Prophecy of Judgment on False Teachers - Jude 1:14-16
At this point, Jude turned his focus to a prophecy of divine judgment from the Jewish literary tradition. Jude applied this prophecy to the ungodly false teachers to demonstrate their ultimate condemnation and destruction.
Enoch's Prophecy of Judgment. - Jude 1:14-15
Jude referred to a prophecy from a non-canonical Jewish tradition concerning the impending universal judgment of God on the ungodly.
Enoch, the seventh from Adam - Jude 1:14
Enoch An "Enoch" is mentioned in Gen. 5:18-24. He was a member of the seventh generation from Adam by inclusive count. Jude quoted from one of the most famous works in early Jewish literature, the
Book of Enoch, also known as
1 Enoch. Jude did not imply either that the book is inspired or even the historical Enoch was its author. Rather, the words of the prophecy express Jude's point well—Enoch was a well-known and regarded work—so Jude took advantage of this source to further his condemnation of the false teacher.
prophesied Jude apparently thought of this prophecy as an accurate prediction of the future divine judgment. The truthfulness of the prophecy is confirmed by many OT prophecies (e.g., Dan. 7:9-10; Zech. 14:5). The OT is clear that God will decisively judge the ungodly among whom are the false teachers who deceived Jude's readers. Jude was therefore correct to apply this prophecy to the false teachers.
holy ones On the last day, the Lord will come with an army of angels to pour out his judgment upon the ungodly (Zech. 14:5; Matt. 25:31).
Ungodly - Jude 1:15
ungodly Jude's preferred description of his opponents. Their rebellion was primarily against God himself, and their teaching did not encourage godliness or submission to God's authority (cf. vv. 4, 18).
WLC 88;
BC 37.
Application of Prophecy to False Teachers - Jude 1:16
Jude applied this prophecy to the false teachers by charging them with ungodliness in three accusations.
Grumblers and faultfinders - Jude 1:16
grumblers and complainers By using these words, Jude compared the false teachers to the Israelites in the wilderness. The Greek words used here remind the reader of the stories of God's people "grumbling" against his authority (cf. Num. 14:27; 16:11; 17:10; Deut. 1:27; Ps. 106:25). Like the Israelites, the false teachers are rebelling against the authority of God over their lives and influencing others to do the same.
flatter others The false teachers likely molded their teaching to receive favor from the rich or influential in the church (cf. Jam. 2:1-9).
WLC 145.
Encouragement to Believers - Jude 1:17-23
Jude appealed to apostolic teaching that confirmed God's destruction of the wicked. Jude also exhorted his readers to pursue a godly life by relying on God's mercy in Christ Jesus.
Encouragement to Persevere Against Ungodliness - Jude 1:17-21
The church should be comforted that the presence of ungodly people is not a surprise to the Lord. Both their presence and their destruction is part of God's decree. Believers are to be encouraged and remain steadfast.
Remember what the apostles . . . foretold - Jude 1:17
apostles Jude was not an apostle, according to this statement. But this statement does not imply that he was not a member of their generation, as some have argued.
Last times - Jude 1:18
last time This phrase refers to the period between Jesus's first and second comings (Acts 2:17; Heb. 1:12).
mockers The false teachers were defiant toward the authority of God and perhaps especially toward the reality of their own judgment at his hands (cf. 2 Pet. 3:3–4).
ungodly desires This is the core of Jude's charge against the false teachers.
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