Jude 1:17-18

"Forgetfulness of the teaching and warnings of God in Scripture is a major cause of spiritual deterioration. . . .

"Remember! It is the first imperative that Jude has used, and it heads a whole cluster of them in this concluding section." [Note: Green, p. 180.]

The term "apostles" here evidently refers to the Twelve plus Paul rather than to the larger group of Christian leaders whom Jesus sent out with the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20). The New Testament writers also called this larger group "apostles" (cf. Romans 16:7; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25). The smaller group of apostles, however, were those who mainly established the church on the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Judges 1:3). It is for that faith that Jude urged his readers to contend. The official apostles therefore seem to be in view here rather than all those who functioned as apostles (lit. sent ones).

Jude’s quotation of the apostles’ teaching (Judges 1:18) seems to be a general summary rather than a specific reference. We find a similar statement in 2 Peter 3:3, and that too is probably a summary. Jude may not have been quoting 2 Peter 3:3 here. Many conservative scholars believe Peter wrote his second epistle after Jude. [Note: See my discussion of this subject in my notes on 2 Peter.]

The "last time" refers to the end of the historical period that encompasses the church age and the Tribulation. After this "last time" God will rule directly over humankind, first during the Millennium and then in the new heavens and new earth (cf. 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1; et al.). It is the last time in relation to Jesus Christ’s return to reign on earth.

The object of the "mockers" mocking seems to be the revealed will of God (cf. Psalms 35:16; Proverbs 14:6; Proverbs 19:25; et al.).

"These workers were . . . ever intent on experiencing the thrills of new forms of ungodliness." [Note: D. Edmond Hiebert, "An Exposition of Judges 1:17-23," Bibliotheca Sacra 142:568 (October-December 1985):358.]