Chapter 1:
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Introduction 1 3 John Revelation
Jude
Verse 1. Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ - The highest glory which any,
either angel or man, can aspire to. The word servant, under the old
covenant, was adapted to the spirit of fear and bondage that clave
to that dispensation. But when the time appointed of the Father
was come, for the sending of his Son to redeem them that were
under the law, the word servant (used by the apostles concerning
themselves and all the children of God) signified one that, having
the Spirit of adoption, is made free by the Son of God. His being a
servant is the fruit and perfection of his being a son. And
whenever the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the new
Jerusalem, then will it be indeed that "his servants shall serve
him," Rev. xxii, 3. The brother of James - St. James was the more
eminent, usually styled, "the brother of the Lord." To them that
are beloved - The conclusion, ver. 21, exactly answers the
introduction. And preserved through Jesus Christ - So both the
spring and the accomplishment of salvation are pointed out. This
is premised, lest any of them should be discouraged by the terrible
things which are afterwards mentioned. And called - To receive
the whole blessing of God, in time and eternity.
Verse
3. When I gave all diligence to write to you of the common
salvation - Designed for all, and enjoyed by all believers. Here the
design of the epistle is expressed; the end of which exactly
answers the beginning. It was needful to exhort you to contend
earnestly - Yet humbly, meekly, and lovingly; otherwise your
contention will only hurt your cause, if not destroy your soul. For
the faith - All the fundamental truths. Once delivered - By God, to
remain unvaried for ever.
Verse
4. There are certain men crept in, who were of old described
before - Even as early as Enoch; of whom it was foretold, that by
their wilful sins they would incur this condemnation. Turning the
grace of God - Revealed in the gospel. Into lasciviousness - Into
an occasion of more abandoned wickedness.
Verse
5. He afterwards destroyed - The far greater part of that very
people whom he had once saved. Let none therefore presume
upon past mercies, as if he was now out of danger.
Verse
6. And the angels, who kept not their first dignity - Once assigned
them under the Son of God. But voluntarily left their own
habitation - Then properly their own, by the free gift of God. He
reserved - Delivered to be kept. In everlasting chains under
darkness - O how unlike their own habitation! When these fallen
angels came out of the hands of God, they were holy; else God
made that which was evil: and being holy, they were beloved of
God; else he hated the image of his own spotless purity. But now
he loves them no more; they are doomed to endless destruction.
(for if he loved them still, he would love what is sinful:) and both
his former love, and his present righteous and eternal displeasure
towards the same work of his own hands, are because he changeth
not; because he invariably loveth righteousness, and hateth
iniquity. 2 Pet. ii, 4.
Verse
7. The cities which gave themselves over to fornication - The
word here means, unnatural lusts. Are set forth as an example,
suffering the vengeance of eternal fire - That is, the vengeance
which they suffered is an example or a type of eternal fire.
Verse
8. In like manner these dreamers - Sleeping and dreaming all their
lives. Despise authority - Those that are invested with it by Christ,
and made by him the overseers of his flock. Rail at dignities - The
apostle does not seem to speak of worldly dignities. These they
had "in admiration for the sake of gain," ver. 16; but those holy
men, who for the purity of their lives, the soundness of their
doctrine, and the greatness of their labours in the work of the
ministry, were truly honourable before God and all good men; and
who were grossly vilified by those who turned the grace of God
into lasciviousness. Probably they were the impure followers of
Simon Magus, the same with the Gnostics and Nicolaitans, Rev.
ii, 15. 2 Pet. ii, 10.
Verse
9. Yet Michael - It does not appear whether St. Jude learned this
by any Revelation or from ancient tradition. It suffices, that these
things were not only true, but acknowledged as such by them to
whom he wrote. The archangel - This word occurs but once more
in the sacred writings, 1 Thess. iv, 16. So that whether there be
one archangel only, or more, it is not possible for us to determine.
When he disputed with the devil - At what time we know not.
Concerning the body of Moses - Possibly the devil would have
discovered the place where it was buried, which God for wise
reasons had concealed. Durst not bring even against him a railing
accusation - Though so far beneath him in every respect. But
simply said, (so great was his modesty!) The Lord rebuke thee - I
leave thee to the Judge of all.
Verse
10. But these - Without all shame. Rail at the things of God which
they know not - Neither can know, having no spiritual senses.
And the natural things, which they know - By their natural senses,
they abuse into occasions of sin.
Verse
11. Woe unto them - Of all the apostles St. Jude alone, and that in
this single place, denounces a woe. St. Peter, to the same effect,
pronounces them "cursed children." For they have gone in the
way of Cain - The murderer. And ran greedily - Literally, have
been poured out, like a torrent without banks. After the error of
Balaam - The covetous false prophet. And perished in the
gainsaying of Korah - Vengeance has overtaken them as it did
Korah, rising up against those whom God had sent.
Verse
12. These are spots - Blemishes. In your feasts of love - Anciently
observed in all the churches. Feeding themselves without fear -
Without any fear of God, or jealousy over themselves. Twice dead
- In sin, first by nature, and afterwards by apostasy. Plucked up by
the roots - And so incapable of ever reviving.
Verse
13. Wandering stars - Literally, planets, which shine for a time,
but have no light in themselves, and will be soon cast into utter
darkness. Thus the apostle illustrates their desperate wickedness
by comparisons drawn from the air, earth, sea, and heavens.
Verse
14. And of these also - As well as the antediluvian sinners Enoch -
So early was the prophecy referred to, ver. 4. The seventh from
Adam - There were only five of the fathers between Adam and
Enoch, 1 Chron. i, 1-3. The first coming of Christ was revealed to
Adam; his second, glorious coming, to Enoch; and the seventh
from Adam foretold the things which will conclude the seventh
age of the world. St. Jude might know this either from some
ancient book, or tradition, or immediate Revelation. Behold - As
if it were already done, the Lord cometh!
Verse
15. To execute judgment - Enoch herein looked beyond the flood.
Upon all - Sinners, in general. And to convict all the ungodly, in
particular, of all the grievous things which ungodly sinners (a
sinner is bad; but the ungodly who sin without fear are worse)
have spoken against him, ver. 8, 10, though they might not think,
all those speeches were against him.
Verse
16. These are murmurers - Against men. Complainers - Literally,
complainers of their fate, against God. Walking - With regard to
themselves. After their own foolish and mischievous desires.
Having men's persons in admiration for the sake of gain -
Admiring and commending them only for what they can get.
Verse
17. By the apostles - He does not exempt himself from the number
of apostles. For in the next verse he says, they told you, not us.
Verse
19. These are they who separate themselves, sensual, not having
the Spirit - Having natural senses and understanding only, not the
Spirit of God; otherwise they could not separate. For that it is a
sin, and a very heinous one, "to separate from the church," is out
of all question. But then it should be observed,
1. That by the church is meant a body of living Christians, who
are "an habitation of God through the Spirit:"
2. That by separating is understood, renouncing all religious
intercourse with them; no longer joining with them in solemn
prayer, or the other public offices of religion: and,
3. That we have no more authority from scripture to call even this
schism, than to call it murder.
Verse
20. But ye, beloved, not separating, but building yourselves up in
your most holy faith - Than which none can be more holy in itself,
or more conducive to the most refined and exalted holiness.
Praying through the Holy Spirit - Who alone is able to build you
up, as he alone laid the foundation. In this and the following verse
St. Jude mentions the Father, Son, and Spirit, together with faith,
love, and hope.
Verse
21. By these means, through his grace, keep yourselves in the love
of God, and in the confident expectation of that eternal life which
is purchased for you, and conferred upon you, through the mere
mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse
22. Meantime watch over others, as well as yourselves, and give
them such help as their various needs require. For instance,
1. Some, that are wavering in judgment, staggered by others' or by
their own evil reasoning, endeavour more deeply to convince of
the whole truth as it is in Jesus.
2. Some snatch, with a swift and strong hand, out of the fire of sin
and temptation.
3. On others show compassion in a milder and gentler way;
though still with a jealous fear, lest yourselves be infected with
the disease you endeavour to cure. See, therefore, that while you
love the sinners, ye retain the utmost abhorrence of their sins, and
of any the least degree of, or approach to, them.
Verse
24. Now to him who alone is able to keep them from falling - Into
any of these errors or sins. And to present them faultless in the
presence of his glory - That is, in his own presence, when he shall
be revealed in all his glory. Please see Notes at Matt. i, 1.
Chapter 1:
| Calvin
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 3 John Revelation
This version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1997, by Sulu D. Kelley. All rights reserved. Used by permission. It may not be modified or used commercially without permission of Wesleyan Heritage Publishing and Sulu Kelley. A special thanks to Mr. Kelley and Wesleyan Heritage Publishing for permission to create and post this version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible.
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
