Jude 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. These two are contrary, "flesh and Spirit" (Galatians 5:17), and they that cherish the one do necessarily banish the other, and as they enlarge the one they straiten the other. The Spirit is a free spirit, and sensual persons are very slaves; the Spirit is a pure spirit, and they are unclean; the Spirit is active, and they are of a dull and stupid nature; the Spirit worketh intellectual and chaste delights, and they are altogether for base pleasures: such a perfect contrariety is there between them. 1. Sensual men have little of the enlightening of the Spirit; their palate is better than their understanding(Ephesians 5:18). In marshy countries we do not expect a clear air; so sensual persons have seldom any clear thoughts of God: men given to pleasures can taste meats and drinks, but not doctrines. 2. Sensual men have little of the quickenings and efficacy of the Spirit; the more they dissolve and melt away their precious hours and spirits in pleasures, the more do they grow sapless, dead, and careless, and lose all tenderness of conscience and liveliness of affection; they quench the vigour of nature, much more do they quench the Spirit (Ephesians 4:19). 3. They have little of the comforts of the Spirit. The comforts of the Spirit arise from meditating on the works of God (Psalm 104:34), or tasting His love (1 Peter 2:3), or contemplating our great hopes (2 Corinthians 4:18). Now carnal men can relish none of this; they cannot exercise love, or faith, or hope, that they may delight themselves in God, and have some lively tastes of eternal life. When the soul lieth under the dominion of carnal pleasures, it is incapable of thinking upon God and His works, or relishing inward consolation; love is preoccupied. (T. Manton.) Parallel Verses KJV: These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.WEB: These are they who cause divisions, and are sensual, not having the Spirit. |
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