Judas 1
Thomas Constable · Citado em PreceptAustin
Judas 1:1-13
Constable adds "This unique compound verb pictures a person taking his or her stand on top of something an adversary desires to take away, and fighting to defend and retain it." Hiebert - “To ‘contend earnestly for’ (epagonizesthai) is an expressive compound infinitive which appears only here in the New Testament. The simple form of the verb (agonizomai), which appears as ‘agonize’ in its English form, was commonly used in connection with the Greek stadium to denote a strenuous struggle to overcome an opponent, as in a wrestling match. It was also used more generally of any conflict, contest, debate, or lawsuit. Involved is the thought of the expenditure of all one’s energy in order to prevail.” (BORROW Second Peter and Jude An Expositional Commentary - page 218)
Judas 1:1-13
Constable - Like clouds the false teachers attracted attention to themselves and promised refreshment, but they proved to be all show and no substance (Jude) Hiebert - Kelly observes, “The traveller in Syria and Jordan, Lebanon and Israel is often exasperated by heavy clouds which fail to dissolve in rain and only augment the excessive heat.” The picture is the opposite of that given by Jesus in Luke 12:54. Jude’s figure characterizes these individuals as “men of promise but no performance.” They appear on the scene with their eloquent promises of refreshment and enrichment for those who will follow them, but they produce nothing that contributes to the spiritual nurture and establishment of believers. Like “waterless clouds” (nephelai anudroi), they proved themselves to be spiritually barren, offering nothing that nurtured the soul. The figure depicts their ostentatious and deceptive character; they arouse great expectations but leave behind no fructifying influences. (BORROW Second Peter and Jude An Expositional Commentary)
Judas 1:1-13
Constable - Waves cast up bits of filth and debris on the shore with their foam and flotsam (wreckage, refuse). Similarly the false teachers spread evidence of their uncontrolled immorality and impurity wherever they went (cf. Isaiah 57:20). (Jude - Expository Notes) WANDERING STARS IN BLACK DARKNESS Wandering stars = Compare 2Peter 2:17+. Possibly referring to comets, which shine a while and then pass into darkness. "They belong not to the system: they stray at random and without law, and must at last be severed from the lights which rule while they are ruled" (Lumby). Wandering (4107)(planetes from planao = lead astray; gives us our English "planet") describes one who wanders about. Planetes was used "mostly of the planets, which appeared to ‘wander’ across the skies among the fixed stars.'' (BDAG)
Judas 1:1-13
Constable - Some "stars" move about in the sky differently from the other stars. We now recognize these as planets and distinguish them from stars. Similarly the false teachers behaved out of harmony with the other luminaries. The Greek word planetes, which transliterated means "planet," really means wanderer. Long ago stargazers observed that these wanderers across the sky were different from the fixed stars. Likewise the false teachers had gone off course and had led people astray. (Jude - Expository Notes) NET NOTE - The imagery of a star seems to fit the nautical theme that Jude is developing. Stars were of course the guides to sailors at night, just as teachers are responsible to lead the flock through a benighted world. But false teachers, as wayward stars, are not fixed and hence offer unreliable, even disastrous guidance. They are thus both the dangerous reefs on which the ships could be destroyed and the false guides, leading them into these rocks. There is a special irony that these lights will be snuffed out, reserved for the darkest depths of eternal darkness. BLACK DARKNESS For whom the black darkness has been reserved forever ("utter darkness of darkness for eternity") - Even without knowing the Greek meanings, this picture is frighteningly and forever bleak! Henry
Judas 1:14-19
Constable - The "last time" refers to the end of the historical period that encompasses the church age and the Tribulation. After this "last time" God will rule directly over humankind, first during the Millennium and then in the new heavens and new earth (cf. 1Timothy 4:1; 2Timothy 3:1; et al.). It is the last time in relation to Jesus Christ's return to reign on earth. (Jude - Expository Notes) There will be mockers - A prophecy that is being fulfilled even in our day (2014)! Mockers have to have something to mock so the implication is that these men are not totally ignorant of what the Bible says (assuming they mock God's promises and God's people who hold to those promises, especially of Christ's return).
Judas 1:14-19
Constable - The object of the "mockers" mocking seems to be the revealed will of God (cf. Psalms 35:16; Proverbs 14:6; Proverbs 19:25; et al.). (Jude - Expository Notes) Following (walking) after their own ungodly lusts (cf Jude 1:16 - "following after their own lusts") - This passage brings to mind a slave in chains being led about by a harsh master! Jude had alluded to their ungodly lusts as the driving force of their lives in Jude 1:4, 8, 10, 15, 16, 18-19. By following after their own ungodly lusts, the mockers are making a choice to deliberately reject God's warning word of judgment and opt for a godless lifestyle of sin (one things of the flagrant attack of God's Word regarding marriage of one man and one woman, not to mention the open acceptance of abortion, oft times these babies being the fruit of their ungodly lusts. Remember, God is not mocked and whatever evil seeds individuals and nations sow, they will eventually reap, later and greater! cf Gal 6:7-8-note, Pr 14:34-note)