For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed--ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. For certain men have crept in unnoticedThe phrase "crept in unnoticed" suggests a stealthy, secretive infiltration into the Christian community. The Greek word used here, "pareisduno," implies slipping in stealthily or settling in alongside. Historically, this reflects the early church's challenges with false teachers who subtly introduced heretical ideas. The warning is timeless, urging vigilance against those who might distort the faith from within. ungodly ones
The term "ungodly" is translated from the Greek "asebeis," which denotes a lack of reverence or piety towards God. In the context of Jude, these individuals are not merely irreligious but actively opposed to God's ways. This highlights the moral and spiritual decay that can occur when individuals reject divine authority, a theme consistent throughout Scripture. who were designated long ago for condemnation
This phrase suggests a predetermined outcome for those who oppose God, echoing themes of divine justice and foreknowledge. The Greek word "progegrammenoi" implies something written beforehand, indicating that their fate was known to God. This reflects the biblical principle that God, in His omniscience, is aware of all actions and their consequences, reinforcing the certainty of divine judgment. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality
Here, "turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality" warns against abusing God's grace. The Greek word "metatithentes" means to change or pervert. This misuse of grace as an excuse for sinful behavior is a perversion of the gospel message. Historically, this reflects early heresies like antinomianism, which rejected moral law, emphasizing the need for a balanced understanding of grace and obedience. and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ
The denial of "our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" is a direct affront to the core of Christian faith. The Greek "despotes" (Master) and "kurios" (Lord) emphasize Jesus' authority and divinity. This denial could be doctrinal, moral, or both, reflecting early challenges to Christ's nature and work. It serves as a call to uphold the truth of Christ's lordship against all false teachings. Persons / Places / Events 1. JudeThe author of the epistle, traditionally understood to be Jude, the brother of James and half-brother of Jesus. He writes to warn believers about false teachers. 2. Ungodly MenIndividuals who have infiltrated the Christian community, promoting false teachings and immoral behavior. 3. The Early ChurchThe community of believers to whom Jude is writing, facing challenges from within due to false teachings. 4. Jesus ChristReferred to as the "only Master and Lord," emphasizing His authority and divinity, which the false teachers deny. 5. CondemnationThe judgment that awaits those who distort the gospel and lead others astray, as mentioned in Jude's warning. Teaching Points Vigilance Against False TeachingsBelievers must be alert and discerning to recognize and reject false teachings that distort the gospel. Understanding True GraceGrace is not a license for sin but a call to holiness. Christians should live in a way that honors the grace they have received. Affirming Christ's LordshipAcknowledge and submit to Jesus Christ as the only Master and Lord, rejecting any teaching that denies His authority. The Consequences of ApostasyRecognize the serious consequences of turning away from the truth and leading others astray, as highlighted by the condemnation awaiting false teachers. Community AccountabilityEncourage accountability within the Christian community to maintain doctrinal purity and moral integrity. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we identify "ungodly men" who might creep into our church communities today, and what steps can we take to protect against their influence? 2. In what ways might we be tempted to turn the grace of God into a license for immorality in our own lives? 3. How does affirming Jesus Christ as our only Master and Lord impact our daily decisions and interactions with others? 4. What are some practical ways we can encourage and maintain accountability within our church community to uphold sound doctrine? 5. How do the warnings in Jude 1:4 and similar passages in the New Testament help us understand the importance of doctrinal purity and moral integrity in the Christian life? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Peter 2:1-3This passage warns of false prophets and teachers who will introduce destructive heresies, similar to Jude's warning. Galatians 5:13Paul cautions against using freedom in Christ as an opportunity for the flesh, paralleling Jude's concern about turning grace into a license for immorality. Matthew 7:15-20Jesus warns about false prophets, describing them as wolves in sheep's clothing, which aligns with Jude's description of men who have crept in unnoticed. People Adam, Balaam, Cain, Core, Enoch, James, Judas, Jude, Korah, MichaelPlaces Egypt, Ephesus, Gomorrah, SodomTopics FALSE, Ago, Ancient, Beforehand, Change, Christ, Condemnation, Crept, Deny, Denying, Designated, Disown, Dissoluteness, Evil, Excuse, Fate, Fear, Gained, Godless, Got, Grace, Holy, Immorality, Impious, Judgment, Lasciviousness, License, Licentiousness, Marked, Master, Ordained, Persons, Pervert, Perverting, Pre-destined, Privily, Secretly, Sentence, Slipped, Sovereign, Spoken, Turn, Turning, Unawares, Unclean, Ungodly, Unnoticed, Unobserved, Writings, WrittenDictionary of Bible Themes Jude 1:4 5441 philosophy
5941 secrecy
5942 security
5978 warning
6189 immorality, examples
6243 adultery, spiritual
7936 love feast
8339 self-control
8703 antinomianism
8706 apostasy, warnings
8710 atheism
8712 denial of Christ
8750 false teachings
8787 opposition, to God Jude 1:3-4 8237 doctrine, false
8484 spiritual warfare, enemies Jude 1:3-23 6169 godlessness Jude 1:4-19 5714 men Library The Holy Spirit and the one Church
Our text suggests to us three things: first, an inquiry--Have we the Spirit? secondly, a caution--if we have not the spirit we are sensual; thirdly, a suspicion--there are many persons that separate themselves. Our suspicion concerning them is, that notwithstanding their extra-superfine profession, they are sensual, not having the Spirit; for our text says, "These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit." I. First, then, our text suggests AN INQUIRY--Have we the Spirit? This …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858Persevering Grace. Jude 1:24,25.
Persevering grace. Jude 1:24,25. To God the only wise, Our Savior and our King, Let all the saints below the skies Their humble praises bring. 'Tis his almighty love, His counsel, and' his care, Preserves us safe from sin and death, And every hurtful snare. He will present our souls, Unblemished and complete, Before the glory of his face, With joys divinely great. Then all the chosen seed Shall meet around the throne, Shall bless the conduct of his grace, And make his wonders known. To our Redeemer, …
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts The Manifestation of the Church with Christ.
The last time the world saw the Lord Jesus He was alone--all alone in death. But when He returns to this earth He will not be alone. His saints will accompany Him. He is the "Firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29), and when He appears again they will be with Him. "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again, bringing His sheaves with Him" (Ps. 126:6). Yes, that blessed One who humbled Himself to become the Sower shall return with "His sheaves"--"Behold, …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return The Twofold Bearing of this Fact.
We come now to a point concerning which it behooves believers, particularly young believers and beginners in the study of prophecy, to be quite clear upon. Like the other two great Facts which we have reviewed--the First Advent of our Lord to this earth and His going away, and the presence now of the Holy Spirit upon this earth--this third great fact of the Redeemer's Return also has a double bearing, a bearing upon the Church and a bearing upon the world. The Second Coming of Christ will occur in …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return The Redeemer's Return is Necessitated by the Present Exaltation of Satan.
One of the greatest mysteries in all God's creation is the Devil. For any reliable information concerning him we are shut up to the Holy Scriptures. It is in God's Word alone that we can learn anything about his origin, his personality, his fall, his sphere of operations, and his approaching doom. One thing which is there taught us about the great Adversary of God and man, and which observation and experience fully confirms, is, that he is a being possessing mighty power. It would appear, from a …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return Salvation.
Salvation is the song that was to be sung by the redeemed in that day. "Behold now is the day." Our salvation has come. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men." Salvation means deliverance. A prophecy concerning the Christ--our salvation--says: "He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." Isa. 61:1. Christ our Savior came to deliver us from the prison-house of sin. In the …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day Saved by Grace;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE GRACE OF GOD: SHOWING-- I. WHAT IT IS TO BE SAVED. II. WHAT IT IS TO BE SAVED BY GRACE. III. WHO THEY AEE THAT ABE SAVED BY GRACE. IV. HOW IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE SAVED BY GRACE. V. WHAT SHOULD BE THE REASON THAT GOD SHOULD CHOOSE TO SAVE SINNERS BY GRACE RATHER THAN BY ANY OTHER MEANS. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS admirable Treatise upon the most important of all subjects, that of the soul's salvation, was first published in a pocket volume, in the year 1675. This has …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The Character of Its Teachings Evidences the Divine Authorship of the Bible
Take its teachings about God Himself. What does the Bible teach us about God? It declares that He is Eternal: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou are God" (Ps. 90:2). It reveals the fact that He is Infinite: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee" (I Kings 8:27). Vast as we know the universe to be, it has its bounds; but we must go beyond …
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible Links Jude 1:4 NIVJude 1:4 NLTJude 1:4 ESVJude 1:4 NASBJude 1:4 KJV
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