Reference: Jude, Epistle of
Easton
The author was "Judas, the brother of James" the Less (Jude 1:1), called also Lebbaeus (Mt 10:3) and Thaddaeus (Mr 3:18). The genuineness of this epistle was early questioned, and doubts regarding it were revived at the time of the Reformation; but the evidences in support of its claims are complete. It has all the marks of having proceeded from the writer whose name it bears.
There is nothing very definite to determine the time and place at which it was written. It was apparently written in the later period of the apostolic age, for when it was written there were persons still alive who had heard the apostles preach (ver. 17). It may thus have been written about A.D. 66 or 70, and apparently in Palestine.
The epistle is addressed to Christians in general (ver. 1), and its design is to put them on their guard against the misleading efforts of a certain class of errorists to which they were exposed. The style of the epistle is that of an "impassioned invective, in the impetuous whirlwind of which the writer is hurried along, collecting example after example of divine vengeance on the ungodly; heaping epithet upon epithet, and piling image upon image, and, as it were, labouring for words and images strong enough to depict the polluted character of the licentious apostates against whom he is warning the Church; returning again and again to the subject, as though all language was insufficient to give an adequate idea of their profligacy, and to express his burning hatred of their perversion of the doctrines of the gospel."
The striking resemblance this epistle bears to 2PE suggests the idea that the author of the one had seen the epistle of the other.
The doxology with which the epistle concludes is regarded as the finest in the New Testament.
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Philip, and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus who was surnamed Thaddaeus,
and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Jude, a bondman of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to the called, sanctified in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:
Hastings
This short epistle is an earnest warning and appeal, couched in vivid and picturesque language, addressed to a church or a circle of churches which have become suddenly exposed to a mischievous attack of false teaching.
1. Contents
(1) Text.
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Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James and Joses and Simon and Judas?
And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? And what is the sign of thy coming, and of the termination of the age? And having answered, Jesus said to them, See that not any man may lead you astray. read more. For many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and will lead many astray.
For many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and will lead many astray. And ye are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that ye not be alarmed, for all the things must happen, but the end is not yet. read more. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and plagues and earthquakes in places. But all these things are the beginning of travail. Then they will deliver you up for tribulation, and will kill you, and ye will be hated by all the nations because of my name. And then many will be caused to stumble, and they will betray each other and will hate each other. And many FALSE prophets will arise, and will lead many astray.
And many FALSE prophets will arise, and will lead many astray. And because of the increased lawlessness, the love of the many will become cold.
And because of the increased lawlessness, the love of the many will become cold. But he who endures to the end, this man will be saved. read more. And this good-news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation that was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him who reads understand), then let those in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the man on the housetop not go down to take things from his house. And let the man in the field not return back to take his clothes. And woe to those who have in the womb and to those who suckle in those days. And pray ye that your flight may not happen in winter, nor on a Sabbath, for then there will be great tribulation, such as not has happened from the beginning of the world until now, nor, no, it will not happen. And if those days were not shortened, no flesh would be saved. But because of the chosen those days will be shortened. Then if any man should say to you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here, believe ye not. For there will arise FALSE Christs and FALSE prophets, and they will give great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen. Behold, I have foretold it to you.
Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judah and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended by him.
Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.
I indeed made the former treatise, O Theophilus, about all things that Jesus began both to do and to teach,
And when they came in, they went up into the upper floor where they were lodging, including, Peter and James and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Juda
But a certain man in the city, Simon by name, was formerly practicing sorcery, and fascinating the nation of Samaria, saying himself to be some great man, to whom they gave heed, from small to great, saying, This man is the great power of God. read more. And they heeded him, because he facinated them for a considerable time with the sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching good news, the things about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were immersed, both men and women. And Simon himself also believed. And after being immersed, he was continuing with Philip. And seeing miracles and signs occurring, he was astonished. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria has received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they came down, prayed for them, so that they might receive Holy Spirit, for it was not yet fallen upon any of them. They were only immersed in the name of the Christ Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he brought money to them, saying, Give me also this power, so that on whomever I lay hands, he may receive Holy Spirit. But Peter said to him, Thy silver with thee, may it be for destruction, because thou thought to obtain the gift of God by money. There is no part nor lot for thee in this matter, for thy heart is not straight in the sight of God. Repent therefore from this thine evil, and beg God, if perhaps the thought of thy heart will be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou are in the gall of bitterness and the bond of unrighteousness. And having answered, Simon said, Beg ye to the Lord for me, so that none of which things ye have spoken may come upon me.
And after going through the island as far as Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a Jewish FALSE prophet, whose name was Bar-jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man, having summoned Barnabas and Saul, sought to hear the word of God. read more. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) opposed them, seeking to deviate the proconsul from the faith. But Saul (the man is also Paul) having been filled with Holy Spirit, and having gazed on him, said, O man full of all deceit and all recklessness, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, will thou not cease distorting the straight ways of Lord? And now, behold, a hand of Lord is upon thee, and thou will be blind, not seeing the sun until a time. And immediately there fell on him gloom and darkness, and going around he sought hand-guides. Then the proconsul, who saw that which happened, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
And when they heard this, they were immersed in the name of the Lord Jesus. And Paul having laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues, and prophesied. read more. And all the men were about twelve.
And many of those who have believed came, confessing, and reporting their practices. And a considerable number of those who practiced magical things, having brought their books together, burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit that was given to us.
And likewise also the Spirit helps our weaknesses, for we know not what we would pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.
Now to him who is able to establish you according to my good-news, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to a revelation of the mystery that has been kept secret for eternal times, but that was now revealed, and by prophetic scriptures, according to a commandment of the eternal God that was made known to all the nations for obedience of faith, read more. to the only wise God through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory into the ages. Truly.
Now the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is unable to understand because they are evaluated spiritually.
and not at all with the fornicators of this world, or with greedy men, or with predators, or with idolaters, since then ye would need to go out of the world.
Now in this that is commanded, I do not praise you, because ye do not assemble for the better but for the worse.
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, having taken along Titus also.
and James and Cephas and John, those who were reputed to be pillars, when they understood the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship. So that we were for the Gentiles, and they for me
For before certain men came from James he ate together with the Gentiles, but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing men of circumcision.
in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblemished and unblameable before him.
rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as ye were taught, abounding in it with thankfulness.
Knowing, beloved brothers, your selection by God,
Let not any man deceive you in any way, because if not, the defection may come first, and he may be revealed--the man of sin, the son of destruction,
As I urged thee, while going to Macedonia, remain in Ephesis, so that thou might command certain men not to teach something different,
Now to the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, alone wise, to God is honor and glory into the ages of the ages. Truly.
The sins of some men are evident, leading to judgment, but also for some they follow after.
constant frictions of men corrupted in mind, and destitute of the truth, supposing piety to be a means of gain. Withdraw from such.
For there will be time when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but they will accumulate teachers to themselves according to their own desires, who tickle the ear,
Hurry to come to me quickly,
Remind them to be submissive to principle offices and positions of authority, to be obedient, to be prepared for every good work,
which he poured out upon us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Faithful is the saying. And I want thee to strongly insist about these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to manage good works. These things are good and beneficial to men.
Help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way diligently, so that nothing may be lacking for them.
Jude, a bondman of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to the called, sanctified in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:
Jude, a bondman of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to the called, sanctified in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy to you and peace and love be multiplied. read more. Beloved, making all diligence to write to you about the common salvation, I had need to write to you exhorting you to earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the sanctified. For certain men have sneaked in, those written about formerly for this condemnation, irreverent men, perverting the grace of our God into licentiousness, and denying our only Master God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Now I want to remind you, ye having known this once, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
Now I want to remind you, ye having known this once, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
But these men indeed revile whatever they have not seen. But whatever they understand naturally, as the irrational beasts, in these things they are corrupted.
These are those who make divisions, world-soul men, not having Spirit. But ye beloved, building up yourselves in your most holy faith, praying in Holy Spirit, read more. keep yourselves in the love of God, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. And on some be ye merciful--being discerning.
And on some be ye merciful--being discerning. And in fear save some, snatching them out of the fire, hating even the garment that was stained by the flesh.
And in fear save some, snatching them out of the fire, hating even the garment that was stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep them non-stumbling, and to present before his glory, unblemished in gladness, read more. to the only wise God our Savior, is glory, majesty, dominion and power, both now and into all the ages. Truly.
I know thy works, and thy toil, and thy perseverance, and that thou cannot tolerate evil, and thou examined those who say themselves to be apostles, and are not, and found them false.
But this thou have, that thou hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
But I have a few things against thee, because thou have there men who adhere to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a snare before the sons of Israel, even to eat idol sacrifices, and to fornicate. So also thou have men who likewise adhere to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Morish
Written by Jude the brother of James, and apparently the same person as the apostle JUDAS, q.v. The Epistle is addressed to "the called ones, beloved in God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ." Apostasy had set in, and the saints are exhorted to contend for the faith divinely delivered. Ungodly ones had crept in, who abused the grace of God, and denied their only Master and Lord Jesus Christ.
Three instances are produced to show how apostasy had been punished:
1. Some of those saved out of Egypt were yet destroyed.
2. Fallen angels are kept in eternal chains for judgement.
3. Sodom and Gomorrha, which lie under the abiding effect of the judgement on them. Then the railers are put to shame by the conduct of Michael the archangel, who when rightly contending with Satan about the body of Moses did not rail against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke thee."
Three stages of departure from the way of truth are mentioned, with a woe upon those who are found in them:
1. The way of Cain
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Not as Cain. He was of the wicked, and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were wrong, and his brother's right.
Smith
Jude, Epistle of.
Its author was probably Jude, one of the brethren of Jesus, the subject of the preceding article. There are no data from which to determine its date or place of writing, but it is placed about A.D.
65. The object of the epistle is plainly enough announced ver. 3; the reason for this exhortation is given ver.
4. The remainder of the epistle is almost entirely occupied by a minute depiction of the adversaries of the faith. The epistle closes by briefly reminding the readers of the oft-repeated prediction of the apostles --among whom the writer seems not to rank himself --that the faith would be assailed by such enemies as he has depicted, vs.
exhorting them to maintain their own steadfastness in the faith, vs.
while they earnestly sought to rescue others from the corrupt example of those licentious livers, vs.
and commending them to the power of God in language which forcibly recalls the closing benediction of the epistle to the Romans. vs.
cf. Roma 16:25-27 This epistle presents one peculiarity, which, as we learn from St. Jerome, caused its authority to be impugned in very early times --the supposed citation of apocryphal writings. vs.
The larger portion of this epistle, vs.
is almost identical in language and subject with a part of the Second Epistle of Peter.
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But FALSE prophets also developed among the people, as FALSE teachers will also be among you, who will sneak in pernicious denominations, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their wantonness, because of whom the way of the truth will be blasphemed. read more. And they will exploit you in greed with fabricated words, whose judgment is not idle for long, and their destruction will not slumber. For if God did not spare heavenly agents who sinned, but delivered them up to chains of darkness, having been cast into hell being reserved for judgment, and he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, the eighth, a herald of righteousness, when he brought on a flood upon the world of the irreverent, and he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, being reduced to ashes, having made an example of men who were going to be irreverent, and he rescued righteous Lot, being distressed by the conduct of the lawless in their licentiousness (for that righteous man dwelling among them day after day, in the sight and hearing of their lawless deeds, it anguished his righteous soul), the Lord knows how to rescue the pious out of temptation, and to hold in reserve unrighteous men being cut off for a day of judgment. And especially those going rear of flesh in a degenerate lust, and who despise lordship. Reckless, self-willed men, they do not tremble when speaking evil of dignities. Whereas heavenly agents, being greater in might and power, do not bring a railing judgment against them before Lord. But these men, like irrational beasts of nature, having been born for capture and destruction, speaking evil at which things they do not understand, will be destroyed in their corruption, getting back a wage of unrighteousness. Men who consider soft living in the daytime to be pleasure, spots and blemishes reveling in their deceitfulness, feasting together with you, having eyes full of adultery, and unceasing sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, children of a curse, having forsaked a straight path, they were led astray, men who followed the way of Balaam, son of Beor, who loved the wage of unrighteousness. But he had a rebuke of his own lawbreaking. A mute donkey, uttering in a man's voice, restrained the madness of the prophet. These men are waterless wells, and clouds driven by a fierce wind, for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved into an age. For, uttering swollen things of vanity, they entice (to sensuality by lusts of flesh) those who actually escaped from those who live in error, promising them freedom, while they themselves are bondmen of corruption, for by what any man has been overcome, of this he has also been enslaved.
Beloved, making all diligence to write to you about the common salvation, I had need to write to you exhorting you to earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the sanctified. For certain men have sneaked in, those written about formerly for this condemnation, irreverent men, perverting the grace of our God into licentiousness, and denying our only Master God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. read more. Now I want to remind you, ye having known this once, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the heavenly agents who did not keep their own principality, but left their own habitation, he has kept reserved in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day. As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, the same kind of way with these who indulged in fornication, and who went rear of queer flesh, are set forth an example, undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. Nevertheless in the same way also these men who dream, indeed defile flesh, and reject lordship, and speak evil of dignities. But Michael the arch-agent, when he disputed with the devil, contending about the body of Moses, dared not bring a railing judgment, but said, May Lord rebuke thee.
But Michael the arch-agent, when he disputed with the devil, contending about the body of Moses, dared not bring a railing judgment, but said, May Lord rebuke thee. But these men indeed revile whatever they have not seen. But whatever they understand naturally, as the irrational beasts, in these things they are corrupted. read more. Woe to them! Because they went in the way of Cain, and rushed to the error of Balaam's reward, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are reefs in your love-feasts, feasting together, fearlessly tending to themselves, waterless clouds carried along by winds, autumn trees without fruit, who died twice having being uprooted, wild waves of the sea foaming out their own shame, wandering stars for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved into an age. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men, saying, Behold, Lord came with his holy myriads,
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men, saying, Behold, Lord came with his holy myriads, to execute judgment against all, and to convict all the irreverent of them about all the works of their own irreverence that they have done irreverently, and about all the harsh things that irreverent sinners spoke against him.
to execute judgment against all, and to convict all the irreverent of them about all the works of their own irreverence that they have done irreverently, and about all the harsh things that irreverent sinners spoke against him. These are grumblers, fault-finders, going according to their lusts, and their mouth speaks overblown things, marveling personages for the sake of advantage. read more. But ye, beloved, remember the sayings previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they told you that there will be scoffers during the last time, going according to their own desires of irreverences. These are those who make divisions, world-soul men, not having Spirit. But ye beloved, building up yourselves in your most holy faith, praying in Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. And on some be ye merciful--being discerning. And in fear save some, snatching them out of the fire, hating even the garment that was stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep them non-stumbling, and to present before his glory, unblemished in gladness, to the only wise God our Savior, is glory, majesty, dominion and power, both now and into all the ages. Truly.