Preamble
In the Believers Bible Commentary, in the introduction
section of the Epistle of Jude, there is an excellent description on apostasy, so
it is included here. What isn’t included is their later comparison between the
Epistles Jude and 2 Peter because I wanted believers to read and be focused on
what they have written on apostasy and take it to heart, for that is why Jude
and 2 Peter are given us, so an excerpt from their commentary on Jude is included
bellow, for I’m sure it will answer some questions out there.
“Jude is concerned
with apostasy. Even in his day, the church was already being infiltrated by religious
Quislings, men who posed as servants of God but who were actually enemies of
the cross of Christ. Jude’s purpose is to expose these traitors and to describe
their ultimate doom. An apostate is a person who professes to be a true
believer but who, as a matter of fact, has never been regenerated. He may
be baptized and participate fully in the privileges of a local Christian
fellowship. But after a while, he willfully abandons the Christian faith and
maliciously renounces the Savior. He denies the deity of Christ, His redemptive
work at Calvary, His bodily resurrection, or other fundamental doctrines.
It is not at all a
question of backsliding; the apostate was never converted at all. He has no
qualms about his deliberate spurning of God’s only way of salvation. He is
hardened in his unbelief and stubbornly opposed to the Christ of God.
Apostasy is not
simply a question of denying the
Savior. Peter did that. Peter was a true believer who buckled under the
pressures of a crisis. But he really loved the Lord and demonstrated the
reality of his faith by his subsequent repentance and restoration.
Judas Iscariot was
an apostate. He professed to be a disciple; he traveled with the Lord Jesus for
about three years. He even served as treasurer of the team, but finally he
revealed his true self by betraying the Lord for thirty pieces of silver.
Apostasy is a sin
leading to death, one that lies beyond the responsibility of believers’ prayers
(1 Jn. 5:16b). It is impossible to renew an apostate to repentance, since he
crucifies to himself the Son of God, and puts Him to open shame (Heb. 6:6). For
those who thus sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, “there
no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of
judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Heb. 10:26,
27).
The seeds of
apostasy were already sown in the early church. Paul warned the Ephesian elders
that after his departure savage wolves would come in, not sparing the flock,
and that from among themselves, men would rise up, speaking perverse things, to
draw away disciples after themselves (Acts 20:29, 30). In his First Epistle,
John spoke of those antichrists who had been in the Christian fellowship but
who manifested their unreality by leaving it, that is, by abandoning their
faith (1 Jn. 2:18, 19).
In 2 Thessalonians
2:2–4 we learn that there will be a great apostasy prior to the Day of the
Lord. As we understand it, the order will be this:
First, the Lord
will come into the air to take the church to the Father’s house (John 14:1–3; 1
Thess. 4:13–18).
Then there will be
a wholesale defection of those nominal Christians who are left behind.
Then the man of
sin will make his public debut on the world stage.
Then the Day of
the Lord will begin—the seven-year Tribulation Period.
The man of sin
will be the arch-apostate—not only opposing Christ but demanding that he
himself be worshiped as God.”
Commentary
Vs. 1-2 1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
The Apostle Jude in opening his epistle, addresses himself as a bondservant of Jesus Christ, this is significant because his epistle has been given us by God to expose all of those who are not bondservants of Jesus Christ, who are apostates, whose lives and persons, though in the faith, reflect none of its fruits and virtues. Now as to Jude himself (Jude is the short form of Judas) he is the brother of James (i.e., the brother of Jesus, see Mark 6:3) and thus would’ve been an eye witness to Jesus Christ’s life, death, resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:14). Jude then in addressing his epistle does so to us all who are sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ (by God’s Holy Spirit). That is those whom are God’s elect, the ones He Himself has chosen to believe in His Son Jesus Christ. Now before moving into the heart of the matter, Jude wants us who due believe in and due belong to the Lord Jesus Christ to know that his Holy Spirit Word’s exhortation given here is not against us but for us, and so he concludes his opening address by saying to us, “Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.”
Vs. 3 “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
Vs. 4 “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Jude in exhorting us to contend for the faith now describes the manner of person of the apostate, calling them men who creep into assembles and peoples lives, that is they make their way in unnoticed as to their nature and character. Nonetheless God knows their true nature and character, that though they play the role of a believer, they have neither faith in, nor love for the Lord Jesus Christ. And so, Jude says that they have already been marked out for this condemnation, that is already marked by God as apostates, “ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Two things then
that they do, first is they turn the grace of God into lewdness, thus they make
God’s grace which brings His salvation to every repentant and believing sinner
into a license for justifying and accepting all manner of sexual immorality!
And so, whether this is downplaying illicit sexual relationships, like
fornication and or adultery, or now justifying and normalizing all manner of
homosexuality or transgender perversions; all which have always been and will
always be an abomination to the Lord, in both the Old and New Testaments; these
ungodly men and woman not only do and pursue these sorts of things, but
they even go so far as to teach that God’s grace now allows people to practice these
sins! I can’t then stress it enough that in these last days as sinners reach
their fulness that we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ need to come out
and be separate from them, from all their Godless works and ways.
Next and most crucially
then is that they even deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus,
they deny that God is One, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. And or they deny our Lord
Jesus Christ, which again may be any aspect of His Person, His Life, His Death,
His Resurrection, or His Ascension, where He is now seated at the right hand of
God the Father waiting till all of His enemies are made His footstool. And thus,
any aspect of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done in accomplishing eternal
salvation for us all who believe in Him who are now waiting on His Return and
His setting up His everlasting Kingdom.
Vs. 5-7 5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
6 And
the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He
has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great
day; 7 as
Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these,
having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh,
are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Thus, whether
individuals, or angels, or whole cites and nations, those who choose to do and
pursue what God hates will only have His judgment and wrath. So too then every
believer should tremble and fear at the notion of being caught up in their sins
and transgressions, lest we too be delivered to the eternal flame as they all were,
because they would not repent of their homosexuality and all their sexual
perversions that they were openly and brazenly practicing. For as Jude says
they have been set forth as an example for all those who would afterward live
ungodly lives, (vs. 7; Gen. 19:1-29), An example of God’s eternal judgment and
wrath against all such things!
Vs. 8 “Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.”
In denouncing these apostates, Jude now calls them dreamers, that is they are false prophets who live by their own imaginations and dreams which they exalt and tell as if these were the very Word of God (Antithesis Deut. 29:29). And so, in living in the depravity, and by wickedness of their own imaginations and minds, they also defile the flesh, that is defile themselves sexually, in all manner of perversions and sins just as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah did.
Next Jude says
these sorts of people can be identified by their rejection of authority;
unless they themselves are the authors of it; and yet we as Christians are
clearly commanded by God to obey all authority, both inside and outside of the
church, just as the Bible says, “Let
every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority
except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore
whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who
resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Rom. 13:1-2
(also see Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17). Those then who would use their
“religious freedoms, rights, and liberties” to reject or defy lawful authority,
whether this is public health orders, or anything else that does not command us
to deny our faith in Jesus Christ, have no grounds before God for doing so. In
fact, they should not be surprised when God uses the same lawful authority to
judge them! Having then exposed and rebuked their rebellious nature, Jude says another
trait of them is their total inhibitions towards speaking evil of dignitaries
(see 2 Peter 2:10). Which can be angelic beings like Satan, or more readily
those who govern and rule in the church and in society. For though we as
Christians can have dissenting or criticizing views, (with these or with
others), we are never permitted to malign, defame, or speak evil of them, or
anyone for that matter (Titus 3:2; James 4:11). Again, reverence for God begins
with a healthy reverence for His Word and thus those offices and authorities
which He has established to govern us all.
Vs. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Now in exposing their folly in fearlessly speaking evil of dignitaries Jude now cites Michael the arch archangel, (who watches over Israel), who when he contended with the devil over the body of Moses, dared not bring a reviling accusation, but said the Lord rebuke you! (also consider Zechariah 3:1-5). Therefore, though certain believers have been taught and told to claim all kinds of spiritual power and authority over Satan, one must never be so reckless as to bring a reviling accusation against him. Caution then is the better part of valor when we as mere mortals seek to exercise Christ’s spiritual authority and power in the spiritual realm, for whatever authority and power we have been given is only enabled by God Himself, who will not enable us to do anything if we recklessly and carelessly try to employ it (consider Acts 19:11-20).
Vs. 10 “But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.”
Such then is their Spiritual ignorance and irreverence that Jude now says that they speak evil of whatever they do not know, (that is those commandments and Spiritual truths contained within in the Word of God), for even if given them, they will not submit themselves to them, but will only speak evil of them, as they are rebuked and exposed by them. Indeed, though they claim to be and try to talk so “spiritual” all they really are is natural brute beasts, who like animals only corrupt themselves in all things that they know naturally, that is all they know and serve is their own debased and bodily appetites, for that’s the extent of their “spirituality.”
Vs. 11 “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”
Therefore, the Word of God says, “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain…”, that is they have sought to make their own way to God through their own means, rather than accepting the Substitution and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Therefore, in so doing they have hated all the children of God who became His children by His grace through faith in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. “Have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit…” And so, like Balaam the Old Testament prophet who only sought to use, and then used his office and position as means for his own financial gain so do they. “And perished in the rebellion of Korah.” Korah was the man who led the rebellion against Moses and Aaron (Num. 16:1-40), who rebelled against God’s given authority, therefore he and his household were openly judged and condemned by God when He made the earth swallow them up in the wilderness, which then is a warning to us all that just as he did not enter the Promised Land, neither will anyone else who also follows their ways and paths enter the Kingdom of God.
Vs. 12-13 12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.
Now Jude’s next analogy of them is likewise graphic, calling them, “late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots”
These then have neither Spirit life, nor Spirit fruit
in their lives (Gal. 5:22-23). Indeed, Jude makes it clear that they are not
only Spiritually dead, but they are incapable of ever producing anything of
Spirit of Christ because they are as he says, twice dead pulled up by the
roots. Thus, though they strive to sound “spiritual”, for they love to have the
place of pre-eminence as speakers and orators, yet there is nothing in them, or
that comes from, that is bearing or bringing the life and Person of Jesus
Christ to anyone.
Jude’s last analogy from nature of them is the most damning, for he now describes them as, “raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” Vs. 13
First then, “raging waves of the sea”, that is they are loud, boisterous, who will not
submit themselves to the ordinances of God or man, but rather theirs is always
the place of expressing wrath and fury, especially against anyone or anything
which tries to subdue them. “foaming up their own shame” That is like
the waves of the sea which also toss up foam on the shoreline, so do these also
bring forth their own shameful words and conduct. “wandering stars for whom
is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” Wandering stars are those
heavenly bodies that do not follow any regular orbit ([1]BBC), and thus are useless for either navigation or
determining the times and seasons, Jude then in describing them as such
is describing their persons and manner of life which is not rooted and grounded
in keeping the commandments of Christ, but moves about according to their own lusts
and desires, and thus they are useless for guiding anyone else. Their persons
and lives then are not to followed, for as Jude says of them, they have been
reserved for the blackness of darkness forever.
Vs. 14-15 14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
Such then is the foreknowledge of God that from the very beginning God spoke through Enoch, the seventh of Adam, who prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
All these vile and Godless men, both inside and outside of the house of faith, who have lived ungodly lives, and have spoken blasphemous and ungodly things against the Lord, these will all see and experience His Judgment and Wrath on the Day of His Manifestation and Revelation to all the world. This prophecy then is seen fulfilled in Revelations 19:11-16.
Vs. 16 “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.”
Jude goes even further in describing what kind of people they are, saying they are grumblers, complainers, who just as the Wilderness Israelites were always finding fault with Moses and Aaron, so these are always grumbling and complaining about the church’s leadership and the decisions that they make. Basically, they are the ones who are always sowing the seeds of discord and unbelief behind the scenes, for when they are not finding fault with the church’s leadership and or His people, then they are finding fault with the Lord and His Word, always questioning either His Presence or His Work in this world, and this they do all while they themselves are only living according to their own lusts. Indeed, Jude goes on to say that on the one hand they mouth great swelling words; to incite people to their side and cause; while on the other they flatter people to gain advantage; that is, they speak too and thus manipulate people’s feelings, dreams, and desires all for their own pleasure, profit, and gain.
Vs. 17-19 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Vs. 20-21 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Having thoroughly rebuked and exposed all apostates, false teachers, and all false brethren, Jude now turns to us, God’s children, once again calling us beloved, exhorting us all to build ourselves up in our most holy faith, (that is continue to believe in and live by the Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles commandments), praying always in the Holy Spirit, which means praying to God our Father, personally, passionately, reverently and not as a display before anyone, for we don’t “prove our faith” by publicly making long winded prayers, or by trying to look Spirit filled before others, we prove it in secret, in our Holy Spirit filled and guided prayers to and before God in heaven, which are born out of keeping Jesus Christ’s Word and abiding in His Person and love. Therefore, as Jude says beloved brethren keep yourselves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Vs. 22-23 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Jude in exhorting us to keep ourselves and our faith holy, now tells us to use discernment when we encounter people who have all kinds of erroneous ideas, that on some of these we are to have compassion; that is, we are to make a distinction (vs. 22) between those who have only been victims of such things, and those who are actively propagating and profiting from such things (see 2 John 10-11). While on others we are to save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh (vs. 23). Thus, when dealing with people coming out of sexual sins, a believer must be very careful not to find themselves ensnared by their sexual sins. Anything then related to those sins then should be shunned.
Vs. 24-25 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
This then is Jude’s benediction, a strong and encouraging Word from God for us all, to keep our faith in Him, for He is able to keep us from stumbling into sins and transgressions, and He will present us faultless before His Presence of His glory with exceeding joy, therefore, “To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”
Their ungodly words and deeds are now described in more detail. They are grumblers, complaining against the providences of God instead of being thankful for His mercies. The fact that God hates such griping is abundantly proved by His punishment of Israel in the wilderness. They are always finding fault with the Lord. Why does He permit wars and suffering? Why doesn’t He put an end to all the social injustice? If He is all-powerful, why doesn’t He do something about the mess the world is in? They also find fault with God’s people for being narrow-minded in creed and puritanical in conduct.[2]
Scripture Quotations
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 2337). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 711). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
*Gleaned from Word Studies in the New Testment; Vincet, Marvin R.
† See
p. ii.
[1]
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible
Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 2343).
Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[2]
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible
Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 2344).
Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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