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 publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus;
that is, the sons of thunder) And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus,
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are beloved of God the Father, and preserved through 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 brethren, James and Joses and Simon and Judas?
And as he sat on the mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answering said, Take heed that no man deceive you. read more. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and shall deceive many.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and shall deceive many. And ye will hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass: but the end is not yet. read more. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places: All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you to be afflicted, 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 rise and shall deceive many.
And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved. read more. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world, for a testimony to all nations: and then shall the end come. When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (he that readeth, let him understand;) Then let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains: Let not him that is on the house-top, come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him who is in the field return back to take his clothes. But wo to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days. And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not from the beginning of the world to this time, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, those days shall be shortened. Then if any say to you, Lo here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For false Christs and false prophets shall arise and shew great signs and wonders, so that they would deceive (if it were possible) even the elect. Behold I have told you before.
Is not this the carpenter? The son of Mary, the brother of James and Joses, and of Judas and Simon! And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes, Jude the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who also was the traitor.
The former treatise have I composed, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach,
And when they were come in, they went up into the upper-room, where both Peter and James, and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Jude the brother of James tarried.
But a certain man, named Simon, had been before in the city, using magic, and astonishing the Samaritans, saying, that he was some great one. To whom they all gave heed from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. read more. They gave heed to him, because he had a long time astonished them with witchcraft. But when they believed Philip, preaching the things of the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. And Simon himself believed also; and being baptized, he continued with Philip, and was astonished, beholding the signs and mighty miracles which were done. And the apostles who were at Jerusalem, hearing that Samaria had received the word of God, sent to them Peter and John: Who being come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And Simon seeing that thro' laying on of the hands of the apostles the Holy Ghost was given, offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought to purchase the gift of God with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee. For I see, thou art in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity. And Simon answering said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things, which ye have spoken, may come upon me.
And having gone through the whole isle to Paphos, they found a certain magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus. Who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man. He calling to him Barnabas and Saul, desired to hear the word of God. read more. But Elymas, the magician (so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul (who is also called Paul) filled with the Holy Ghost, and fixing his eyes upon him, said, O full of all guile and all mischief, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now behold the hand of the Lord is upon thee; and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately a mist and darkness fell upon him, and going about, he sought some to lead him. Then the proconsul, seeing what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
And hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And Paul laying his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied. read more. And they were in all about twelve men. And going into the synagogue,
And many of those who believed came, confessing and openly declaring their deeds. Many also of those who had practised curious arts, bringing their books together, burnt them before all men, and they computed the value of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
And hope shameth us not, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered.
according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, (according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began, But now made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, read more. made known to all nations for the obedience of faith) To the only wise God, to him be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen!
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit; for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But not altogether with the lewd persons of this world, or the covetous, or the rapacious, or idolaters, for then ye must go out of the world.
But in this which I declare, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
Then fourteen years after, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.
) And when James, and Cephas, and John, who undoubtedly were pillars, knew the grace that was given to me, they gave the right-hands of fellowships to me and Barnabas, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision: Only they desired that we would be mindful of the poor,
For before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those of the circumcision.
he hath now reconciled, By the body of his flesh, through death, to present you holy, and spotless, and unreproveable in his sight:
Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
) Knowing, beloved brethren, your election of God.
Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come, unless the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,
As I exhorted thee when I was going into Macedonia, abide at Ephesus; that thou mayest charge some to teach no other doctrine, Neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies,
Now to the king of eternity, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever, Amen.
Some mens sins are manifest before-hand, going before to judgment: and some they follow after.
evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing the gain is godliness. From such withdraw thyself.
For the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine, but will heap to themselves teachers, according to their own desires, having itching ears.
Do thy diligence to come to me shortly.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work:
Which he poured forth richly upon us,
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, to the end that they who have believed in God, be careful to excel in good works: these things are good and profitable to men.
Send forward with diligence Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, that they may want nothing.
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are beloved of God the Father, and preserved through Jesus Christ,
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are beloved of God the Father, and preserved through Jesus Christ, and called, Mercy unto you, and peace, and love be multiplied. read more. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you and exhort you, to contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were of old described before with regard to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. I am therefore willing to remind you, who once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
I am therefore willing to remind you, who once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
But these rail at all the things which they know not: and all the things which they know naturally, as the brute beasts, in these they are defiled.
These are they who separate themselves, sensual, not having the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying thro' the Holy Spirit. read more. Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And some, that are wavering, convince; Some save, snatching them out of the fire;
And some, that are wavering, convince; Some save, snatching them out of the fire; on others have compassion with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
on others have compassion with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to preserve you faultless in the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, read more. To the only God, our Saviour, be glory, and majesty, might and authority, both now and to all ages. Amen.
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, that thou canst not bear evil men; and thou hast tried those who say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast patience,
But thou hast this, that thou hatest the works of the Nicola?tans, which I also hate.
But I have a few things against thee, that thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicola?tans, which I hate.
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.
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 also among the people, as there shall likewise be false teachers among you, who will privily bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth will be evil spoken of. read more. And through covetousness will they with feigned speeches make merchandize of you, whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, delivered them to chains of darkness, to be reserved to judgment, And spared not the old world, (but he saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness) bringing a flood on the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example to them that should afterwards live ungodly: And delivered righteous Lot, vexed with the filthy behaviour of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds). The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unrighteous to the day of judgment to be punished. But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise government: presumptuous, self-willed; they are not afraid to rail at dignities: Whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, bring not a railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, born to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things they understand not, and shall perish in their own corruption, Receiving the reward of unrighteousness. They count it pleasure to riot in the day time; spots and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings, while they feast with you, Having eyes full of adultery, and that cease not from sin; beguiling unstable souls, having hearts exercised with covetousness, accursed children: Who have forsaken the right way and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam, the son of Boser, who loved the reward of unrighteousness. But he had a rebuke for his iniquity: the dumb ass, speaking with man's voice, forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds driven by a tempest, to whom the blackness of darkness is reserved for ever. For by speaking swelling words of vanity, they allure thro' the desire of the flesh, thro' wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them that live in error. While they promise them liberty, themselves are the slaves of corruption; for by whom a man is overcome, by him he is also brought into slavery.
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you and exhort you, to contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were of old described before with regard to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. read more. I am therefore willing to remind you, who once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels, who kept not their first dignity, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness to the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them, which in the same manner with these gave themselves over to fornication, and went after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. In like manner these dreamers also defile the flesh, despise authority, rail at dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed concerning the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed concerning the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these rail at all the things which they know not: and all the things which they know naturally, as the brute beasts, in these they are defiled. read more. Wo to them; for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah. These are spots in your feasts of love, while they banquet with you feeding themselves without fear: clouds without water, driven about of winds; trees without leaves, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. And of these also, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his holy ones,
And of these also, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his holy ones, To execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of them of all their ungodly deeds, which they have impiously committed, and of all the grievous things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
To execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of them of all their ungodly deeds, which they have impiously committed, and of all the grievous things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own desires, and their mouth speaketh great swelling things, having mens persons in admiration for advantage. read more. But ye, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. For they told you, In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly desires. These are they who separate themselves, sensual, not having the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying thro' the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And some, that are wavering, convince; Some save, snatching them out of the fire; on others have compassion with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to preserve you faultless in the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only God, our Saviour, be glory, and majesty, might and authority, both now and to all ages. Amen.