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-gatherer; James son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname is Thaddeus;
and Andrew and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
JUDE a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are sanctified in God the Father, and preserved by Jesus Christ, the called:
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? his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Then as he was sitting upon the mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall there things be? and what is the sign of thy coming, and of the consummation of the age? And Jesus answering said unto them, Beware that no man deceive you. read more. For many will come in my name, saying, I am the Messiah; and shall deceive multitudes.
For many will come in my name, saying, I am the Messiah; and shall deceive multitudes. And ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars: see that ye be not terrified: for these things must first be, but the end is not yet. read more. For nation shall be roused up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. Now all these things are the beginning of the travailing pangs. Then shall they deliver you up to affliction, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many.
And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will grow cool.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will grow cool. But he that endureth to the end, that man will be saved. read more. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached through the whole world for a testimony to all the nations: and then shall come the final close. When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, erected in the holy place, (let him that readeth, mark this,) then let such as are in Judea flee into the mountains. Let not him who is upon the roof go down to take any thing out of his house. And he that is in the field, let him not turn back to take his garment. But wo to those who are with child, and have an infant at their breasts in those days! And pray that your flight be not in winter, nor on the sabbath. For then the tribulation will be great, such as never was from the beginning of the world, and never more shall be. And except those days were shortened, there would be no flesh saved: but for the elect's sake these days shall be shortened. Then if any man say unto you, Lo! here is the Messiah, or there; believe it not: for false Messiahs and false prophets shall arise, and give out great signs and wonders; so as to deceive, if it were possible, even the elect. Behold, I have forewarned you.
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses, and Judah and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Jude the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who also was the traitor.
THE former treatise, Theophilus, I composed, concerning all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach,
And when they had arrived, they went up to an upper room, where abode Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James son of Alpheus, and Simon the zealous, and Jude brother to James.
But a certain man, named Simon, lived previously in that city, who practised magic, and astonished the nation of Samaria, giving out himself as an extraordinary great personage: to whom all gave heed from the small to the great, saying, This man is the great power of God. read more. And to him they attended, because he had of a considerable time astonished them by his magical tricks. But when they believed Philip, who preached the glad tidings of the things which related to the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised both men and women. Then Simon also himself believed: and being baptised, he attached himself to Philip, and beholding the signs and great miracles which were performed, he was astonished. But when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: for as yet he had not fallen on any one of them: only they had been baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Now when Simon saw, that by the imposition of the apostles' hands, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Confer on me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, they may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, May thy silver with thyself go into perdition, because thou hast imagined that the gift of God can be purchased with money. There is for thee neither part nor lot in this word: for thy heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray to God, if haply this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee. For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity. Then Simon answering said, Pray ye for me unto the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken may come upon me.
Now as they travelled through the island as far as Paphos, they found a certain person who professed magic, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man; he inviting to his house Barnabas and Saul, desired earnestly to hear the word of God. read more. But Elymas the magician (for such is his name when interpreted) opposed them, seeking to pervert the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul (now Paul), filled with the Holy Ghost, and fixing his eyes upon him, said, O thou full of all guile and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease perverting the strait ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, seeing the sun no more for a season. And instantly there fell on him a thick mist and darkness; and groping about he sought some to lead him by the hand. Then when the proconsul saw what was done, he believed, being struck with the doctrine of the Lord.
Now when they heard it, they were baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus. And Paul laying on them his hands, the Holy Ghost came upon them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. read more. And the men were in all about twelve.
And many of those who believed came, confessing and declaring their practices. And many of those who practised magical arts brought the books, and burned them before all men; and they calculated the prices of them, and found them worth fifty thousand pieces of silver.
and hope doth not make us ashamed; because the love of God is poured out into our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.
In like manner also the Spirit affords assistance to our infirmities: for even this, what we should pray for as we ought, we know not: but the same Spirit more abundantly maketh intercession for us with groanings unutterable.
Now to him that is able to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, agreeable to the revelation of the mystery; which was concealed from all former ages, but is now made manifest, and by the prophetical scriptures, according to the commandment of the eternal God, notified to all the Gentiles to bring them to the obedience of faith: read more. to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are folly to him: and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters: for then must ye indeed go out of the world.
But in the matter I am going to denounce, I do not commend you, that ye meet together not for the better, but for the worse.
FOURTEEN years afterwards I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also along with us.
And when they knew the grace which was bestowed on me, James and Cephas and John, who appeared to be the pillars [of the church], gave unto me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision:
For before certain persons came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles, but when they were come, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing those of the circumcision.
by the body of his flesh, through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and irreprehensible in his presence:
rooted and built up on him, and confirmed in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
knowing, brethren, beloved of God, your election.
Let no man deceive you in any way: because that cannot be till the apostasy come first, and the man of sin appear, the son of perdition,
As I exhorted thee to abide at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest enjoin certain persons to introduce no different doctrine,
Now to the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Some men's sins are glaringly manifest, going before to judgment; and after others also they follow [to detection].
perverse wranglings of men corrupt in mind, and destitute of truth, who think to make gain of godliness; depart from such men.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own inclinations will set up a herd of teachers for themselves, having the itch of hearing;
Hasten to come to me shortly:
REMIND them to be subject to princes and those invested with authority, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work,
which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Faithful is the saying, and of these things I wish thee firmly to testify, that they who have believed in God be careful to be pre-eminent in good works. These are becoming and advantageous to men.
Send forward diligently Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, that nothing may be wanting for them.
JUDE a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are sanctified in God the Father, and preserved by Jesus Christ, the called:
JUDE a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are sanctified in God the Father, and preserved by Jesus Christ, the called: mercy unto you, and peace and love be multiplied. read more. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you concerning the common salvation, I held it necessary to write unto you, exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints. For certain men have craftily introduced themselves, who were from of old proscribed for this condemnation, ungodly men, changing the grace of God into impurity, and denying our only sovereign God and Lord, Jesus Christ. But I would remind you, though ye once knew this, that the Lord, though he delivered the people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who believed not.
But I would remind you, though ye once knew this, that the Lord, though he delivered the people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who believed not.
But these men speak evil even of the things of which they have no knowledge: but such things as they know naturally, as the brute beasts, in these they corrupt themselves.
These are the men who separate themselves, sensual, destitute of the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying by the Holy Ghost, read more. preserve yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, distinguishing their case;
And of some have compassion, distinguishing their case; and others save with trembling, snatching them out of the fire; though hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
and others save with trembling, snatching them out of the fire; though hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now to him who is able to guard you from stumbling, and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with exultation, read more. to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, might and dominion, both now and unto all eternity. Amen.
I know thy works, and thy travail, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear the wicked; and hast tried those who give themselves out as apostles, yet are not, and hast found them liars;
But this thou holdest, that thou abhorrest the deeds of the Nicolatans, which I also abhor.
Yet I have a few things against thee, that thou hast there some who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to lay a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat of idol sacrifices, and to commit whoredom. Thou hast also some who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I abhor.
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, who was of the wicked one, and slew his brother: and wherefore did he slay him? Because his own works were wicked, and those of his brother righteous.
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 there were false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers also among you, who wickedly introduce damnable heresies, and deny the sovereign Lord who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. And many will go out of the way after their fatal errors; by means of whom the way of truth will be injuriously reviled. read more. And with plausible speeches will they avariciously make gain of you whose condemnation from of old lingereth not, and their perdition doth not slumber. For if God spared not the angels when they sinned, but casting them bound in chains of darkness into hell, delivered them to be kept fast until the judgment; and spared not the old world, but guarded safely Noah the eighth person, the preacher of righteousness, when he brought a deluge on the world of the ungodly: and reducing the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, condemned them to final destruction, making them an example for all who in future should live ungodly; but righteous Lot, afflicted grievously with the infamously impure conduct of those lawless men, he plucked out: for by seeing and hearing, that righteous man whilst sojourning among them, suffered torment day by day in his righteous soul from their lawless doings; the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, but to reserve the wicked unto the day of judgment to be punished: especially such as walk after the flesh in the eager pursuit of defilement, and despise government. Daring, self-sufficient, they tremble not at dignities, railing against them. Whereas the angels, though so much greater in might and power, bring not a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. But these men, as the naturally irrational brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil of the things of which they are ignorant, will perish by their own corruption; receiving the recompence of iniquity, counting daily luxury their pleasure; spots and blemishes, when they feast together with you; riotously indulging in their own delusions: having eyes full of adultery, and insatiable of sin; ensnaring souls of no stability; having a heart practised in all the wiles of covetousness; children for a curse: who forsaking the strait road are gone out of the way, following the path of Balaam the son of Bosor who loved the wages of iniquity. But received a reproof for his peculiar transgression: the dumb ass articulating with a human voice restrained the perverseness of the prophet. These are fountains without water, clouds driven by a hurricane; for whom the blackness of darkness for ever is reserved. Uttering pompous discourses of inanity, ensnaring by the lusts of the flesh, by lascivious impurities, those who had truly escaped from such as live in a course of delusion. Preaching liberty to them, while they themselves are the slaves of corruption: for by whatever a man is overcome, by that also he is enslaved.
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you concerning the common salvation, I held it necessary to write unto you, exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints. For certain men have craftily introduced themselves, who were from of old proscribed for this condemnation, ungodly men, changing the grace of God into impurity, and denying our only sovereign God and Lord, Jesus Christ. read more. But I would remind you, though ye once knew this, that the Lord, though he delivered the people out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those who believed not. And the angels who preserved not their own primitive state, but deserted their proper abode, hath he reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day. As Sodom and Gomorrha and the surrounding cities, in like manner with them abandoned to whoredom, and going after other flesh, are set forth an example, suffering the judicial punishment of eternal fire. In like manner also do these men, even when they dream, defile indeed the flesh, despise sovereignty, and revile dignities. Though Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not to produce a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Though Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not to produce a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these men speak evil even of the things of which they have no knowledge: but such things as they know naturally, as the brute beasts, in these they corrupt themselves. read more. Wo unto them! for they have walked in the way of Cain, and have eagerly run in Balaam's erroneous path of hire, and have perished in opposition, like Corah. These are in your feasts of love, as sunken rocks; though joining in your banquet, they feed themselves fearlessly; clouds without water carried about by the winds; trees untimely withering, fruitless, twice dead, rooted up; raging billows of the sea foaming out their own infamies; stars wandering from their courses, for whom the blackness of darkness for ever is reserved. Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied also of these men, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with myriads of his saints,
Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied also of these men, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with myriads of his saints, to execute judgment against all men, and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness which they have impiously committed, and of all the bitter words which impious offenders have spoken against him.
to execute judgment against all men, and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness which they have impiously committed, and of all the bitter words which impious offenders have spoken against him. These men are murmurers, complainers at their lot in life, walking after their own corrupt passions; and their mouth utters hyperbolically pompous expressions, pretending high personal admiration, in order to make their advantage. read more. But ye, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, how they told you that in the last time there will be scoffers, walking after their own ungodly passions. These are the men who separate themselves, sensual, destitute of the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying by the Holy Ghost, preserve yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, distinguishing their case; and others save with trembling, snatching them out of the fire; though hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now to him who is able to guard you from stumbling, and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with exultation, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, might and dominion, both now and unto all eternity. Amen.