Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Woe {G3759} unto them {G846}! for {G3754} they have gone {G4198} in the way {G3598} of Cain {G2535}, and {G2532} ran greedily after {G1632} the error {G4106} of Balaam {G903} for reward {G3408}, and {G2532} perished {G622} in the gainsaying {G485} of Core {G2879}.
Woe to them, in that they have walked the road of Kayin, they have given themselves over for money to the error of Bil‘am, they have been destroyed in the rebellion of Korach.
Woe to them! They have traveled the path of Cain; they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam; they have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.
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2 Peter 2:15
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; -
1 John 3:12
Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. -
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. -
Genesis 4:3
¶ And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. -
Genesis 4:14
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, [that] every one that findeth me shall slay me. -
Numbers 26:9
And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This [is that] Dathan and Abiram, [which were] famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD: -
Numbers 26:10
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.
Jude 1:11 delivers a powerful "woe" against those who emulate three notorious figures from Old Testament history: Cain, Balaam, and Korah. This verse serves as a stark indictment of false teachers and ungodly individuals who infiltrate the church, highlighting the destructive nature of their paths.
Context of Jude 1:11
The Book of Jude is a short, urgent letter written to warn believers about false teachers who had infiltrated the early church. Jude implores his readers to "earnestly contend for the faith" against these ungodly individuals who distort grace and deny Christ. This verse, therefore, serves as a vivid illustration of the character and ultimate destiny of such deceivers, drawing parallels between their destructive behavior and ancient examples of rebellion and corruption from Israel's history.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The term "error" in "the error of Balaam" comes from the Greek word planē (πλανη), which denotes a spiritual wandering, delusion, or deception. It implies being led astray from truth, often with the intention of leading others astray. "Gainsaying" in "the gainsaying of Core" is from antilogia (ἀντιλογία), meaning contradiction, opposition, or rebellion, specifically against established and divinely appointed authority.
Detailed Exploration of the Three Examples
The Way of Cain
This refers to Cain's murder of his brother Abel (Genesis 4). Cain's path was characterized by envy, unrighteousness, a rejection of God's acceptable sacrifice, and ultimately, violence stemming from a wicked heart. It represents self-will, hatred, and a refusal to submit to God's prescribed ways, leading to spiritual and moral darkness.
The Error of Balaam
This describes the prophet Balaam, who, for financial reward, was willing to curse Israel and later advised Balak on how to cause Israel to stumble into idolatry and immorality (Numbers 22-24, Numbers 31:16). This "error" is driven by greed, where spiritual gifts or knowledge are prostituted for personal profit, leading to the corruption of others. The New Testament also warns against "the doctrine of Balaam".
The Gainsaying of Core (Korah)
This points to Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron's divinely appointed leadership (Numbers 16). Korah and his followers challenged legitimate spiritual authority, seeking power and prestige for themselves. This "gainsaying" signifies open defiance, insubordination, and a rejection of God's chosen instruments, ultimately resulting in their destruction.
Practical Application
Jude 1:11 serves as a timeless warning for believers today. It cautions against the dangers of:
The verse calls Christians to discern false teaching and to avoid the destructive paths that lead to spiritual ruin, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith, humility, and submission to God's truth and established order. Believers are encouraged to remain vigilant and rooted in sound doctrine to avoid these ancient, yet perpetually relevant, pitfalls.