THE ARGUMENT Some question there hath been concerning the penman of this Epistle, and some have thought that Jude the apostle was not the man, whoever were; 1. Because he doth not give himself the title of apostle: but that is objected against James too, and hath been already answered. 2.

Jude; called also Lebbaeus, and Thaddaeus, Matt. 10:3. The servant of Jesus Christ; not only in the general notion, as a believer, but in a more special, as an apostle. Priests and prophets in the Old Testament are peculiarly called God’s servants, Ps.

Mercy unto you; which is the fountain of reconciliation, and all the grace vouchsafed you: see 1 Tim. 1:2, 2 Tim. 1:2, Titus 1:4. Love; either he means God’s love to them, or their love to God and each other.

When I gave all diligence to write unto you: the apostle here declares the first cause of his writing to them, viz. his own inclination and readiness, according to the duty of his place, (as an apostle), so to do: q. d.

Who were before of old ordained; Greek, forewritten, i.e. of whom it was formerly written, or foretold, viz. by Christ and his apostles; or rather, it is to be understood according to our translation, before ordained, viz.

Though ye once: this may be joined either with the verb following, knew, according to our translation, and the sense is, though ye knew this certainly, as the word once is taken, Ps.

Kept not their first estate; in which they were created, their original excellency, truth, holiness, purity, John 8:44, as well as dignity. But left their own habitation; viz. a heavenly one, from whence, though they were righteously thrust out by God, 2 Pet.

The cities about them; Admah and Zeboim, Jer. 49:18, Hos. 11:8. In like manner, as Sodom, and Gomorrah did, likeness of sin inferring likeness of punishment.

Likewise also; notwithstanding so many judgments of God upon others, which should have kept them from the like sins. These filthy dreamers: either this may be taken properly, and joined to the next clause, defile the flesh; and then it may note the impurity of these wretches, who dreamed of what…

Michael the archangel: either this is understood of Christ the Prince of angels, who is often in Scripture called an Angel, or of a created angel; and that either: 1. One of the archangels: Dan.

But these speak evil of those things which they know not; the same as 2 Pet. 2:12; unless this be more generally to be understood of all those spiritual things whereof they were ignorant. But what they know naturally; without reason or judgment.

Woe unto them! This is either a lamenting the misery that was to come upon them, or a foretelling it come, not a wishing that it might: see Matt. 11:21, 1 Cor. 9:16. For they have gone in the way of Cain; followed his manners, and fallen under his punishment.

These are spots: see 2 Pet. 2:13. In your feasts of charity; feasts used among the primitive Christians, to show their unity among themselves, and promote and maintain mutual charity, and for relief of the poor among them.

Raging waves of the sea; not only inconstant as water, but unquiet, turbulent, restless, that cannot cease from sin. Foaming out their own shame; that wickedness whereof they should be ashamed; like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt, Isa. 57:20.

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam; either to distinguish him from Enoch the son of Cain, or to show the antiquity of the prophecy. Prophesied; he doth not say wrote, and therefore from hence it cannot be proved that there was any such book as Enoch’s prophecies, received by the Jews as…

To execute judgment upon all; either upon all the wicked in general, who afterwards may seem to be distinguished into different sorts, or else the Greek preposition κατα is put for περι, and the word all is to be understood of all universally, good and bad; and the words may be read, to execute…

Murmurers, complainers; either these two words signify the same thing; or murmurers may be meant with relation to God’s decrees, laws, providences, and his ordinations in the church or state, 1 Cor. 10:10; and complainers, with respect to their own condition, with which they were discontented.

Especially Paul and Peter: see Acts 20:29, 2 Pet. 3:2, besides the places in the margin. From this passage it appears that this Epistle was written late, and, likely, after the other apostles, except John, were dead.

Told you; whether in their preaching or writing. Ungodly lusts; Greek, lusts of ungodliness; a Hebraism; the vilest lusts.

These be they who separate themselves; viz. from the true doctrine and church of Christ, as being in love with their carnal liberties, and loth to come under the yoke of Christ’s discipline. Sensual; or carnal, or animal, 1 Cor.

Building up yourselves; he compares them to a house, which is to be built up, whereof faith is the foundation: the same metaphor is used, 1 Cor. 4:9, Eph. 2:20–22, 1 Pet. 2:5.

Keep yourselves in the love of God; i.e. in love to God, or that love whereby ye love God; this implies love to each other, as the cause doth the effect. Looking for; viz. by hope: and so in these two verses we have the three cardinal graces, faith, hope, and charity.

And of some have compassion; use them gently, mildly reproving and admonishing them, that thereby ye may gain them. Making a difference: he makes two sorts of offenders, or misled brethren, who might be restored; and that they might, they should be dealt with in different ways, and suitably to…

And others; those that are further gone, not so easily reducible, and in great danger. Save; i.e. labour to save them, as instruments under God. With fear; by more severe courses, sharper reprehensions, setting before them God’s judgments against obstinate sinners, 1 Cor. 5:5.

Able to keep you from falling; from stumbling in your spiritual course, and so able to make you persevere to the end. Before the presence of his glory; or, his glorious presence, i.e. before himself, Eph. 5:27.

To the only wise; only wise infinitely, and of himself. God our Saviour; either God, who is sometimes called by this title, 1 Tim. 2:3, Titus 1:3, Titus 3:4; or rather Christ. Be glory: see 1 Pet. 4:11, 1 Pet. 5:11. And majesty; or, magnificence, Heb. 1:3, Heb.