Judas 1
Adam Clarke · Citado em PreceptAustin
Judas 1:1-13
Clarke - Let it be observed that the word archangel is never found in the plural number in the sacred writings. There can be properly only one archangel, one chief or head of all the angelic host. Nor is the word devil, as applied to the great enemy of mankind, ever found in the plural; there can be but one monarch of all fallen spirits. Archangel (743) (archaggelos from árchon = chief + ággelos = angel, envoy, messenger, one who is sent) refers to the first or highest angel, the leader of the angels and is a term applied only to Michael. Though not named, Michael may be the archangel in 1Th 4:16+. Disputed (1252) (diakrino from diá = separation, root meaning = "two" + kríno = distinguish, decide, judge) literally means to judge between and in this context means to contend or strive with another. Hiebert - The present tense participle “contending” (disputed - diakrino) points to a continuing altercation between these two adversaries which expressed itself in a battle of words in a judicial contest. (BORROW Second Peter and Jude An Expositional Commentary - page 248) The devil - This is one of 5 names John ascribes to Satan (including "who deceives" ~ Deceiver) in Rev 12:9+, and speaks especially of his activity as a slanderer. In Rev 12:10+ John says he is "the accuser (kategoros from katá = against + agora = place of public speaking) of our brethren" who "accuses them before" God "day and night" (Accuses = kategoreo = to charge with an offense: accuse especially in a legal setting like a public tribunal, in contrast to the idea of slander in diabolos). Devil (1228)(diabolos from diá = through, between + ballo = to cast, throw) means a false accuser, slanderer (one who utters false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another’s reputation), backbiting (malicious comment about one not present), one given to malicious gossip or a calumniator (one who utters maliciously false statements, charges, or imputations about, this term imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions). Notice how the root words (diá = through + bállō = throw) picture what the devil does. He constantly throws between seeking to divide whether it be between a husband and wife, a child and parent, a church, etc. Resist his divisive, condemnatory accusations firm in your faith (1Pe 5:9+, James 4:7+). Argued (1256)(dialegomai from diá = separation + légo = speak) means to engage in an interchange of speech in order to convince (by reasoning). In Mk 9:34 it conveys the sense of a discussion which was also a dispute, much like here in Jude 1:9. Hiebert - “He argued” (dielegeto) further underlines the verbal character of the conflict. The preposition dia (“between”) in both compounds (diakrino, dialegomai) makes vivid the distinct positions of the two contestants. (BORROW Second Peter and Jude An Expositional Commentary - page 248) Did not dare pronounce against him - The powerful archangel Michael refrained from doing the very thing the "daring" apostates were doing. Railing (988) (blasphemia from blapto = hinder, injure, hurt + pheme = report, rumor, fame from phemí = to speak) refers to verbal abuse against someone and denotes the very worst type of slander. Judgment (2920)(krisis from krino = to judge) means to decide a question of legal right or wrong, thus determine the innocence or guilt of the accused. Krisis denotes the expression of a verdict. Michael refused to pass sentence on the Devil on his own authority. But said, "The Lord rebuke you!" - The point is that if a mighty archangel had respect for celestial powers, how much more should these false teachers? Notice again the but, a strategically placed term of contrast which marks the clear contrast between what Michael did and did not do. Peter has a similar description… and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. (2Pet 2:10-11+) Rebuke (2008)(epitimao) means literally to put honor upon and then to mete out due measure and then to find fault with, to censure severely, to rebuke, to express strong disapproval of, or to denounce (cp the incredible example in Mt 16:22). The words the LORD rebuke you occur in Zechariah 3 where the angel of the Lord replies to the charges of Satan. The LORD (Angel of the LORD = a pre-incarnate Christophany - see Zech 3:1) said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” (Zech 3:2) :
Judas 1:20
Clarke - The prayer that is not sent up through the influence of the Holy Ghost is never likely to reach heaven. (Jude Commentary) Rob
Judas 1:21
Clarke - Keep yourselves in the love of God - By building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and praying in the Holy Ghost; for without this we shall soon lose the love of God. (Jude Commentary) To reiterate, note that in Jude 1:20-21 there are three verbal participles (building, praying, waiting) and most commentators feel these modify the command to keep. In other words, Jude gives us three ways we are to keep ourselves in the love of God - (1) by building ourselves up on our most holy faith (growing in sound doctrine), (2) by praying in the Holy Spirit (persevering in prayer - cf Eph 6:18-note) and (3) by waiting expectantly for the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf 2Ti 4:8-note). In addition, many commentators interpret these three participles as having the force of an imperative verb (a command). In either case (commands or exhortations) in view of the fact that all three verbs are in the present (continuous) tense calls for all three attitudes/actions to be our lifestyle, our habitual practice. Now think about this truth for a moment. Is there any way that believers can continually live out these three verbs? Such a lifestyle is clearly not possible in our power. This means we must continually surrender to the Spirit, allowing Him to fill and control and empower us to accomplish supernaturally what we simply cannot accomplish naturally! Indeed, in giving these exhortations/commands, Jude is calling for his readers to be a Spirit Filled Church! That first century pattern for the church has not changed despite the passage of over 2000 years! This begs a vital question -- Is your church a Spirit filled church? What would have to change for it to become a Spirit filled church? See the discussion of what a Spirit Filled Church looks like in Scripture. Wiersbe on keep yourselves - He did not write, “Keep yourselves saved!” because he had already assured them that they were “preserved in Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1-note). (Be Alert 2 Peter, 2 & 3 John, Jude- Beware of the Religious Impostors) Jamieson - Keep yourselves — not in your own strength, but “in the love of God,” that is, God‘s love to you and all His believing children, the only guarantee for their being kept safe. Man‘s need of watching is implied; at the same time he cannot keep himself, unless God in His love keep him. (Jude - Commentary Critical and Explanatory) William MacDonald gives an illustration to help us understand what it means to keep ourselves in the love of God - The love of God can be compared to sunshine. The sun is always shining. But when something comes between us and the sun, we are no longer in the sunshine. That's the way it is with the love of God. It is always beaming down upon us. But if sin comes between us and the Lord, then we are no longer enjoying His love in practice. We can keep ourselves in the love first of all by lives of holiness and godliness (Ed - by obedience). And if sin should come between, then we should confess and forsake that sin immediately (repent) (Ed - confess - 1Jn 1:9-note and forsake it - Pr 28:13-note). The secret (of keeping one's self in the love of God) is to let nothing come between us and God. Comment: When we sin we are "shaded" as it were from God's love in the sense that there is a loss of a sense of intimacy or communion with Him. However, there is NEVER a schism in our UNION with Him. We can never be separated from the Father's love (Ro 8:39-note). Even in Jude 1:1 Jude says we are beloved in the Father where beloved is in the perfect which conveys the truth that we are permanently the objects of His infinite love! Wuest has this comment on beloved in Jude 1:1 The participle is in the perfect tense, speaking of a past complete act having present, and in a context like this, permanent results. The distinctive word for "love" here is the word for God's self-sacrificial love which was shown at Calvary. This love here is the outgoing of God's love for the saints in which He gives of Himself for their good. He will do anything within His good will for the saints. He went all the way to Calvary for them when they were unlovely and naturally unlovable. He will do as much and more for His saints who in Christ are looked upon by God the Father with all the love with which He loves His Son. The perfect tense speaks here of the fact that the saints are the permanent objects of God's love. Jude is therefore writing to those who have been loved by God the Father with the present result that they are in a state of being the objects of His permanent love, and that love extends not merely through the brief span of this life, but throughout eternity (Hallelujah!). Listen to the full version of Nothing between (vocal by Samanthia Cassidy)... Nothing between my soul and my Savior, Naught of this world's delusive dream, Nothing preventing the least of His favor, Keep the way clean, let nothing between. --Charles Albert Tindley Jude's command is similar to the one Jesus gave His disciples... Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide (aorist imperative) in My love. If you keep (tereo) My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. (John 15:9-10) Comment: Jesus issues a command to abide, even as Jude issues a command to keep themselves in the love of God. As discussed above, God's commandments always include His enablements, and specifically call for us to surrender to the Spirit and allow Him to empower us to carry out the command. We still have to make the volitional choice (choice of our will) to obey, but it is God Who is in us giving us the desire to obey and the power to obey (Php 2:13-note). Note that Jesus begins Jn 15:9 with the phrase "just as" which is a term of comparison. What He is saying is that He is giving them an example to follow, and He goes on to equate abiding with obeying. If we obey God (enabled by the Spirit, not out of some legalistic obligation), we are demonstrating that we are abiding in His love. As Matthew
Judas 1:25
Clarke - Savior - Who has by his blood washed us from our sins, and made us kings and priests unto God the Father. Be glory - Be ascribed all light, excellence, and splendor. Majesty - All power, authority, and pre-eminence. Dominion - All rule and government in the world and in the Church, in earth and in heaven. And authority - All energy and operation to every thing that is wise, great, good, holy, and excellent. Both now - In the present state of life and things. And ever - To the end of all states, places, dispensations, and worlds; and to a state which knows no termination, being that Eternity in which this glory, majesty, dominion, and power ineffably and incomprehensibly dwell. Amen - So let it be, so ought it to be, and so it shall be. (Jude Commentary) END OF CONSTRUCTION - Years ago, Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, saw a sign by the road: “End of Construction—Thank you for your patience.” Smiling, she remarked that she wanted those words on her gravestone. After her death in June 2007, her desire was carried out. Her grave marker bears the Chinese character for righteousness (Mrs. Graham was born in China), followed by the words that made her smile. Every follower of Christ can share the confidence that God’s faithfulness will carry us through this period of spiritual building on earth. We echo Jude’s words of praise: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever” (Jude 1:24-25). Today, we’re in the construction zone. Jude’s letter challenges us to grow in faith, pray in the Spirit, and remain surrounded by God’s love (Jude 1:20-21). But this construction is not a self-centered process. We are to show mercy to others and rescue those in danger of spiritual ruin (Jude 1:22-23). One day our construction will be complete, a prospect that’s worth so much more than a smile. - David C. McCasland When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day, This my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way. —Crosby To build a godly life, let God be the architect and His Word the blueprint. Jude 1:24 Commentary