CHAPTER 31 THE PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE-THE FAITH ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. Jude 1:3 THE Greek of the opening sentence of this passage, in which St. Jude explains his reason for writing this Epistle, is ambiguous. The words "of our common salvation" (πϵϱί τῆϛ... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 32 THE PERSONS DENOUNCED IN THE EPISTLE ITS RELATION TO PETER. Jude 1:4 WE have here the occasion of the letter stated very plainly. St. Jude was meditating a letter on a more general subject, when the grave peril created by the anti-Christian behavior of the persons condemned in the text... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 33 DOUBTFUL READINGS AND THE THEORY OF VERBAL INSPIRATION-THREE PALMARY INSTANCES OF DIVINE VENGEANCE UPON GRIEVOUS SIN. Jude 1:5 WITH these three verses the main portion of the Epistle begins, the first three verses being introductory. These put before us three instances of Divine vengean... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 34 RAILING AT DIGNITIES-"THE ASSUMPTION OF MOSES"-ST. JUDE'S USE OF APOCRYPHAL LITERATURE. Jude 1:8 ST. JUDE having given three terrible examples of the punishment of gross sin in Jews, Gentiles, and angels, proceeds to apply these instances to the libertines who in his own day, by their s... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 35 THE DESCRIPTION CORRESPONDING TO CAIN; THE LIBERTINES AT THE LOVE-FEASTS-THE BOOK OF ENOCH. Jude 1:12 ST. JUDE leaves off comparing the libertines with other sinners - Cain and the Sodomites, Balaam and the impure angels, Korah and the unbelieving Israelites - and begins an independent... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 36 THE DESCRIPTION CORRESPONDING TO BALAAM: IMPIOUS DISCONTENT AND GREED OF THE LIBERTINES-THE APOSTOLIC WARNING RESPECTING THEM. Jude 1:16. THESE words form the second part of the threefold description of the libertines; and just as the first part was balanced by a prophetic warning quot... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 37 THE DESCRIPTION CORRESPONDING TO KORAH; MAKING SEPARATIONS-EXHORTATION TO THE FAITHFUL TO BUILD UP THEMSELVES, AND THEN RESCUE OTHERS. Jude 1:19. FOR the third and last time St. Jude points his finger at the ungodly intruders who are working such mischief in the Church, and gives anoth... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 38 THE FINAL DOXOLOGY: PRAISE TO GOD, THE PROTECTOR OF HIS SERVANTS. Jude 1:24 FROM his severe and somber warnings and exhortations St. Jude turns in joyous and exulting confidence to Him who alone can make them effectual. He has spoken with sternness and horror of great wickedness which... [ Continue Reading ]