Transcript The Epistle of Jude

The Epistle
of Jude
A Call For
Earnest
Contention
Resources
• The Expositor on Jude by Bro. Mansfield
• The Epistle of Jude by Bro. Ullman
- Christadelphianstudies.com
• Jude Bible Marking Notes by Bro. Cowie
- Adelphosweb.com
• Various references to the letter of Jude in
the writings of Bro. Thomas.
Who Was Jude?
• Jude, the Lord’s half brother –
Matt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3; Gal. 1:19
I am become a stranger unto my
brethren, and an alien unto my
mother’s children. Psa 69:8
Why Did He Write?
• He wrote concerning the common
salvation.
• The letter is a call to contention.
• The letter is an endorsement of apostolic
teaching, particularly 2 Peter.
• Shows that the corruption within the
Ecclesias, prophesied earlier by the
apostles, had become a reality.
Why Did He Write?
• v. 4 "There are certain men crept in, unawares. "
• v.10 "These speak evil. . . "
• v.11 "They have gone in the way of Cain . . . "and
ran greedily after the error of Balaam . . ."
• v.12 "These are spots in your feasts . . ."
• v.16 "These are murmurers, complainers, walking
after their own lusts . . . Their mouths speaketh
great swelling words”
• v.19 “These be they who separate themselves”
Who Were the False Teachers?
• They were brethren who had taken up an
extreme position in opposition to the
Judaizers.
Shall we continue in sin, that grace may
abound? Rom 6:1-2
Who Were the False Teachers?
• Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away (the-RV, WEY) disciples after them.
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three
years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Acts 20:30,31
• As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in
which are some things hard to be understood, which they that
are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other
scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved,
seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being
led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own
stedfastness. 2 Pet 3:16,17
• See also: 2 Pet. 2:3, 18, 20; 3; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1
Who Were the False Teachers?
• They had craftily perverted the apostolic
doctrine:
By grace are ye saved, through faith;
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift
of God Eph. 2:8
Three Key Words
1. "Beloved" Occurs 3 times. V.1, 17, 20.
2. "Ungodly" Occurs 6 times. (The number
of flesh!) V.4, 15, 18.
3. "Preserved" Occurs 5 times. V.1,
rendered "reserved", V.6, 13; "kept", V.6;
and "keep", v. 21.
Thus both parties are "reserved" for something in the
Divine purpose: the "beloved" will be preserved to inherit
the Kingdom; the "ungodly" will be "reserved" for Divine
judgment!
Outline of the Epistle
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1. INTRODUCTION — Vv. 1-2
*What constitutes a true Believer Vv. 1- 2
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2. THE NEED TO CONTEND — APOSTATE
TEACHERS — Vv. 3-16
*Their evil perversions: Three basic denials .... Vv. 3- 4
*Their certain doom: Three historic examples Vv. 5- 7
*Their impious ways: Three historic examples Vv. 8-11
*Their utter depravity: Six terrible metaphors Vv. 12-13
*Their final destruction: Enoch's testimony .... Vv. 14-16
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3. THE WAY TO CONTEND — AVAILABLE
RESOURCES — Vv. 17-25
* Recognize that apostasy has been foretold Vv. 17-18
* Analyze actions and fruits V. 19
*Draw upon Divine resources Vv. 20-21
*Seek to reclaim where possible Vv. 22-23
*Rest upon the help of Yahweh Vv. 24-25
•
The natural division in this epistle occurs at verse 17 with the statement: "But, beloved". Having warned them of
the dangerous influence of apostasy, Jude then instructs his readers how to counter it.
What Constitutes a True Believer
Verses 1-2
• For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s
freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s
servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of
men. 1 Cor. 7:22
• Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according
to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your
heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but
as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same
shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Eph
6:5-8
What Constitutes a True Believer
Verses 1-2
• That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the
washing of water by the word Eph 5:26
• As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves
according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But
as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in
all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be
ye holy; for I am holy 1 Pet. 1:14-16
What Constitutes a True Believer
Verses 1-2
• “Preserved” - Gk. tereo — "to watch over,
guard, preserve"—a military term.
• “Called” — Gk. Kletos — derived from klesis,
which forms part of the word for "ecclesia". It
conveys the idea of a call or invitation, or
appointment to an office; and also the welcome
that one receives on such occasions. It is
therefore a word which defines the wonderful
binding together in love, of the family of God.
What Constitutes a True Believer
Verses 1-2
• The "call" to the truth involves:
-INVITATION
-SEPARATION
-DEDICATION
Jude’s Urgency
Verse 3
• "When I gave all diligence to write unto you" — "Though I was
using all diligence to be writing unto you concerning our
common salvation, yet have I had necessity to write AT ONCE
unto you", (Rotherham, our emphasis).
• "diligence" — Gk. spoude — "earnestness, zeal, and sometimes
the haste with which a thing is done".
• "The common salvation" — Gk. koines — somewhat akin to the
word for "fellowship" (koinonia). Koines means "belonging to
several". This phrase represents a further reminder to Jude's
readers that the Brotherhood of Christ held the one faith and the
hope of salvation in "common", as a community. The community of
Believers must therefore be of one mind on all vital elements of the
one faith.
Jude’s Urgency
Verse 3
• "And exhort you" — Gk. parakaleo — From "para"
("to the side") and "kaleo" ("to call"), thus, "to call to
one's side".
• Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said,
Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me.
And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves
together unto him. EX. 32:26
Jude’s Urgency
Verse 3
•
•
"That ye should earnestly contend" — Gk. epagonizomai (Strg.
Bullinger)—"to contend about a thing, as a combatant" (Vine)
Described by some authors as the strongest word in the New Testament,
the word literally means “super-agony”.
– Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that
whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs,
that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith
of the gospel Phil. 1:27
– This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies
which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare
1 Tim. 1:18
– Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art
also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1 Tim. 6:12
– I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but
unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Tim 4:7-8
Jude’s Urgency
Verse 3
• "The faith" — This was to be the subject of the contention. "The
faith" is not something vague or abstract; nor is it mere theoretic
knowledge. It is “the power (English, dynamo) of God unto
salvation” Rom. 1:16
• “The faith" comes by "hearing . . .the word of God" Rom. 10:17.
• Without “the faith” it is impossible to please God – Heb. 11:6
• It has been delivered as a finality- “once for all” (R.V. and Roth)
The Three Basic Denials
Verse 4
•
"Crept in unawares" — This phrase is one word in the Greek, pareisduno
— "to settle in alongside; to lodge stealthily" (Strong); "to slip in, insinuate
one's self, to go or come in by stealth" (Bullinger).
– And that because of false brethren unawares brought in,
who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in
Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage Gal. 2:4
– But there were false prophets also among the people, even
as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall
bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that
bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of
whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 2 Pet. 2:1
– How did such men manage to rise to prominence and influence
in the Ecclesias? Matt. 13:24-25. Cp. Acts 20:29-31; Eph. 5:1314
The Three Basic Denials
Verse 4
• Liberty to License
• Misunderstood the Doctrine of the
Atonement
• Denied the Doctrine of God Manifestation
Their Certain Doom
Three Historic Examples
Verses 5-7
• The Children of Israel – the doom of
faithlessness. (Lust of Eyes)
• The Angels Which Kept Not Their First Estate
– the fate of pride. (Pride of Life)
• Sodom and Gomorrha – the destiny of selfindulgence and depravity. (Lust of Flesh)
The Children of Israel – The
Doom of Faithlessness
“Men were not ushered into being for the
purpose of being saved or lost! God
Manifestation, not human salvation, was
the great purpose of the Eternal Spirit. The
salvation of a multitude is incidental to the
manifestation, but not the end proposed.”
-Dr.
Thomas
The Children of Israel – The
Doom of Faithlessness
• Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed
lest he fall 1 Cor. 10:12
• They might be unto Yahweh for a people, and
a name and a praise and a glory Jer. 13:11
• Every one that is called by My Name . . . I
have created him for My glory Isa. 43:7
The Angels Which Kept Not Their
First Estate – The Fate of Pride
• The rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram Num. 16,
Num. 26:9-11. 27:3, Deut. 11:6-8. Psa. 106:16-18
• They "left their first estate," or "their own principality"
(see mg.) or position of authority. The word archon, here
translated "estate," signifies "authority," or "rule."
• Habitation – “they deserted their proper abode”
Weymouth, “they forsook their proper dwelling” Roth.
Sodom and Gomorrha – The Destiny
of Self- Indulgence and Depravity
•
•
•
Not just their sin but their attitude towards it…The shew of their
countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as
Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded
evil unto themselves Isa. 3:9
The people openly supported the wicked in opposition to the
righteous… I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible
thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the
hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they
are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as
Gomorrah Jer. 23:14
Their sin was fleshly pride induced by idleness…Behold, this was the
iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of
idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen
the hand of the poor and needy Ezek. 16:49
Sodom and Gomorrha – An Example of the
Destruction Awaiting Babylon the Great Rev. 14:10, 18:8
• “Her judgment is consummated by a fiery overthrow—“she will be
consumed in fire”. The foulness and filthiness of her abominations,
and the similitude of the fate that awaits her, has caused the Great
City and State to be “spiritually called Sodom and Egypt” (ch. 11:8).
The punishment of Sodom will be Rome’s, and perhaps, that also of
the whole “Patrimony of St. Peter”. This will consummate the
plagues which begin her torment and sorrow in one and the same
year after the Aion-tidings of good salutes the ears of Israel in
Rome. But following upon “pestilence, and famine” is the twofold
rendering of torment and anguish by the troops of Michael, the Great
Prince, who invades her territory and becomes a smoking furnace of
judgment, “a lake of fire burning with brimstone” (ch. 19:19). From
this she never emerges, and therefore, like Sodom, suffers the
vengeance of a fire which is eternal (Jude 7)”
-Dr. Thomas
Their Impious Ways
Verse 8
• "Likewise" — The word signifies "in like
manner," and not merely "also."
• Rotherham “In their dreamings”,
sometimes a divine agency Acts 2:17. But
the law warned against false dreamers
Duet 13:1-5, Jer. 23:22-32
Their Impious Ways
Verse 8
• "Defile the flesh" — They recognize no restrictions as
to what they can do, and thus indulge in the grossest
immorality, as did Sodom.
• "Despise dominion" — They despise "lordship"
(Diaglott), or authority, divine or otherwise, as did Korah,
Dathan and Abiram.
• "Speak evil of dignities"—Lit. they "blaspheme glories"
(doxas) that which should be the subject of praise (see 2
Pet. 2:10).
Their Impious Ways
Verse 9
• The example of Michael the Archangel:
- “Who is like EL”
- The Angel of Yahweh’s presence Isa. 63:9, Ex.
23: 20-23; 33:14
- Archangel = “chief messenger” –Roth.
- Israel’s Prince Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1
*His work to be assumed by the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Their Impious Ways
Verse 9
• And he shewed me Joshua the high priest
standing before the angel of the LORD, and
Satan standing at his right hand to resist
him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The
LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD
that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is
not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Zech. 3:1-2
Their Impious Ways
Verse 9
• Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but
rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the
Lord. Rom 12:19
• My defence is of God, which saveth the
upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous,
and God is angry with the wicked every day.
Psa. 7:10-11
Their Impious Ways
Verse 10
• They spoke evil of those things they understood
not; namely, the doctrine of the Atonement,
God manifestation and the true liberty of the
Gospel. (The 3 denials of verse 4)
• “Brute Beasts” – They reasoned from the
standpoint of the flesh just like animals. Hence
the term "brutish" is used of such people. See
Psa. 49:10; 92:6; 94:8; Prov. 12:1; Jer. 10:8;
5:17.
The Great Difference Between
Man and the Lower Creation
•
While image, then, hath reference to form or shape, “likeness” hath regard to mental
constitution, or capacity. From the shape of his head, as compared with other
creatures, it is evident that man has a mental capacity which distinguishes him above
them all. Their likeness to him is faint. They can think; but their thoughts are only
sensual. They have no moral sentiments, or high intellectual aspirations; but are
grovelling in all their instincts, which incline only to the earth. In proportion as their
heads assume the human form in the same ratio do they excel each other in
sagacity; and, as in the monkey tribe, display a greater likeness to man. But, let the
case be reversed; let the human head degenerate from the godlike perfection of the
Elohim, the standard of beauty in shape and feature; let it diverge to the image of an
ape’s, and the human animal no longer presents the image and likeness of the
Elohim; but rather, the chattering imbecility of the creature most resembling it in form.
Adam’s mental capacity enabled him to comprehend and receive spiritual ideas,
which moved him to veneration, hope, conscientiousness, the expression of his
views, affections, and so forth. Seth was capable of the like display of intellectual and
moral phenomena; and of an assimilation of character to that of his father. He was
therefore in the likeness as well as in the image of Adam; and, in the same sense,
they were both “after the likeness of the Elohim”.
Dr. Thomas
Their Impious Ways
Three Historic Examples
Verse 11
• Cain—an example of unbelief and repudiation of God's
will.
• Balaam — a prophet speaking the words of Yahweh, yet
descending to seduction and immorality to gain his ends.
• Korah—an example of personified pride, illustrating the
inevitable end of those who refuse to submit to the
authority of Yahweh's Word.
Their Utter Depravity
Six Terrible Metaphors
Verses 12-13
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spots in feasts of charity
Feeding themselves without fear
Clouds without water
Trees without fruit
Raging waves of the sea
Wandering stars
Spots In Feasts of Charity
• “Spots” – “hidden rocks” Diag.
• Holding faith, and a good conscience; which
some having put away concerning faith have
made shipwreck 1 Tim. 1:19
• “When they feast with you” – “They boldly
carouse together” RSV
Feeding Themselves Without Fear
• "Feeding" is literally "shepherding”. Like the greedy,
ignorant "shepherds" of Israel, these false teachers fed
themselves but not the flock; they consumed the well-fed
of the flock (Ezek. 34:1-3) by gross commercialization of
religion, "making merchandise" of the wealthy among the
ecclesia (2 Pet. 2:3).
Clouds Without Water
• “Clouds without water” – impressive, full of promise,
but empty. Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is
like clouds and wind without rain Prov 25:14.
• "Carried about of winds"—Paul uses a similar term in
Eph. 4:14, when he describes certain "winds of
doctrine." These false teachers carefully select their
words and teaching to conform to popular desires, thus
pandering to the flesh.
Trees Without Fruit
• The Diaglott renders: "Bare autumn trees,
unfruitful for two seasons, dead, rooted up."
• RSV renders: “Fruitless trees in late autumn”
• How different to the righteous who are destined
to constitute "the wood of life for the healing
of the nations" Rev. 22:2
Raging Waves of the Sea
• Wild, vehement, furious, uncontrollable, destructive. But
the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot
rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no
peace, saith my God, to the wicked Isa 57:20-21
• But to the righteous…Yahweh on high is mightier than
the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty
waves of the sea Psa 93:4
Wandering Stars
• Refers literally to “meteors”, not fixed, useless for light
and guidance, but impressive. Compare these to the
wise…And they that be wise shall shine as the
brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many
to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever Dan
12:3
Enoch’s Testimony
Verses 14-16
• His name means “dedicated” or
“initiated”.
• Typical of those alive at Christ’s return.
• "The Lord cometh with ten thousands
of his saints" en hagiais musiasin autou,
which literally signifies, "in holy myriads
of himself”.
Enoch’s Testimony
Verses 14-16
• "To execute judgment"—See 2 Thess. 1:6-10.
• "Upon all" — The judgments of the Flood involved all:
both the sons of God, or the line of Seth, as well as the
arrogant and blasphemous line of Cain. Christ's
judgment will do likewise. He will judge both the
household and the world at large (Rom. 2:5-16; 2 Thess.
1:5-10), but it is a Divine principle that "judgment must
begin at the household of God"
Enoch’s Testimony
Verses 14-16
• "Murmurers" — The word in Greek gongustes signifies to mutter.
• "Complainers"—The Greek word mempsimoiros is compounded of
memphomai, "to blame," and moira, a fate, or lot, hence, "blamers of
fate," or people who find fault with life as ordered by God.
• "Walking after their own lusts” —This third characteristic links
with the third example: Sodom and Gomorrah (V.7).
• "Speaking great swelling words” —These are people who rule by
words, who say "our lips are our own, who is Lord over us" Psa.
12:2-4.
• "Having men's persons in admiration”"Because of advantage"
— The Diaglott renders: "For the sake of gain." They are prepared to
defer to others if it means that they themselves will benefit.
The Way To Contend — Available
Resources Verses 17-25
• Recognize that apostasy has been foretold Vv.
17-18
• Analyze actions and fruits V. 19
• Draw upon Divine resources Vv. 20-21
• Seek to reclaim where possible Vv. 22-23
• Rest upon the help of Yahweh Vv. 24-25
Recognize That Apostasy Has
Been Foretold Verses 17-18
• Both Peter and Paul had clearly warned of the danger that now
threatened every believer (see 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-9; 4:1-2).
• Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days
scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the
promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all
things continue as they were from the beginning of the
creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word
of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of
the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was,
being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the
earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store,
reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of
ungodly men. 2 Pet. 3: 3-7
Analyze Actions and Fruits
Verse 19
• "These be they who separate themselves" — The
Greek word apodiorize signifies to "set up bounds,"
"establish lines of demarcation,“ "create sects or
cliques."
• "Having not the spirit" —The "spirit" is a term used to
define the power of the Truth believed, so that to be "led
of the Spirit“ is to be led of the Truth (Gal. 5:18)… “But
if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the
law”
Draw Upon Divine Resources
Verses 20-21
• 4 steps or means to successful living in the Truth:
• "Building up yourselves on your most holy faith"
• "Praying in the Holy Spirit“
• "Keep yourselves in the love of God"
• "Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ"
Seek To Reclaim Where Possible
Verses 22-23
• "And of some have compassion, making a difference" RSV
renders: "Convince some who doubt.”
• "And others save with fear"— Jude would have us go about the
work of converting with fear, lest we be adversely affected by the
controversy.
• "Pulling them out of the fire” -Rotherham links with V.22: "Such as
are in doubt be saving, out of the fire snatching them." (Amos 4:11;
see also Zech. 3:2).
• "Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh"—Note the
instructions of the Law in regard to the garments of a leper (Lev.
13:47-52).
Rest Upon the Help of Yahweh
Verses 24-25
No warfare will be victorious without
Yahweh's help, and that is readily
available to all who seek Him. So Jude
concludes by directing his readers to the
great Source of Comfort, Power, and
Victory.
Conclusion
• Our consideration of these short epistles is
concluded, and what shall we say to sum it all
up? We can say this, that the experience of the
Truth reveals much that is fine, and noble, and
good, but intermixed with it there is that which is
evil, and wrong, and sad. There are manifested
many griefs, many errors, but also a continual
experience of the love and mercy of God. Thus
we take both comfort and courage.
Conclusion
• Our duty remains clear: To contend earnestly for
the Faith once for all delivered to the saints; to
preserve in its purity that which is our most
precious possession. Both Peter and Jude have
instructed us not to be carried away with the
absurd outcry against "contention" and the
"fighting spirit". That spirit, properly controlled,
as these brethren have taught us to control it, is
a constructive spirit, and very little constructive
or helpful work has been done by the smooth
speaking and placid contentment school.
Conclusion
• Admittedly, a mere fighting man is useless; he
destroys without creating — and there are such.
But we do not have to be among their number.
We can be creative as we contend; we can show
favour as we fight; we can manifest love as we
labor in the doctrine; and if we do it all under the
guidance of the Spirit-word, we will do it with the
prospect of ultimate victory ever before us. Let
that be our aim, and to God alone, our Savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory and
majesty, dominion and power, both now and for
the ages. Amen!