Jude 1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jude 1

We have here, I. An account of the penman of this epistle, a character of the church, the blessings and privileges of that happy society, Jude 1:1, 2. II. The occasion of writing this epistle, Jude 1:3. III. A character of evil and perverse men, who had already sprung up in that infant state of the church, and would be succeeded by others of the like evil spirit and temper in after-times, Jude 1:4. IV. A caution against hearkening to and following after such, from the severity of God towards... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jude 1

THIS epistle is styled (as are some few others) general or Catholic, because it is not immediately directed to any particular person, family, or church, but to the whole society of Christians of that time, lately converted to the faith of Christ, whether from Judaism or paganism: and it is, and will be, of standing, lasting, and special use in and to the church as long as Christianity, that is, as time, shall last. The general scope of it is much the same with that of the 2 Peter 2:1-22,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jude 1:1-2

Here we have the preface or introduction, in which, I. We have an account of the penman of this epistle, Jude, or Judas, or Judah. He was name-sake to one of his ancestors, the patriarch?son of Jacob, the most eminent though not the first-born of his sons, out of whose loins (lineally, in a most direct succession) the Messiah came. This was a name of worth, eminency, and honour; yet 1. He had a wicked name-sake. There was one Judas (one of the twelve, surnamed Iscariot, from the place of his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jude 1:3-7

We have here, I. The design of the apostle in writing this epistle to the lately converted Jews and Gentiles; namely, to establish them in the Christian faith, and a practice and conversation truly consonant and conformable thereunto, and in an open and bold profession thereof, especially in times of notorious opposition, whether by artful seduction or violent and inhuman persecution. But then we must see to it very carefully that it be really the Christian faith that we believe, profess,... read more

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jude 1:16-25

Here, I. The apostle enlarges further on the character of these evil men and seducers: they are murmurers, complainers, etc., Jude 1:16. Observe, A murmuring complaining temper, indulged and expressed, lays men under a very bad character; such are very weak at least, and for the most part very wicked. They murmur against God and his providence, against men and their conduct; they are angry at every thing that happens, and never pleased with their own state and condition in the world, as not... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Jude 1:1-2

1:1-2 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James, sends this letter to the called who are beloved in God and kept by Jesus Christ. May mercy and peace and love he multiplied to you. Few things tell more about a man than the way in which he speaks of himself; few things are more revealing than the titles by which he wishes to be known. Jude calls himself the servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James. At once this tells us two things about him. (i) Jude was a man... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Jude 1:1-2

Before we leave this opening passage, let us think a little more about this calling of God and try to see something of what it means. (i) Paul speaks about being called to be an apostle ( Romans 1:1 ; 1 Corinthians 1:1 ). In Greek the word is apostolos ( Greek #652 ); it comes from the verb apostellein ( Greek #649 ), to send out, and an apostle is therefore, one who is sent out. That is to say, the Christian is the ambassador of Christ. He is sent out into the world to speak for... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Jude 1:3

1:3 Beloved, when I was in the midst of devoting all my energy to writing to you about the faith which we all share, I felt that I was compelled to write a letter to you to urge you to engage upon the struggle to defend the faith which was once and for all delivered to God's consecrated people. Here we have the occasion of the letter. Jude had been engaged on writing a treatise about the Christian faith; but there had come news that evil and misguided men had been spreading destructive... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Jude 1:4

1:4 For certain men have wormed their way into the Church--long before this they were designated for judgment impious creatures they are--who twist the grace of God into a justification of blatant immorality and who deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Here is the peril which made Jude lay aside the treatise he was about to write and take up his pen to write this burning letter. The peril came from within the church. Certain men, as the King James Version has it, had crept in... read more

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