all, and to convict (ejlevgxai, to rebuke) all the ungodly (ajsebei¾V) of all their ungodly (ajsebeivaV) deeds (e[rgwn) which they have done in an ungodly (hjsevbhsan) way, and of all the harsh things (sklhrw¾n, hard things) which ungodly (ajsebei¾V) sinners (aJmartwloi;) have spoken (ejlavlhsan) against (katj, against) Him.

?Is their any one word that seems to stand out in this verse?

ANSWER: "ungodly (ajsebei¾V)." Jude used "ungodly" 4 times in this one verse.

?If these men are this "ungodly" how could they have crept in unnoticed?

ANSWER: They came in saying they believed one thing, but actually believed another. They did not come in stating what they really believed. Like liberalism, they were slow and subtle in their perversions.

upon…against (kataj)

?Is Jude saying that Enoch specifically prophesied about these apostates?

ANSWER: No. The word "all" used in this passage suggest a general prediction of those who will be judged.

Verse 16 (ou|toi eijsin, these men are…)-v.12,16,19

These are (ou|toi eijsin, these men are) grumblers (goggustai;, murmurers), finding fault (memyivmoiroi, complaining), following after (kata;, according to) their own lusts (ejpiqumivaV, strong desire, passion), they speak (to; stovma aujtw¾n lalei¾, their mouth speaks) arrogantly (uJpevrogka, puffed up), flattering (qaumavzonteV, admiring, marvel) people (provswpa, faces) for the sake of (cavrin) gaining an advantage (wjfeleivaV, profit).

grumblers (goggustai;, murmurers). This reminds me of Israel in the wilderness murmuring.

for the sake of (cavrin). With the gen. "on account of."

The Character of the Apostates (v. 16)
"grumblers," v.16	Complainers.
"finding fault," v.16	Malcontents.
"speak arrogantly," v.16	Noisy boasting.

In some way they were using their errors to further their own financial gain.

They give the impression that they are out to help you, but they are only interested in gratifying themselves.

grumblers. Jude is correlating complaining with speaking against God.

Verse 17

But you, beloved, ought to remember (mnhvsqhte, be mindful of) the words that were spoken beforehand (proeirhmevnwn, previously spoken, to fortell) by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Verse 18

that they were saying to you, "In the last (ejscavtou, [the] last) time (crovnou) there shall be mockers (ejmpai¾ktai, scoffer), following after their own ungodly (ajsebeiw¾w) lusts (ejpiqumiaV, strong desire, passion).

In the last time. 2 Peter 3:3 uses almost identical language. "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts." Both here and in Peter may be looking back to oral teaching of the apostles.

mockers (ejmpai¾ktai, scoffer), One who makes fun by mocking.

Verse 19 (ou|toi eijsin, these men are…)-v.12,16,19

These are the ones who (ou|toi eijsin, these men are) cause divisions (ajpodiorivzonteV, making separations), worldly-minded (yucikoiv, natural, physical), devoid of the Spirit (pneu¾ma mh; e[conteV, lit. "spirit not having").

cause divisions (ajpodiorivzonteV, making separations). It has the idea of making a boundary between someone and separating from him.

It could also mean that ungodly lives divide the assembly and some were about to follow their error.

Worldly-minded (yucikoiv, natural, physical). The word implies these men follow their nutural lusts without restraint or control.

devoid of the Spirit (pneu¾ma mh; e[conteV, lit. "spirit not having"). They do not have the Spirit of God and therefore live unrestrained lives.

Verse 20

But you, beloved, building (ejpoikodomou¾nteV, edify) yourselves up on your most holy (aJgiwtavth/, holiest) faith (pivstei); praying in the Holy Spirit;

building yourselves up. Because these apostates were trying to tear down the believers.

faith, this is the faith that was once for all (aJpax) delivered to the saints from verse 3.

praying in the Holy Spirit. The Christian must not only study the Word of God, but must also pray, for the battle against false teaching is not won by argument. This means that we pray by means of the Holy Spirit; we are dependent upon Him (See. Ro.8:26).

Romans 8:26

"And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;"

SEE "GUIDELINES FOR APOSTASY.DOC"

Verse 21

keep (thrhvsate) yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously (prosdecomenoi, awaiting, expect) for the mercy (to; e[leoV) of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal (aivwnion) life (zwh;n).

keep (thrhvsate). See verse 1 "having been kept."

?See verse 1, "kept for Jesus Christ." If we are keep by Jesus Christ, why does Jude tell us to "keep ourselves in the love of God"?

The NT often will first give us Positional Truth, then give us an exhortation to do it. This is to stir up the believer to do what is a natural inclination as a child of God.

The present environment of the Christian is the love of God, and the future expectation is the guarantee of eternal life in Christ.

mercy (to; e[leoV, the mercy).

Verse 22

And have mercy (ejlea¾te, pity ye) on some (ou}V me;n), who are doubting (diakrinomenouV, wavering, to dispute);

Jude wants Christians to help restore those affected by the false teachers. The end is restoration to fellowship not condemnation.

doubting (diakrinomenouV, wavering, to dispute). See verse 9 for the same word used where Michael the archangel would not "dispute" with the Devil concerning the body of Moses. The meaning here may be to show pity on the waiverers.

Verse 23

save (swvzete, to rescue) others (ou}V de;), snatching (aJpavzonteV, to seize) them out of the fire (puro;V); and on some (ou}V de;) have mercy (ejlea¾te, pity) with fear (ejn fovbw/), hating (misou¾ntes) even the garment (citw¾na, tunic) polluted (ejstilwmevnon, spotted) by the flesh (sarko;V).

snatching (aJpavzonteV, to seize). The figure of snatching them out of the fire may allude to the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah.

fire. Could mean sensual passion, but more likely to eternal judgment.

The "fire" could be the false teaching, which may have felt warm and good at first. But as you get closer to this fire, you get burned.

others…some. Is Jude making a contrast here?

garment (xitw¾na). This was the garment worn next to the body.

Verse 24

Now to Him who is able (dunamevnw/) to keep (fulavxai, to guard) you from stumbling (ajptaivstous, without stumbling or falling), and to make you stand in the presence (sth¾sai katenwvpion, to set [you] before) of His glory blameless (ajmwvmouV, unblemished) with great joy (ajgalliavsei, exultation),

blameless (ajmwvmouV,without blemish). This word looks back to the Old Testament sacrifices of animals.

Other Benedictions
Romans 16:25	"Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past"
1 Timothy 6:14-16	"¹⁴that you keep the commandment without strain or reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords; ¹⁶who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Verse 25

to the only (movnw/) God (qew¾/) our Savior (swth¾ri), through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (dovxa), majesty (megalwsuvnh, might), dominion (kpavtos, might) and authority (ejxousiva), before all time (aijw¾noV, age) and now (nu¾n) and forever (aijw¾vaV, ages). Amen (ajmhvn).

Jude is teaching the oneness of God and equality of Jesus Christ with the Father.

Visual Bible Study Chart

Tom Elseroad
May 1999