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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jude 1:8-15

The apostle here exhibits a charge against deceivers who were now seducing the disciples of Christ from the profession and practice of his holy religion. He calls them filthy dreamers, forasmuch as delusion is a dream, and the beginning of, and inlet to, all manner of filthiness. Note, Sin is filthiness; it renders men odious and vile in the sight of the most holy God, and makes them (sooner or later, as penitent or as punished to extremity and without resource) vile in their own eyes, and in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Jude 1:11

1:11 Woe to them because they walk in the way of Cain; they fling themselves into the error of Balaam; they perish in Korah's opposition to God. Jude now goes to Hebrew history for parallels to the wicked men of his own day; and from it he draws the examples of three notorious sinners. (i) First, there is Cain, the murderer of his brother Abel ( Genesis 4:1-15 ). In Hebrew tradition Cain stood for two things. (a) He was the first murderer in the world's history; and, as The Wisdom of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jude 1:11

Woe unto them ,.... This may be considered as a commiseration of their case, or as a denunciation of deserved punishment, or as a prediction of what would befall them. The Arabic version prefaces these words with an address to the saints, "O my beloved": that what was about to be said might be attended to, as a caution and instruction to them, For they have gone in the way of Cain ; which was a way of envy, for Cain envied the acceptance of his brother's gift, and that notice which the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jude 1:11

They have gone in the way of Cain - They are haters of their brethren, and they that are such are murderers; and by their false doctrine they corrupt and destroy the souls of the people. The error of Balaam - For the sake of gain they corrupt the word of God and refine away its meaning, and let it down so as to suit the passions of the profligate. This was literally true of the Nicolaitans, who taught most impure doctrines, and followed the most lascivious practices. Gainsaying of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jude 1:11

Verse 11 11.Woe unto them. It is a wonder that he inveighs against them so severely, when he had just said that it was not permitted to an angel to bring a railing accusation against Satan. But it was not his purpose to lay down a general rule. He only shewed briefly, by the example of Michael, how intolerable was their madness when they insolently reproached what God honored. It was certainly lawful for Michael to fulminate against Satan his final curse; and we see how vehemently the prophets... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jude 1:1-25

The Letter. I. INTRODUCTION . 1 . Address. 2 . Salutation. "Mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied." The first word of salutation points to their being regarded under troublous conditions. The second word of salutation points to their enjoyment of the Divine protection. The third word of salutation points to their being (generally) delighted in by God. This Divine blessing is already realized: let it be realized a hundredfold. II. THE LETTER . 1 . Purpose.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jude 1:5-16

Here are reasons for resisting evil men drawn from examples of the Divine anger against others. As a scribe well-instructed, Jude brings from the treasures of Old Testament truth suitable illustrations to inspire believers with becoming earnestness in the work of defending the purity of the Church, and the completeness of Christian doctrine. They are reminded that no special relation to Jehovah—like that which subsisted between Israel and their Redeemer from the slavery of Egypt—will avail... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jude 1:8-11

The mutual dependence of belief and life. "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh," etc. Religion is the strength and security of morality. Morality is the outcome and flower of religion. There must be some relation, therefore, between the truth of the religious belief and the purity and elevation of the moral life. A doctrine of God and things Divine which becomes mistaken, imperfect, or corrupt, cannot but affect the conduct which a man allows himself. A life of license is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jude 1:11

As in 2 Peter 2:15 , the darkest passages in the Old Testament history are again appealed to. While Peter, however, refers only to a single instance, Jude introduces three, and prefaces the whole by a Woe! such as the Gospels repeatedly attribute to Christ himself. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain; rather, they went in the way of Cain. The phrase is the familiar one for a habitual course of conduct ( Psalms 1:1 ; Acts 9:31 ; Acts 14:16 , etc.). But what is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jude 1:11

Three examples of similar ungodliness. Another triplet, answering to the triplet of Sodom, the evil angels, the unbelieving Israelites. In both triplets there was an outrage against nature, a contempt for Divine sovereignty, a revolt against dignities. I. A DENUNCIATION OF JUDGMENT . "Woe unto them!" 1 . Wickedness has its end in woes. The end of it is "death." 2 . The most fearful woes are those which are spiritual in their nature. No outward calamity is so terrible... read more

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