Judas 1

Judas 1:14-19

Pentecost - Having identified the apostates in expressive language, Jude gave the believers guidelines on how to avoid the apostates’ errors. It is not enough to recognize false teachers; it is also necessary to avoid falling into their errors. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Hiebert - With these verses (Jude 1:17-23) Jude turns from burning denunciation of the apostates to provide loving guidance and encouragement to the faithful amid apostasy. Although this section is closely related to the preceding denunciation, its tenor is entirely different. In the preceding section the aim was to expose and condemn the evil men intruding into the churches; here the aim is to provide faithful believers with a strategy to combat the apostates effectively. Jude now presents directives toward that end. (Second Peter-Jude: An Expositional Commentary) NET NOTE - This verse parallels 2Pet 3:2 both conceptually and in much of the verbiage. There is one important difference, however: In 2 Pet 3:2 the prophets and apostles speak; here, just the apostles speak. This makes good sense if Jude is using 2Peter as his main source and is urging his readers to go back to the authoritative writings, both OT and now especially NT. (Ed comment: Notice that Jude 1:18 has a quote that is very similar to 2Peter 3:3, suggesting this apostolic letter may have been the source. This is not an unreasonable assertion in view of the fact that Jude was penned about 70-80AD and Second Peter about 66BC, which meant Jude theoretically had access to the Apostle's words spoken beforehand.) Beloved (27)(agapetos) describes those who are dear to God, very much loved by Him and in a very special relationship with Him (Jude 1:3, Jude 1:20). Agapetos describes the love of another, this love being called out of the "giver's" heart by preciousness of the recipient of the love (the "beloved'). Agapetos is used only of Christians as united with God or with each other in love. In secular Greek agapetos is used mostly of a child, especially an only child to whom all the love of his parents is given (cf use by the Father describing His only Son and Abraham describing his "only son" in Ge 22:2). "Beloved does not refer to Jude’s love for those to whom he is writing, but to the fact that the saints are beloved ones of God." (Wuest) Hiebert - “Beloved” assures the readers that, in spite of his fierce denunciation of the apostates, he maintains a deep, personal affection for them. His strong denunciation of the intruders has been prompted by his concern for their spiritual welfare. (Second Peter-Jude: An Expositional Commentary) Ought to remember - In light of the truth about the soul poisoning "snakes in the pond," this is not a suggestion but a necessity, and thus it is a command (aorist imperative). Do this now! Don't delay! It is urgent! You must remember! What are they (and we) to remember? The words spoken beforehand by Jesus' apostles. And beloved, isn't this the problem from the very beginning? When Satan asked Eve "Indeed, has God said..." (Ge 3:1+), her poor memory of what God had said (Ge 2:16-17) led her into disobedience. Without the internalized Word which is Truth (Jn 17:17), the "sword of the Spirit" (Eph 6:17-note) is dull and we are vulnerable to Satan's lies! Note that Jude gives 5 commands (imperatives) in Jude 1:17-23, which serve to challenge his readers to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 1:3). In the first 16 verses, Jude issued no imperatives, choosing instead to focus their attention on the problem. These verbal imperatives are: (1) Remember (Jude 1:17), (2) Keep (Jude 1:21), (3) Have mercy (Jude 1:22), (4) Save (Jude 1:23), and (5) Have mercy (Jude 1:23). Imperatives #1 and #2 are aorist imperative which speaks of urgency and #3-5 are present imperative, which calls for consistency, for this to be their habitual practice, even their "Gospel lifestyle!". Hiebert - Having unfolded the dangers of the situation confronting them, Jude now presents a strategy for the combat. He calls upon them to have an awareness of apostasy as foretold by the apostles (Jude 1:17-19), to foster their own spiritual maturity for security amid apostasy (Jude 1:20-21), and to act savingly toward those who have been contaminated by the apostates (Jude 1:22-23). (Second Peter-Jude: An Expositional Commentary) Peter's Second Epistle dealing with the false teachers several times calls his readers to remember, writing... Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. (I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,(2Pe 1:12-13-note) This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets (this would refer to the OT Scriptures) and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles (of which Peter was one). (2Pe 3:1-2-note) Remember (3403)(mimnesko) means to bring to mind or think of again. It means to keep in mind for attention or consideration. Most of the NT uses convey this sense of recalling information from memory. In Acts 10:31+ (Rev 16:19+) the idea of mimnesko is to think of and call attention to someone or some thing and to make mention of. The dying thief asked Jesus to keep him in mind when He came into His Kingdom (So what did the thief believe? That Jesus would die but would rise again and live to rule. He believed Jesus was the King!). (Lk 23:42+) He was asking Jesus to be concerned about him or to think of him. Earlier Jude had commended the believers that "you know all things once for all" (Jude 1:5+), but now he senses the need for a series of direct commands. One can have knowledge of facts, but "must be able to recall the message of the Gospel so that they can defend themselves against the pernicious attacks of the heretics. They must know that they can effectively oppose their adversaries with the Gospel which has been preached by Christ's apostles." (Kistemaker) Jude is asking the saints to allow back into their mind truths they had heard or been taught and to keep their mind alert and attentive to those truths. THOUGHT - The best "weapon" against lies of the ungodly (such as the lie that it is "okay" to turn the grace of God into licentiousness and to deny that Jesus is our Master [Owner] and Lord - Jude 1:4-note) is the truth of God's Word. Are you daily, even moment by moment, recalling to your mind God's Word in order that His Word of Truth (the Gospel) (Col 1:5-note) might fortify your faith (Ro 10:17-note) and enable you to hold up the shield of faith to extinguish all the fiery missiles of untruth (cf Eph 6:16-note) and to have a "sword" to wield by the Spirit? (Eph 6:17-note) One of the best ways to recall to mind truth is to "eat" or memorize the truth of God's Word (for suggestions regarding what truth to "eat" see Memory Verses by Topic) and to meditate (see this note to help you understand "how" to meditate) on the truth of God's Word. Jesus understood the intake of His Truth to be our great, daily need when He declared "It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD (rhema - same word Jude uses in Jude 1:17) THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”(Mt 4:4+) Are you suffering from "spiritual anorexia" regarding your intake of God's Word? It is as serious spiritually as it is physiologically! Humble yourself and ask the Spirit to give you a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Mt 5:6-note). and then be willing to submit to His leading (Gal 5:16-note, Gal 5:18-note). Mimnesko - 23x in 23v - NAS Usage: recall(1), remember(13), remembered(8), remembrance(1). Matthew 5:23+ "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly. Matthew 27:63 and said, "Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I am to rise again.' Luke 1:54+ "He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, Luke 1:72+ To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, Luke 16:25+ "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. Luke 23:42+ And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" Luke 24:6+ "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, Luke 24:8+ And they remembered His words, John 2:17+ His disciples remembered that it was written, "ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME." John 2:22+ So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken. John 12:16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. Acts 10:31+ and he said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Acts 11:16+ "And I (Peter) remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 2 Timothy 1:4+ longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. Hebrews 2:6+ But one has testified somewhere, saying, "WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU REMEMBER HIM? OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM? Comment: Here remember conveys the idea of to think about again. The amazing truth is God does think about us! Praise Him today that before you awoke this morning, YOU were on His mind! Hebrews 8:12+ "FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE." Hebrews 10:17+ "AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE." Comment: In Heb 8:12 and here the verb remember overlaps somewhat with God's forgiveness. He makes a choice to not recall our sins to His mind when we confess and repented (1Jn 1:9-note; Pr 28:13-note) The Accuser of our souls (kategoreo describes his continual cry against us) does just the opposite -- the devil tries to remind God of our sins and also shoots fiery missiles at us in an attempt to cause us to dwell upon our sins (even though they have been truly confessed!) (cp Rev 12:10-note, Eph 6:16-note) Perhaps you have confessed your sins but are still wrestling with guilt and shame. If so, it might be a fruitful exercise for you to meditate on passages that deal with the completeness of God's forgiveness which includes His "forgetfulness!" = Micah 7:18, 19; Ps 103:12, Isa 38:17 = Hezekiah's declaration should be our declaration after confession and repentance; Isa 43:25, Isa 44:22, Jer 31:34, Jer 50:20, Da 9:24, Heb 8:12, Heb 10:17, Ro 8:1, Was Paul who persecuting Christians able to forget the sin, the guilt, the shame? Read Php 3:13-note, Php 3:14-note - Note the verb Paul chose for "forgetting" is epilanthanomai = the idea is not just forgetting but "completely forgetting." The present tense indicates that because of Christ's full payment (TETELESTAI - IT IS FINISHED! PAID IN FULL!) this is to be the Spirit filled believer's continual duty and delight - not just to forget but to forget completely!) See also Does God really forget our sins? Hebrews 13:3+ Remember (present imperative calling for the readers to continually keep in mind) the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. 2 Peter 3:2+ that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. Jude 1:17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, Revelation 16:19+ The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath. Mimnesko - 181 verses in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - Ge 8:1; Ge 9:15-16; Ge 19:29; 30:22; 40:13-14, 20, 23; 42:9; Ex 2:24; 6:5; 20:8; 32:13; Lev 26:42, 45; Num 11:5; 15:39-30; Deut 5:15; 7:18; 8:2, 18; 9:7, 27; 15:15; 16:3, 12; 24:9, 18, 20, 22; 25:17; 32:7; Josh 1:13; Jdg 8:34; 9:2; 16:28; 1Sa 1:11, 19; 4:18; 25:31; 2 Sam 19:19; 2Kgs 20:3; 2Chr 6:42; 24:22; Neh 1:8; 4:14; 5:19; 6:14; 9:17; 13:14, 22, 29, 31; Esther 2:1; 4:8, 17; 10:3; Job 4:7; 7:7; 10:9; 21:6; 28:18; 36:24; 41:8; Ps 8:4; 9:12; 16:4; 20:3; 22:27; Ps 25:6-7; 42:4,6; 45:17; 71:16; 74:2, 18, 22; Ps 77:3, 5, 11; 78:35, 39, 42; Ps 79:8; 83:4; 87:4; 88:5; 89:47, 50; 98:3; 103:14, 18; 105:5, 8, 42; Ps 106:4, 7, 45; 109:16; 111:5; 115:12; 119:49, 52, 55; 132:1; 136:23; Ps 137:1, 6-7; 143:5; Pr 31:7; Eccl 5:20; 9:15; 11:8; 12:1; Isa 12:4; 17:10; 26:16; 38:3; 43:25-26; 44:21; 46:8-9; 47:7; 48:1; 54:4; 57:11; Isa 62:6; 63:7, 11; 64:5, 7, 9; 65:17; 66:9; Jer 2:2; 11:19; 14:10, 21; 15:15; 18:20; 31:20, 34; 33:8; 44:21; 51:50; Lam 1:7, 9; 2:1; 3:19-20; Jer 5:1; Ezek 3:20; 6:9; 16:22, 43, 60-61, 63; 18:22, 24; 20:43; 21:23; 23:27; 36:31; Dan 5:10; Hos 2:17; 7:2; 8:13; 9:9; Amos 1:9; Jonah 2:7; Mic 6:5; Nah 2:5; Hab 3:2; Zech 10:9; Mal 4:4. Note the first great use in the OT... Genesis 8:1 (cp uses of mimnesko in context of Covenant - Ge 9:15, 16) But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him in the ark; and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water subsided. Comment: Here we see divine remembrance is an assurance of His trustworthiness (cf Ge 6:18). When He gives you His promise, you can believe it, even through the fog, even in the midst of the pain! He remembered His promise to Noah and will remember all His precious and magnificent promises to you dear called, beloved and kept believer (Jude 1:1). Inherent in God's remembering Noah is a foreshadowing of His faithfulness to keep His covenant with us (Ge 9:9, see especially Ge 9:11). As Ryrie says on God's remembering in Ge 8:1, it signifies "Not mere recall, but thinking about with loving concern." AN APOSTOLIC PREDICTION The words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ - To what words does Jude refer? In light of the fact that Jude was one of the last books written (70-89AD), the words would surely include the Gospels, Paul's letters, Peter's letters, etc. Words (rhema) refers to the spoken word, especially a word as uttered by a living voice. Hiebert adds "words as opposed to deeds, implies a message that has been delivered, whether orally or in written form" and the fact that he adds was spoken beforehand identifies the words as distinctly prophetic. Some commentators think that Jude's use of rhema (spoken words) implies that he is referring primarily to what they had heard orally from the apostles and not to what they had written, but other excellent commentators include the written words of the apostles. Why is it so important to remember truth spoken beforehand by the apostles? Because they repeatedly warned of false teachers infiltrating the church and opposing the Gospel. Jesus Himself spoke beforehand, warning "Beware (prosecho in the present imperative = a command to never let one's guard down, implying the church is continually at risk of these apostate snakes "slithering in") of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Mt 7:15-note; cp Mt 24:11, 24; Mk 13:22) The apostle Paul gave many similar warnings (2Cor 11:12-15, Col 2:16-19; 1Th. 2:14-16; 2Th. 2:3-12; 1Ti 4:1-3; 6:20-21; 2Ti 2:17-19; 2Ti 3:1-9; 2Ti 4:1-3; Acts 20:29-30) as did the apostle Peter (2Pe 2:1, etc). While the apostle John also warned about false teachers and false professors (1Jn 4:1; cf. 1Jn 2:18-19; 2Jn 1:7; 3Jn 1:9-11), his epistles were most likely not available to the saints, as they were written about 10 years later.