Jude 1:1 A very important verse here, we see that we are "preserved in Jesus Christ and called." Not only that, but we are "sanctified by God" the Father, for His use toward His honor and glory.

The preservation of the saints is seen here, and, along with them, the preservation of the Truth of God, in His Word. Some skeptics deny the preserved Word of God today (KJB), and misunderstand, or outright reject the preservation of His Word. I believe He directly preserves His Word according to promise, but also it is preserved through His people, as the scribes handed it down word for word, in the Old Testament.
A "double preservation" if you will.

We are:
sanctified by God;
Preserved in Christ;
and called (most likely by the Holy Spirit)

Sanctified in mercy;(vs. 1,2)
preserved in peace;
and called through love.


Jude 1:2 What a wonderful greeting. Mercy, peace and love, the "big three" of Bible virtues and graces.

Another great trilogy:
Mercy (as being sanctified by God);
Peace (as being preserved in Christ);
and love (by which the Holy Spirit calls us)


Jude 1:3 The "common salvation"? It is common, as it is for the common people as well as aristocrats! Salvation is for everyone. We too are exhorted to "contend for the faith" earnestly, and not haphazardly. We must stand alone, and oppose evil at any cost, and in any form.
"Once delivered" this salvation is never to be given again, as Christ died once for all; it is never to be undone, or re-done; It never needs repeating.
Once received, always present.


Jude 1:4 These men were "ordained to this condemnation" as examples of what the ungodly can expect. These "crept in unawares" and deceived many, turning the grace of God into something evil, in many lusts and personal gain. They use God's people for their profit, and many do today too, for this reason we are told to "earnestly contend for the faith," as seen in the previous verse. We are to seek these out, and expose them, and oppose them and their teachings. These are why we are admonished to "contend for the faith."


Jude 1:5 They "once knew this" or learned it already.


Jude 1:6 Who are these "fallen angels"? First let us see that they "left their first estate" which was Heaven, (hence "fallen"), and their "own habitation" as intruders into another realm. I believe these are angels which served Lucifer when he fell from his first estate because of the pride of his beauty and majesty; when he fell, they went with him. They say that angels have no will to choose, but if this is the case, "they" may be wrong! It is possible though, that they were assigned to Lucifer, and had to go where he went, although he would be accountable for that more than they would. It would seem unjust to judge them for doing that which they were made to do. Some say that these are now lesser devils, or "demons" as we call them, though the Bible does not use this word.
Much is supposed from this passage that is not necessarily backed by the Bible: Many liken it to "The sons of God" in Gen_6:2-4, but if this were so, who released them from their chains of darkness to roam the earth so many years ago? No, I already explained who those "sons of God" were in the comments on Gen. 6. (also JOB 1 and 2)
We need to be careful of "filling in the gaps" that we think are there in scripture, and take it for what it says.


Jude 1:7 Some dispute the meaning of "fornication" but it is clear here that it has to do with all sorts of illicit sexual sins, and is all inclusive of the lust of them.
Whereas, "strange flesh," as we know, speaks of homosexuality.
Sodom was made an example of, a warning to others who may follow in their steps, that their doom is sealed, and their destiny is hell fire.


Jude 1:8 Sin in 3-D Defile the flesh;
Despise dominions; and speak evil of Dignities. Compare to v.11, and the three examples of such. One can see the things mentioned in v.11 easily here.

Defile (flesh); The way of Cain, v.11:
Despise (dominion); The error of Balaam:
Dignities (evil spoken of); the gainsaying of Core. (11)


Jude 1:9 Though we are exhorted to "contend" for the faith, we are to do it through Christ, and not ourselves. It is not our warfare, but His; He is the Champion of our soul's. If the arch angel Michael was afraid to rebuke the evil one, we should be so much more afraid to try it on our own, in our own power. Satan has deceived, and conquered every man that ever lived, save Christ, so what chance have we of opposing him?


Jude 1:10 Many do speak evil of things which they know not, when they accuse preachers of only wanting money; or when they criticize the Christian for tithing; or perhaps when they think us foolish for attending services, etc., but that's not all, the things they do know are the things they corrupt themselves in! Even the inner witness of greater things are denied by their hardened hearts, and the natural witness of nature, as well as the "light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (Jn. 1:9) from within them.


Jude1:11 We have here three examples of the attitude of sin.
All three are taken from Old Testament examples, and each teach us an important truth.
Proof that the Old Testament is a sort of allegory for the New, and that we are to glean practical lessons from it.
The way of Cain represents coming to God in our own way, and by our own means;
The error of Balaam represents seeking after the things of this world, and allowing gain to persuade us away from Truth; Or, as many say, the "mixing" of Holy with unholy, with light and darkness; the lack of separation.
And the gainsaying of Korah represents the opposition of proper authority, or opposing the proper "channels" in the "chain of command" if you will. Rebellion.

Note the progression here: they have gone; ran; and they perished.


Jude 1:12 These are a great burden, a bane and not a blessing. Three useless and vain illustrations are used to describe these false believers: Spots (blemishes) in your love feasts of charity, representing themselves as one of you; Clouds without rain, do nothing but float along the horizon; trees whose fruit is withered, and they are themselves already dead; dead in the sense of providing their fruit, and dead in the true sense, plucked up by the roots.

The wicked are:
Spots in our love feasts; (blemishes)
clouds without water;(empty, useless)
and trees with withered fruit; (Just there, but not useful or productive.)
Raging waves (13); (Terrible noise makers; crashing to shore, then dissipating.)
Wandering stars, (13). (Shooting stars have no place to rest)


Jude 1:13 Here Jude continues to describe these impostor's, with two more illustrations; as unstable as the waves, and as restless as the stars.


Jude 1:14 A prophesy is attributed to Enoch, who "walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." (Gen5:24)
As far as we know, this is the only prophesy quoted from this great man, and it must have been handed down through history by the scribes, as we find no book of Enoch in the Bible today.


Jude 1:15 The Lord cometh "to execute judgment" on the ungodly. Note how many times the "ungodly" are mentioned here. This seems to be the rest of the quote from Enoch.


Jude 1:16 Here we define these "ungodly" ones' and the "fruit" of their thinking. The ungodly dwell daily in these things, not just think on them for a time. Their entire lives are consumed in wickedness.


Jude 1:17 It never hurts to "jog our memories."


Jude 1:18 We are warned of false believers, wolves in sheep's clothing, who "walk after their own lusts" and not after God.


Jude 1:19 The easiest way to spot a backslidden Christian is to OBserve him shying away from the fellowship of the brethren!

These verses, I believe, speaks of "impostors" and not true Christians, who "having not the Spirit," will be capable of, and prone to much self seeking, and other sin.


Jude1:20 "But ye" Jude is making a distinction here between us and them; between the good and evil;
See the contrast, the fruits of the Christian vs. the fruits of the impostors.


Jude 1:21 Though we are actually kept by the power of God, we are also to "keep" ourselves. A little self-discipline is needed to keep ourselves "in the love of God" or in the special place of His blessing. We are to keep ourselves pure, and in fellowship with Him.

This is not speaking of salvation, but of position; we can remain close to The Lord, or we can stray away. The "love" mentioned here is that special love that a father has for his son, especially when the son pleases the father. Let's face it, it is easier for us to "love" the child who is doing right, than the one who is rebellious and self centered. The love is no different, but it is manifest differently.


Jude 1:22 Often we use this verse for soul winning; it is very appropriate for that, but, keeping in the text and "flow" of the epistle, we must acknowledge a truer meaning, and a primary application. (along with v. 23)

I believe Jude is simply telling us to deal with these false brothers, but do it with compassion, because compassion makes a difference!


Jude 1:23 This verse seems to refer to the lost, who we literally "pull out of the fire" by sharing the gospel with them.
We must, though, consider ourselves, and remember to hate sin, lest we become consumed in their lusts, and overwhelmed in their schemes.

Many have illustrated that the healthy do not make the sick better simply by being around them, but, the sick can be contagious to the healthy! On the same token, a rotten apple does not make good apples better, instead one apple spreads its rottenness to others. I know we are not apples in a barrel, but evil is much the same because of our flesh and carnal nature.

Hating even the garment stained by sin, will keep us further from the act of sin itself. We need not flirt with sin, but stay as far away from it as we can.


Jude 1:24 Now we see the fact that we are kept by God, because He is "able" and also willing to keep us "faultless" before the Father.


Jude 1:25 Ending the epistle in praise to the Lord is a wonderful way to close. We ought to have words of praise for Him all the day long, and each night before the close of the day, we ought to thank him, and praise him.

And finally, to the glory of God:
Glory;
Majesty;
Dominion;
and power.