JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:1 Initial Greeting. Although he is Jesus’
brother, Jude calls himself Jesus’ SERVANT. Jesus is his Lord. He is
also the BROTHER OF JAMES, who plays a major role in the NT (Acts
12:17; Acts 15:13; Acts 21:18; Galatians 1:19; Galatians 2:9,... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:3 Jude’s Appeal: Contend for the Faith. Jude
urges his readers to stand for the faith against the false teachers.
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JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:4 CREPT IN UNNOTICED. The false teachers seem to
be Christians. DESIGNATED translates a Greek word meaning “to write
about or identify beforehand.” The false teachers did not take God
by surprise. He predicted their coming and their CONDEMNATION long
before they existed. They PER... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:5 The Immoral Character and Resulting Judgment
of the False Teachers. Jude uses analogies from the OT and Jewish
tradition to declare judgment for the false teachers (see v. Jude
1:13). He also describes the immorality that characterizes this group.
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JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:6 ANGELS WHO DID NOT STAY WITHIN THEIR OWN
POSITION OF AUTHORITY. God has KEPT these beings IN ETERNAL CHAINS
ever since. Some scholars think this refers to the fall of angels from
heaven. Others think Jude refers to the sin of angels in Genesis 6:1
(see note on 1 Pet. 3:19; see... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:7 The people of SODOM AND GOMORRAH (Genesis
19:1) received the judgment of ETERNAL FIRE. Smoke rose from the site
of Sodom and Gomorrah into the first century A.D. This was taken as a
physical symbol of eternal divine judgment. PURSUED UNNATURAL DESIRE
refers to the homosexual ac... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:8 THESE PEOPLE ALSO refers to the false teachers
(see chart). They are led astray by RELYING ON THEIR DREAMS. They
follow experiences they claim are from God. Yet these experiences lead
them to disobey God’s written Word (see v. Jude 1:18). THE GLORIOUS
ONES. Probably evil angels... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:10 ALL THAT THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND includes true
biblical doctrine about God, angels, and demons, and human sin and
forgiveness through Christ. What they UNDERSTAND INSTINCTIVELY, like
ANIMALS, is how to follow their desires, by which they will ultimately
be DESTROYED.
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JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:11 CAIN (Genesis 4:5), BALAAM (Numbers 22:5; 2
Peter 2:15), and KORAH (Numbers 16:1, Numbers 16:31) were all
dissatisfied with what they had in life. They rebelled against God,
greedily seeking selfish GAIN at any cost. [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:12 Jude compares the false teachers to HIDDEN
REEFS that destroy ships without warning. These opponents of the
gospel hide in the church. They share in the LOVE FEASTS (including
the Lord’s Supper). They act as if they are Christians. Instead,
they are like WATERLESS CLOUDS, prom... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:14 ENOCH, THE SEVENTH FROM ADAM (Genesis 5:18;
compare 1 Chronicles 1:3). Jude describes the coming of the Lord as
Enoch PROPHESIED, and he quotes from _1 Enoch_ 1.9 (see note on Jude
8–10). The quote from Enoch focuses on blasphemy against God (e.g.,
in vv. Jude 1:3, the opponen... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:16 Jude applies the citation from__ Enoch__ to
the false teachers, probably using this list of sins to focus on some
of their more pronounced and obvious misbehaviors. GRUMBLERS calls to
mind the wilderness generation (Exodus 16:7; Numbers 14:27; Numbers
16:41; Numbers 17:5). TO... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:17 Concluding Exhortations. Jude stresses the
proper response of believers to false teachers.
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JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:19 IT IS THESE indicates that the “scoffers”
described in v. Jude 1:18 are the false teachers Jude warns about (see
chart). These WORLDLY PEOPLE... CAUSE DIVISIONS within the church over
many things. They especially cause trouble over morality and doctrine.
DEVOID OF THE SPIRIT i... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:20 PRAYING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. That is, praying
in harmony with the leading of the Holy Spirit, rather than according
to one’s own agenda (see Romans 8:26; Ephesians 6:18). The context
here is different from the speaking in tongues described in 1
Corinthians 14:14.
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JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:21 KEEP (or guard) YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF
GOD. Christians do this by growing strong doctrinally (v. Jude 1:20),
persevering in prayer (v. Jude 1:20), and WAITING for the Lord’s
coming. Verses Jude 1:1 and vv. Jude 1:24 teach that God keeps them as
well. No true believer will e... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:23 To SAVE some people (that is, to lead them to
faith in Christ) involves SNATCHING THEM OUT OF THE FIRE. They were
close to God’s judgment. OTHERS who are caught up in immorality
should also be shown MERCY. This should be done WITH FEAR, so that the
faithful Christian is not in... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:24 God has the power TO KEEP from STUMBLING
those who have put their faith in him. By “stumbling” Jude means
falling into sin or error. If such behavior continues it will
eventually lead to falling away from the faith. God will PRESENT the
Christian BLAMELESS (with no stain or si... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDE—NOTE ON JUDE 1:25 THE ONLY GOD. There is only one God. He has
acted redemptively (OUR SAVIOR; see note on 2 Tim. 1:8–10) THROUGH
JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. Jesus is the mediator between people and God.
The church praises God through Christ, saying, to God BE GLORY (great
honor), MAJESTY (he is grea... [ Continue Reading ]