Commentary on The Book of Jude
Intro
Jude is the brother of James – the author of the Book of
James, and the half-brother of Jesus Christ. Jude initially did not believe
that Jesus was the Messiah until he rose from the dead (John 7:5; 1 Cor 15:6).
Scholars declare this book was written around 68-70 A.D. before the destruction
of Jerusalem by the Romans. No specific audience is identified, but we know
that Jude is addressing believers because in his salutation he says, “Those who
are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ (vs.1).”
This can only make reference to believers.
Jude’s letter was to discuss our common salvation, but the
Spirit of God guided him in another direction.
What Jude had to discuss to his readers
Jude had to warn his readers to contend earnestly for the
faith once and for all delivered unto the saints. To contend earnestly means to
wage war. To be a combatant for the truth. This is a truth war. Why? Because of
evil men, false teachers have perverted the grace of God into a word we do not
use in everyday language, licentiousness. It is a word that means
without moral restraint. These evil doers were dragging the grace of God underfoot
as an occasion to do evil. Jude goes on to describe them in great detail:
1.
They defile the flesh - this means they are sexually deviant. They are likened to Sodom and
Gomorrah who God destroyed for their immorality. They are also likened to those
who were delivered from Egypt but died in the wilderness due to unbelief. Also,
they are like the Angels that sinned in Genesis 6 by not keeping their first
estate. God has consigned them to eternal bonds of darkness (vv 5-7).
2.
They also do not respect authority – they are rebellious. To despise human authority is to
despise God who created human authority (Romans 13). Jude gives a cosmic
example of the situation regarding the body of Moses. Michael the archangel and
Satan disputed about the body of Moses. Why was this dispute taking place? Some
believe that if the children of Israel knew where Moses’ body was buried, the
site would become an object of worship which is idolatry. Pretty much what many people do today when
they visit the gravesites of their loved ones. They talk to the site as if the
dead can hear them. Michael did not rebuke Satan himself but declared, “The
Lord rebuke you! (vs. 9).” Although Satan is the arch enemy of God, Michael
knew his place and called upon the Lord to rebuke the devil.
3.
They blaspheme what they do not understand – to blaspheme is to use derogatory
or profane language against someone. Of course, the worst kind of blasphemy is
against the Lord. An apostate is someone who falls away and rebels against the
truth are spiritually inept and ignorant. Usually people like this talk
arrogantly about what they do not know. Especially when the subject is
spiritual matters.
4.
They are prophets for hire – They are like Balaam who sold himself for money. They are
also like rebellious Korah who challenged Moses’ authority and perished and all
those with him. (Num 16:34). Also, Cain who displeased the Lord by presenting
an unholy offering. They are unholy pseudo-spiritual prostitutes.
5.
They are hidden reefs or blemishes – you have to be careful regarding these people. They
sit in your worship services and they appear as legitimate saints when they are
not. Eating with you so they can pretentiously befriend you so they can
ultimately take advantage of you. Jude goes on to further describe them as: clouds
without water which is an oxymoron. We all expect clouds give us a rain
which feeds the earth and causes it to flourish and grow. Apostates once again
show their hypocrisy by appearing to be something they are not. Trees without fruit, doubly or twice dead,
uprooted. Jesus cursed the fig tree that didn’t have any fruit when he was
hungry. The next day it had withered and died (Mark 11:20). Why did He do this?
Because the tree was fruitless and useless. So were these false teachers Jude
describes. Wild waves of the sea casting up their own shame. This
description speaks to the instability of these individuals. Wandering stars whom
the black darkness has been reserved forever. Their destiny has been determined
because of the unwillingness to submit to the truth they have been exposed to.
Enoch’s Prophecy
Jude by inspiration of the Holy Spirit declared that Enoch
the seventh from Adam prophesied long ago about these apostates stating,
“Behold the Lord will come with many thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment
upon all and convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they
committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners
have spoken against Him” (vv 14-15).“ We have no codified record of this, but
there is an apocryphal[i]
pseudepigraphal[ii]
work entitled “The Book of Enoch”. The author(s) of this book placed this
prophecy in their writings to perhaps convince their readers that their work was
authentic. Apparently, Enoch’s prophecy was passed down through millennia until
it reached the second century B.C. when this book was written. The prophecy of
Enoch is real, but the book bearing his name is not. Once again, the Holy
Spirit moved Jude to declare Enoch’s prophecy. Jude did not quote from the Pseudepigraphal
Book of Enoch.
Jude continues to describe these wicked people as grumblers,
finding fault following after their own lusts. They also flatter with the
tongue in hopes of trying to take advantage of people (vs. 16). This should come
as no surprise Jude says because the apostles of the Lord said in the last days
mockers would rear their ugly heads. They are of the spirit of the antichrist
(1 John 4:3; 2 John1:7). They cause divisions in the church. They are unsaved,
worldly minded and devoid of God’s Spirit.
What we are supposed to do
Jude said for us to edify (to build up as a strong fortress)
ourselves on our most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit. This does not mean
pray in an ecstatic, unintelligible speech which many call tongues. But rather
praying by the leading of God’s Spirit (vs. 20).
We are to anticipate anxiously the mercy of the Lord Jesus
Christ which of course is eternal life. We are also to have patience
with those who doubt the truth. It does not mean they do not believe, but they
are not fully convinced. Their belief is not solid, so they need undergirding
due to perhaps an immature faith in God. It’s there but not strong where it is a
rock solid, unmovable faith (vv 21-22). Trusting God fully will take time. Teaching
consistent sound doctrine is loving and will cast out doubt and fear. One MUST
always expose themselves to Biblical truth so that faith will come (Romans
10:17). They can easily fall away if they listen to false doctrine – causing them
to forget and abandon the truth they knew. The Bible calls that shipwrecked
faith (1 Timothy 1:19).
The last group need the gospel so desperately that it’s
described as “snatching them out of the fire”. If the apostate’s unfortunate
followers do not receive the gospel, they will certainly perish in hell. They
are totally polluted with sin and must receive the gospel with haste due to the
apostate’s filthy doctrine. They are also in dire need of God’s mercy, the
apostate, and those defiled by their filthy teaching and ways. Jude says we are
to do this with fear even hating the clothing defiled by the flesh (vs. 23).
Filthy garments in scripture are symbolic of an unrighteous life. When we are
blood washed by the lamb (John 1:29; Rev 1:5), the Bible says we are wearing
white clean robes which symbolizes righteousness (Revelation 3:4,5,18). These
are given to us. We never earn them.
Jude ends his letter doxological letting us know that God
will keep us from falling (into apostasy) He will preserve us until the end and
present us blameless with great joy. Here’s a profound truth: Jude says to the only
God (meaning there is only one God in the universe) through Jesus Christ
our Lord be glory, majesty and dominion and authority forever (bold
italics added for emphasis). Jude is
declaring to God the attributes that already belong to Him. It is to our
advantage to ascribe these virtues to our God so that our lips bear fruit in
praise to His glorious, and matchless name [Hebrews 13:15(vv 24-25)].
Amen.
[i]
Apocryphal is the adjective version of the noun Apocrypha which means hidden.
[ii]
Pseudepigraphal is the adjective version of the noun Pseudepigrapha which means
false writings
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