Jude 1:16

These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

These {G3778} are {G1526} murmurers {G1113}, complainers {G3202}, walking {G4198} after {G2596} their own {G846} lusts {G1939}; and {G2532} their {G846} mouth {G4750} speaketh {G2980} great swelling {G5246} words, having men's persons {G4383} in admiration {G2296} because {G5484} of advantage {G5622}.

These people are grumblers and complainers, they follow their evil passions, their mouths speak grandiosities, and they flatter others to gain advantage.

These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.

These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage.

Context

Jude's epistle is a concise yet urgent warning against dangerous false teachers who had infiltrated the early Christian communities. Written to believers, its primary purpose, as stated in Jude 1:3, was to exhort them to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." This verse, Jude 1:16, is part of a vivid description of these apostates, highlighting their character flaws and deceptive practices. Jude paints a stark picture of their moral bankruptcy and selfish motives, drawing parallels to Old Testament rebellious figures and events, much like the warnings found in 2 Peter concerning false prophets.

Key Themes

  • Discontentment and Rebellion: The terms "murmurers" and "complainers" point to a deep-seated dissatisfaction, mirroring the rebellious spirit of the Israelites in the wilderness who constantly grumbled against God and Moses (Numbers 14:2).
  • Self-Indulgence: "Walking after their own lusts" emphasizes their pursuit of personal desires rather than divine will or the well-being of others. Their actions are driven by carnal appetites and selfish ambition.
  • Deceitful and Boastful Speech: Their "great swelling words" describe bombastic, empty rhetoric designed to impress and deceive rather than to convey truth or edify. This superficial eloquence is a tool for manipulation.
  • Flattery for Personal Gain: "Having men's persons in admiration because of advantage" reveals their mercenary motives. They show favoritism or flatter influential individuals not out of genuine respect but solely to secure personal benefits, power, or financial gain. This contrasts sharply with godly impartiality (James 2:9).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Murmurers" (Greek: gongystai): This word literally describes those who grumble or complain, often under their breath. It evokes the image of discontented Israelites, as seen in Exodus 16:7.
  • "Complainers" (Greek: mempsimoiroi): This unique term means "fault-finders" or those who find fault with their lot, often in a way that implies blaming God or circumstances rather than taking personal responsibility.
  • "Great swelling words" (Greek: hyperonka): This phrase suggests pompous, arrogant, or boastful speech that lacks substance. It's empty rhetoric designed to impress or mislead, a characteristic also noted in 2 Peter 2:18 regarding false teachers. The KJV's bracketed "[words]" indicates it's supplied for clarity, as the Greek term itself implies "pompous things" or "boastful utterances."
  • "Having men's persons in admiration because of advantage" (Greek: prosopolemptountes): This powerful verb implies "showing partiality" or "respecting persons" based on outward appearance, status, or wealth, specifically for selfish gain. It's a strong condemnation of hypocrisy and self-serving motives.

Practical Application

Jude 1:16 offers timeless warnings for believers today. It calls for spiritual discernment in an age where eloquent speakers and influential personalities abound. We are encouraged to look beyond outward charm or impressive rhetoric and evaluate individuals based on their character, consistency, and true motives. If someone's teaching or leadership is marked by constant complaint, self-serving ambition, boastful claims, or a tendency to flatter for personal gain, it serves as a red flag. True spiritual leadership is characterized by humility, contentment, integrity, and a genuine concern for others, not by the pursuit of personal advantage or the manipulation of others through empty words. This verse reminds us to seek authenticity and substance in faith, rather than being swayed by superficial displays.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Peter 2:18

    For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

  • 2 Peter 2:10

    ¶ But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

  • Philippians 2:14

    ¶ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

  • 1 Corinthians 10:10

    Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

  • 1 Peter 4:2

    That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

  • 1 Timothy 6:5

    Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

  • James 1:14

    But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back