(1, 2) Address and greeting. (1) JUDE. — As to the Jade who here addresses us see _Introduction,_ I. THE SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST. — Better, _a servant of Jesus Christ._ There is nothing to show that these words indicate an evangelist, although it is more than probable that he was one: his writing th... [ Continue Reading ]
(3, 4) The purpose and occasion of the Letter. (3) BELOVED. — “Very unusual at the beginning of an Epistle; Jude 1:2, is the only other example It indicates, possibly, the writer’s wish to be brief and get to his subject at once; and, as his subject is a very unpleasing one, he hastens to assure his... [ Continue Reading ]
(5-7) We now enter upon the main body of the Epistle. Three instances of God’s vengeance: the unbelievers in the wilderness; the impure angels; Sodom and Gomorrha. (5) I WILL THEREFORE PUT YOU IN REMEMBRANCE. — Or, _But I wish to remind you._ The “but” indicates opposition to the impiety of those ju... [ Continue Reading ]
(8-10) Application of these three instances to the libertines who are now provoking God. (8) LIKEWISE ALSO. — Rather, _Yet in like manner: i.e._, in spite of these warnings. These ungodly men were like the unbelievers in the wilderness in denying Christ and scoffing at His promises; they were like t... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) Three examples of similar wickedness: Cain, Balaam, Korah. WOE UNTO THEM! — An echo of Christ’s denunciations in the first three Gospels, whereby the description of these evil-doers takes for the moment a denunciatory form. The past tenses immediately following are owing to the writer’s placin... [ Continue Reading ]
(12-19) Three-fold description of the ungodly, corresponding to the three examples just given. The divisions are clearly marked, each section beginning with “These are” (Jude 1:12; Jude 1:16; Jude 1:19). (12-15) Description corresponding to Cain. (12) THESE ARE SPOTS IN YOUR FEASTS OF CHARITY, WHEN... [ Continue Reading ]
(20, 21) Exhortation to strengthen themselves in the faith by prayer, godliness, and hope. (20) BUT YE, BELOVED. — Exactly as in Jude 1:17 : “ye” in emphatic contrast to these sensuous and unspiritual men. BUILDING UP YOURSELVES. — Making yourselves firm on the sure foundation of faith, in contradis... [ Continue Reading ]
(22, 23) Exhortation to treat these libertines with discrimination, making three classes. (22) AND OF SOME HAVE COMPASSION, MAKING A DIFFERENCE. — The evidence is very strong in favour of a widely different reading: _And some indeed convict_ (Jude 1:15) _when they are in doubt_ (Matthew 21:21; Acts... [ Continue Reading ]
(24, 25) Concluding Doxology. (24) NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS ABLE. — Comp. the conclusion Romans 16:25. It would be rash to infer from the similarity that St. Jude must have known the Epistle to the Romans; although there is nothing incredible in the supposition that he was acquainted with it. The Epistl... [ Continue Reading ]