Jude 1:16 - Meaning and Application

Here the apostle says more about the character of these evil men and deceivers. They are grumblers and complainers, Jude 1:16. A complaining spirit, when it is fed and openly shown, gives a person a very bad name. At the least, it shows weakness, and in most cases it shows real evil. Such people complain against God and his providence, and against other people and their conduct. They are angry at everything that happens, and they are never satisfied with their place in life.

They also follow their own desires. Their will, appetite, and imagination are their only rule. Those who give themselves to sinful cravings are usually the ones most ready to follow uncontrolled passions. When a person lets sinful desires lead, stronger sins are close behind.

The apostle then turns to warn and encourage those he is writing to, Jude 1:17-23. He first tells them to remember how they had already been warned. “Beloved, remember,” he says, Jude 1:17. They must not think it strange, as if their faith should be shaken, that such people would arise, even early in the Christian church. The apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ had already foretold this, so its fulfillment should strengthen their faith, not unsettle it.

Those who want to persuade others must show true love for them. Harsh speech and bitter treatment have never won people over, and never will. Also, the words spoken or written by inspired people, when carefully remembered and thought about, are the best protection against dangerous error. This will remain true until people learn to speak better than God himself. We should not be shocked when errors and persecution rise in the Christian church. This was foretold, and so we should not think less of Christ’s person, teaching, or cross when we see it happen. See 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:1, and 2 Peter 3:3. We must not think it strange, but take comfort in this, that Christ will still keep his church and fulfill his promise that the gates of hell will not defeat it (Matthew 16:18). The more religion is mocked and attacked, the more firmly we should hold to it. Since we have been warned ahead of time, we should show that we are prepared. Under such trials, we should stand firm and not be quickly shaken in our minds, 2 Thessalonians 2:2.

He next guards them against deceivers by describing their hateful character further. “These are those who divide,” Jude 1:19. Sensual people, that is, people ruled by bodily desires, are the worst kind of separatists. They separate themselves from God, Christ, and his church by their ungodly lives and wicked habits. That is far worse than separating from some visible part of the church because of opinions, forms, or details of church government or worship, though many can tolerate the first while constantly criticizing the second, as if no sin were deadly except what they choose to call schism. Sensual people do not have the Spirit, meaning the Spirit of God and Christ, the Spirit of holiness. Anyone who does not have that Spirit does not belong to Christ, Romans 8:9.

The worse others behave, the more carefully we should live well ourselves. The more Satan and his workers try to lead others astray in belief or conduct, the more firmly we should hold to sound teaching and a good life. We should hold fast the faithful word, as we have been taught by God, and keep the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, Titus 1:9; 1 Timothy 3:9.

He then urges them to keep going in truth and holiness. They are to build themselves up in their most holy faith, Jude 1:20. The way to hold fast our faith is to keep growing in it. Once we have laid a good foundation in sound belief and a sincere heart, we must keep building on it. We should be careful what kind of materials we use in that building, namely gold, silver, and precious stones, not wood, hay, and straw, 1 Corinthians 3:12. Right beliefs and a faithful way of life will stand the test, even in severe trials. But if we mix in what is base and worthless, then even if we are sincere in the main, we will still suffer loss. If we ourselves are saved, that part of our work will still be burned up, and we will barely escape, as from a house burning on every side.

They are also to pray in the Holy Spirit. Prayer nourishes faith. The way to build ourselves up in our most holy faith is to keep praying, Romans 12:12. Our prayers are most likely to succeed when we pray in the Holy Spirit, that is, under his guidance and influence, according to the rule of his Word, with faith, earnestness, and steady persistence. This is praying in the Holy Spirit, whether done with a set form or without one.

They are to keep themselves in the love of God, Jude 1:21. This means keeping the grace of love toward God active, alive, and strong in their souls. It also means taking care not to place themselves outside the felt comfort and blessing of God’s love. They should keep in God’s way if they want to continue in his love.

They are also to wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Eternal life is to be expected only through mercy. Mercy is our only plea, not our own merit. If there is merit at all, it is not ours but another’s, the one who earned for us what we could never claim or hope for on our own. This is spoken not only of the mercy of God as our Creator, but also of the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ as Redeemer. All who come to heaven must come through our Lord Jesus Christ, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved, but the name of the Lord Jesus alone, Acts 4:12, compared with Acts 4:10. A living hope for eternal life will protect us against sin’s traps, 2 Peter 3:14. A strong faith in the blessed hope helps us put sinful desires to death.

Finally, he shows them how to deal with brothers and sisters who have gone astray, Jude 1:22, Jude 1:23. We should do all we can to rescue others from the devil’s traps, so that they may be saved from dangerous error or brought back when they have fallen into harmful practices. Under God, we are not only to watch over ourselves, but each person should also, as far as he can, watch over his brother. Only wicked Cain would argue against that, Genesis 4:9. We must look out for one another, correct each other faithfully but wisely, and set a good example for everyone around us.

This must be done with compassion and with careful distinction. We must tell apart those who are weak from those who are willful.

Some people we must treat with compassion. We should handle them gently, restore them with a humble spirit, and not be needlessly harsh in our criticism of them or their actions. We should not act proud or cold toward them, and we should not be stubborn or unwilling to be reconciled when they show clear signs of sincere repentance. If God has forgiven them, why should we refuse? We need his forgiveness far more than they need ours, even if neither they nor we fully realize that.

Others we must save with fear, by pressing on them the fears of the Lord. That means we should try to shake them out of their sins and warn them seriously about judgment. Yet it may also mean something more careful here, namely, that we should use even strong rebukes wisely and with caution. We must be careful that our good intentions are not ruined by rash handling, so that we do not harden people instead of helping them, even when stronger discipline is needed than in the first case.

We often overdo things when we know we mean well and think we are generally right. Still, even the worst people should not be provoked needlessly, rashly, or pushed to the limit. If we do that, we may help harden them through our own fault. We should hate even the garment stained by the flesh, that is, keep as far away as possible from what is evil or seems evil, and help others do the same (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Avoid everything that leads to sin or looks like sin.

The apostle ends this letter with a solemn praise to the great God (Jude 1:24, Jude 1:25). No matter what we have been discussing, the best way to finish is by giving glory to God. He is able, and just as willing as he is able, to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before his glorious presence. This does not mean we were never guilty, because what has already been done cannot be undone, even by God, since that would be a contradiction. It means our sins will not be counted against us to our ruin, which would have been just if not for God’s mercy and the merits of the Savior.

Before the presence of his glory means that the glory of the Lord will soon be openly revealed. Right now we think of it as far away, and many even think of it as uncertain, but it will come. It will be clear and unmistakable, and every eye will see him (Revelation 1:7). At present this is a matter of faith, but one day, and surely not long from now, it will be a matter of sight. The one we now believe in, we will soon see, bringing either great joy and comfort or terrible fear and dread (1 Peter 1:8).

All true and sincere believers will be presented to the Father by the Lord Redeemer, their glorious Head, so that they may receive his approval, welcome, and reward. The Father gave them to Christ, and Christ has not lost any of them, nor will he lose even one. Not a single soul will be missing when he presents them all perfectly holy and happy. Then he will hand over his mediatorial kingdom, his role as the one who rules and brings people to God, to his God and our God, his Father and our Father (John 6:39; John 17:12; 1 Corinthians 15:24).

When believers are presented faultless, it will be with great joy. Right now our sins fill us with fear, doubt, and sorrow. But take heart, if we are sincere, we will be presented faultless. Our dear Redeemer has promised this. Where there is no sin, there will be no sorrow. Where holiness is complete, joy will also be complete. Surely the God who can do this and will do this deserves glory, majesty, dominion, and power, now and forever. To this we may rightly add our full Amen.