(1) The inscription and salutation, Jude 1:1. (2) A statement of the reasons why the Epistle was written, Jude 1:3. The author felt it to be necessary to write to them, because certain plausible errorists had crept in among them, and there was danger that their faith would be subverted. (3) A refe... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE, THE SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST - If the view taken in the Introduction to the Epistle is correct, Jude sustained a near relation to the Lord Jesus, being, as James was, “the Lord’s brother,” Galatians 1:19. The reasons why he did not advert to this fact here, as an appellation which would serve t... [ Continue Reading ]
MERCY UNTO YOU, AND PEACE, AND LOVE, BE MULTIPLIED - This is not quite the form of salutation used by the other apostles, but it is one equally expressive of an earnest desire for their welfare. These things are mentioned as the choicest blessings which could be conferred on them: “mercy” - in the p... [ Continue Reading ]
BELOVED - An expression of strong affection used by the apostles when addressing their brethren, Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1Co 15:58; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Corinthians 12:19; Philippians 2:12; Philippians 4:1; and often elsewhere.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THERE ARE CERTAIN MEN CREPT IN UNAWARES - The apostle now gives “reason” for thus defending the truth, to wit, that there were artful and wicked men who had crept into the church, pretending to be religious teachers, but whose doctrines tended to sap the very foundations of truth. The apostle Pe... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL THEREFORE PUT YOU IN REMEMBRANCE - “To show you what must be the doom of such men, I will call certain facts to your recollection, with which you are familiar, respecting the Divine treatment of the wicked in times past.” THOUGH YE ONCE KNEW THIS - That is, you were formerly made acquainted... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE ANGELS WHICH KEPT NOT THEIR FIRST ESTATE - A second case denoting that the wicked would be punished. Compare the notes, 2 Peter 2:4. The word rendered “estate” (ἀρχὴν archēn) is, in the margin, “principality.” The word properly means, “beginning, commencement;” and then that which surpass... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN AS SODOM AND GOMORRHA - Notes, 2 Peter 2:6. AND THE CITIES ABOUT THEM - Admah and Zeboim, Genesis 14:2; Deuteronomy 29:23; Hosea 11:8. There may have been other towns, also, that perished at the same time, but these are particularly mentioned. They seem to have partaken of the same general cha... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKEWISE ALSO - In the same way do these persons defile the flesh, or resemble the inhabitants of Sodom; that is, they practice the same kind of vices. What the apostle says is, that their character resembled that of the inhabitants of Sodom; the example which he adduces of the punishment which was... [ Continue Reading ]
YET MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL ... - This verse has given more perplexity to expositors than any other part of the Epistle; and in fact the difficulties in regard to it have been so great that some have been led to regard the Epistle as spurious. The difficulty has arisen from these two circumstances:... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THESE SPEAK EVIL OF THOSE THINGS WHICH THEY KNOW NOT - These false and corrupt teachers employ reproachful language of those things which lie wholly beyond the reach of their vision. Notes, 2 Peter 2:12. BUT WHAT THEY KNOW NATURALLY - As mere men; as animals; that is, in things pertaining to the... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE UNTO THEM! - See Matthew 11:21. FOR THEY HAVE GONE IN THE WAY OF CAIN - Genesis 4:5. That is, they have evinced disobedience and rebellion as he did; they have shown that they are proud, corrupt, and wicked. The apostle does not specify the points in which they had imitated the example of Cain,... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE ARE SPOTS - See the notes at 2 Peter 2:13. The word used by Peter, however, is not exactly the same as that used here. Peter uses the word, σπἶλοι spiloi; Jude, σπιλάδες spilades. The word used by Jude means, properly, “a rock” by or in the sea; a cliff, etc. It may either be a rock by the... [ Continue Reading ]
RAGING WAVES OF THE SEA - Compare 2 Peter 2:18. They are like the wild and restless waves of the ocean. The image here seems to be, that they were noisy and bold in their professions, and were as wild and ungovernable in their passions as the billows of the sea. FOAMING OUT THEIR OWN SHAME - The wa... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ENOCH ALSO, THE SEVENTH FROM ADAM - The seventh in the direct line of descent from Adam. The line of descent is Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahaleel, Jared, Enoch; see Genesis 5:3, following. On the character of Enoch, see the notes at Hebrews 11:5. PROPHESIED OF THESE - Uttered prophecies applica... [ Continue Reading ]
TO EXECUTE JUDGMENT UPON ALL - That is, he shall come to judge all the dwellers upon the earth, good and bad. AND TO CONVINCE ALL - The word “convince we now use commonly in a somewhat limited sense, as meaning “to satisfy” a man’s own mind” either of the truth of some proposition, or of the fact th... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE ARE MURMURERS - The word here used does not elsewhere occur, though the word “murmur” is frequent, Matthew 20:11; Luke 5:30; John 6:41, John 6:43, John 6:61; John 7:32; 1 Corinthians 10:10. Compare John 7:12; Acts 6:1 [ Continue Reading ]
BUT, BELOVED, REMEMBER YE ... - There is a striking similarity between these two verses and 2 Peter 3:1. It occurs in the same connection, following the description of the false and dangerous teachers against whom the apostle would guard them, and couched almost in the same words. See it explained i... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE BE THEY WHO SEPARATE THEMSELVES - That is, from their brethren and from the work of benevolence and truth. Compare Romans 16:17; Judges 5:16, Judges 5:23. SENSUAL - Under the influence of gross passions and appetites. HAVING NOT THE SPIRIT - The Holy Spirit, or the spirit of true religion.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT YE, BELOVED, BUILDING UP YOURSELVES ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH - Compare the notes at Jude 1:3. On the word “building,” see the 1 Corinthians 3:9 notes; Ephesians 2:20 note. It is said here that they were to “build up themselves;” that is, they were to act as moral and responsible agents in this, o... [ Continue Reading ]
KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD - Still adverting to their own agency. On the duty here enjoined, see the notes at John 15:9. The phrase “the love of God” may mean either God’s love to us, or our love to him. The latter appears, however, to be the sense here, because it is not a subject which cou... [ Continue Reading ]
AND OF SOME HAVE COMPASSION - This cannot be intended to teach that they were not to have compassion for all people, or to regard the salvation of all with solicitude, but that they were to have special and unusual compassion for a certain class of persons, or were to approach them with feelings app... [ Continue Reading ]
AND OTHERS - Another class; those who were of such a character, or in such circumstances, that a more bold, earnest, and determined manner would be better adapted to them. SAVE WITH FEAR - That is, by appeals adapted to produce fear. The idea seems to be that the arguments on which they relied were... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM FALLING - This ascription to one who was able to keep them from falling is made in view of the facts adverted to in the Epistle - the dangers of being led away by the arts and the example of these teachers of error. Compare Jude 1:3. On the ascription itsel... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE ONLY WISE GOD - See the Romans 16:27 note; 1 Timothy 1:17 note. OUR SAVIOUR - The word “Saviour” may be appropriately applied to God as such, because he is the great Author of salvation, though it is commonly applied to the Lord Jesus Christ. That it may have been designed that it should be... [ Continue Reading ]