TRV
Study This Verse
Commentary on Jude 1 verses 16–25
Here, I. The apostle enlarges further on the character of these evil men and seducers: they are murmurers, complainers, etc., Jde 1:16. Observe, A murmuring complaining temper, indulged and expressed, lays men under a very bad character; such are very weak at least, and for the most part very wicked. They murmur against God and his providence, against men and their conduct; they are angry at every thing that happens, and never pleased with their own state and condition in the world, as not thinking it good enough for them. Such walk after their own lusts; their will, their appetite, their fancy, are their only rule and law. Note, Those who please their sinful appetites are most prone to yield to their ungovernable passions.
II. He proceeds to caution and exhort those to whom he is writing, Jde 1:17-23. Here,
1.He calls them to remember how they have been forewarned: But, beloved, remember, etc., Jde 1:17. "Remember, take heed that you think it not strange (so as to stumble and be offended, and have your faith staggered by it) that such people as the seducers before described and warned against should arise (and that early) in the Christian church, seeing all this was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently the accomplishment of it in the event is a confirmation of your faith, instead of being in the least an occasion of shaking and unsettling you therein." Note, (1.) Those who would persuade must make it evident that they sincerely love those whom they would persuade. Bitter words and hard usage never did nor ever will convince, much less persuade any body. (2.) The words which inspired persons have spoken (or written), duly remembered and reflected on, are the best preservative against dangerous errors; this will always be so, till men have learnt to speak better than God himself. (3.) We ought not to be offended if errors and persecutions arise and prevail in the Christian church; this was foretold, and therefore we should not think worse of Christ's person, doctrine, or cross, when we see it fulfilled. See Ti1 4:1, and Ti2 3:1, and Pe2 3:3. We must not think it strange, but comfort ourselves with this, that in the midst of all this confusion Christ will maintain his church, and make good his promise, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, Mat 16:18. (4.) The more religion is ridiculed and persecuted the faster hold we should take and keep of it; being forewarned, we should show that we are fore-armed; under such trials we should stand firm, and not be soon shaken in mind, Th2 2:2.
2.He guards them against seducers by a further description of their odious character: These are those who separate, etc., Jde 1:19. Observe, (1.) Sensualists are the worst separatists. They separate themselves from God, and Christ, and his church, to the devil, the world, and the flesh, by their ungodly courses and vicious practices; and this is a great deal worse than separation from any particular branch of the visible church on account of opinions or modes and circumstances of external government or worship, though many can patiently bear with the former, while they are plentifully and almost perpetually railing at the latter, as if no sin were damnable but what they are pleased to call schism. (2.) Sensual men have not the Spirit, that is, of God and Christ, the Spirit of holiness, which whoever has not, is none of Christ's, does not belong to him, Rom 8:9. (3.) The worse others are the better should we endeavour and approve ourselves to be; the more busy Satan and his instruments are to pervert others, in judgment or practice, the more tenacious should we be of sound doctrine and a good conversation, holding fast the faithful word, as we have been (divinely) taught, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience, Tit 1:9; Ti1 3:9.
3.He exhorts them to persevering constancy in truth and holiness.
(1.)Building up yourselves in your most holy faith, Jde 1:20. Observe, The way to hold fast our profession is to hold on in it. Having laid our foundation well in a sound faith, and a sincere upright heart, we must build upon it, make further progress continually; and we should take care with what materials we carry on our building, namely, gold, silver, precious stones, not wood, hay, stubble, Co1 3:12. Right principles and a regular conversation will stand the test even of the fiery trial; but, whatever we mix of baser alloy, though we be in the main sincere, we shall suffer loss by it, and though our persons be saved all that part of our work shall be consumed; and, if we ourselves escape, it will be with great danger and difficulty, as from a house on fire on every side.
(2.)Praying in the Holy Ghost. Observe, [1.] Prayer is the nurse of faith; the way to build up ourselves in our most holy faith is to continue instant in prayer, Rom 12:12. [2.] Our prayers are then most likely to prevail when we pray in the Holy Ghost, that is, under his guidance and influence, according to the rule of his word, with faith, fervency, and constant persevering importunity; this is praying in the Holy Ghost, whether it be done by or without a set prescribed form.
(3.)Keep yourselves in the love of God, Jde 1:21. [1.] "Keep up the grace of love to God in its lively vigorous actings and exercises in your souls." [2.] "Take heed of throwing yourselves out of the love of God to you, or its delightful, cheering, strengthening manifestations; keep yourselves in the way of God, if you would continue in his love."
(4.)Looking for the mercy, etc. [1.] Eternal life is to be looked for only through mercy; mercy is our only plea, not merit; or if merit, not our own, but another's, who has merited for us what otherwise we could have laid no claim to, nor have entertained any well-grounded hope of. [2.] It is said, not only through the mercy of God as our Creator, but through the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ as Redeemer; all who come to heaven must come thither through our Lord Jesus Christ; for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved, but that of the Lord Jesus only, Act 4:12, compared with Act 4:10. [3.] A believing expectation of eternal life will arm us against the snares of sin (Pe2 3:14); a lively faith of the blessed hope will help us to mortify our cursed lusts.
4.He directs them how to behave towards erring brethren: And of some have compassion, etc., Jde 1:22, Jde 1:23. Observe, (1.) We ought to do all we can to rescue others out of the snares of the devil, that they may be saved from (or recovered, when entangled therein, out of) dangerous errors, or pernicious practices. We are not only (under God) our own keepers, but every man ought to be, as much as in him lies, his brother's keeper; none but a wicked Cain will contradict this, Gen 4:9. We must watch over one another, must faithfully, yet prudently, reprove each other, and set a good example to all about us. (2.) This must be done with compassion, making a difference. How is that? We must distinguish between the weak and the wilful. [1.] Of some we must have compassion, treat them with all tenderness, restore them in the spirit of meekness, not be needlessly harsh and severe in our censures of them and their actions, nor proud and haughty in our conduct towards them; not implacable, nor averse to reconciliation with them, or admitting them to the friendship they formerly had with us, when they give evident or even strongly hopeful tokens of a sincere repentance: if God has forgiven them, why should not we? We infinitely more need his forgiveness than they do, or can do, ours, though perhaps neither they nor we are justly or sufficiently sensible of this. [2.] Others save with fear, urging upon them the terrors of the Lord; "Endeavour to frighten them out of their sins; preach hell and damnation to them." But what if prudence and caution in administering even the most just and severe reproofs be what are primarily and chiefly here intimated - (I do but offer it for consideration); as if he had said, "Fear lest you frustrate your own good intentions and honest designs by rash and imprudent management, that you do not harden, instead of reclaiming, even where greater degrees of severity are requisite than in the immediately foregoing instance." We are often apt to over-do, when we are sure we mean honestly, and think we are right in the main; yet the very worst are not needlessly, nor rashly, nor to extremity, to be provoked, lest they be thereby further hardened through our default. - "Hating even the garment spotted with the flesh, that is, keeping yourselves at the utmost distance from what is or appears evil, and designing and endeavouring that others may do so too. Avoid all that leads to sin or that looks like sin," Th1 5:22.
III. The apostle concludes this epistle with a solemn ascription of glory to the great God, Jde 1:24, Jde 1:25. Note, 1. Whatever is the subject or argument we have been treating of, ascribing glory to God is fittest for us to conclude with. 2. God is able, and he is as willing as able, to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory; not as those who never have been faulty (for what has once been done can never be rendered undone, even by Omnipotence itself, for that implies a contradiction), but as those whose faults shall not be imputed, to their ruin, which, but for God's mercy and a Saviour's merits, they might most justly have been. - Before the presence of his glory. Observe, (1.) The glory of the Lord will shortly be present. We now look upon it as distant, and too many look upon it as uncertain, but it will come, and it will be manifest and apparent. Every eye shall see him, Rev 1:7. This is now the object of our faith, but hereafter (and surely it cannot now be long) it will be the object of our sense; whom we now believe in, him we shall shortly see, to our unspeakable joy and comfort or inexpressible terror and consternation. See Pe1 1:8. (2.) All real sincere believers shall be presented, and the Lord Redeemer's appearance and coming, by him their glorious head, to the Father, in order to his approbation, acceptance, and reward. They were given to him of the Father, and of all that were so given to him he has lost none, nor will lose any one, not an individual, a single soul, but will present them all perfectly holy and happy, when he shall surrender his mediatorial kingdom to his God and our God, his Father and our Father, Joh 6:39, with Joh 17:12, Co1 15:24. (3.) When believers shall be presented faultless it will be with exceeding joy. Alas! now our faults fill us with fears, doubts, and sorrows. But be of good cheer; if we be sincere, we shall be, our dear Redeemer has undertaken for it, we shall be presented faultless; where there is no sin there will be no sorrow; where there is the perfection of holiness, there will be the perfection of joy. Surely, the God who can and will do this is worthy to have glory, majesty, dominion, and power, ascribed to him, both now and for ever! And to this we may well, with the apostle, affix our hearty Amen.
"But some," he says, "save, plucking them from the fire;" "but of some have compassion in fear," that is, teach those who fall into the fire to free themselves. "Hating," he says, "that spotted garment, which is carnal:" that of the soul, namely; the spotted garment is a spirit polluted by carnal lusts.
Since, then, there is much difference between those who have sacrificed, what a want of mercy it is, and how bitter is the hardship, to associate those who have received certificates, with those who have sacrificed, when he by whom the certificate has been received may say, "I had previously read, and had been made aware by the discourse of the bishop, that we must not sacrifice to idols, that the servant of God ought not to worship images; and therefore, in order that I might not do this which was net lawful, when the opportunity of receiving a certificate was offered, which itself also I should not have received, unless the opportunity had been put before me, I either went or charged some other person going to the magistrate, to say that I am a Christian, that I am not allowed to sacrifice, that I cannot come to the devil's altars, and that I pay a price for this purpose, that I may not do what is not lawful for me to do." Now, however, even he who is stained with having received a certificate,-after he has learnt from our admonitions that he ought not even to have done this, and that although his hand is pure, and no contact of deadly food has polluted his lips, yet his conscience is nevertheless polluted, weeps when he hears us, and laments, and is now admonished of the thing wherein he has sinned, and having been deceived, not so much by guilt as by error, bears witness that for another time he is instructed and prepared.
Jude is recommending mercy for those who doubt the truth of the words of false teaching. As for other kinds of doubters, James condemns them in his letter.
And of some have compassion, making a difference: others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh, etc. What he said with fear must be joined to all three things he proposed. Because whoever reproves apostates and shows them as damnable must act in fear, lest perhaps he or his loved ones suffer something similar. And whoever rescues another from the fire of vices by chastising him, must consider himself lest he also be tempted. And whoever shows mercy to a penitent neighbor must also do this carefully, lest perhaps he becomes more severe or more lenient than is just.
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
"But you, beloved." Therefore, Jude says, but you building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, that is, making your own gatherings according to the teaching of the Holy Spirit in your prayers. "keep yourselves in the love of God," that is, safeguard yourselves, waiting for the mercy of our Lord that leads to eternal life. And those, if they separate from you (for this is what "to distinguish" means), rebuke them, that is, make their wickedness evident to all.
If they are aimed at healing, do not reject them, but receive them with your love, snatching them out of the fire that threatens them. But receive them with caution and with fear, considering that the reception of these may become a cause of distress for you if you are careless in your dealings with them, leading to the theft of those already established into the same overflow of their wickedness. For wickedness is very zealous. Therefore, let their reception be, Jude says. But approach them with fear, either with careful consideration, and let the hatred towards their small deeds be accompanied by mercy, hating and detesting them, and the garment stained by their flesh, or their defiled garment, as it touches their flesh and becomes disgusting. Those who receive them with the fear of the coming punishment, Jude says, should see mercy granted to them, preparing for repentance. Having said these things, he seals the letter with a prayer.
Continue studying Jude 1:22 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Jude 1:22 provides a crucial pastoral instruction within Jude's urgent letter, calling believers to exercise discerning compassion towards those within the community who are wavering in their faith or susceptible to the influence of false teachers. This verse emphasizes that while contending for the truth is vital, it must be balanced with an active, differentiating mercy, recognizing that not all who stray are in the same spiritual condition or require the same response, thus aiming for their preservation and restoration.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jude 1:22 employs Imperative Mood ("have compassion," "making a difference") to convey direct commands, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of these actions for believers. The verse functions as a Chiasm (A-B-B'-A') in its broader context, moving from the general command to have compassion (A) to the specific act of making a difference (B), implying that the difference made (B') is achieved through compassion (A'). It also uses Contrast by juxtaposing the earlier severe warnings against apostates with this call for mercy towards the vulnerable, highlighting the nuanced approach required within the Christian community. Furthermore, the phrase "making a difference" serves as a Metonymy or Synecdoche, where the act of distinguishing (the difference) stands for the broader process of discerning spiritual states and applying appropriate pastoral care.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jude 1:22 encapsulates a profound theological truth: that while God's justice is unwavering against unrepentant sin and rebellion, His character is also defined by immense mercy and a desire for restoration. This verse instructs believers to mirror this divine balance, demonstrating that true faith is not merely about doctrinal purity but also about compassionate engagement with those who are spiritually vulnerable. It teaches that discernment is not for the purpose of condemnation, but for the effective application of grace, aiming to rescue and preserve those who might yet be drawn back to the truth. This active compassion reflects the very heart of the Gospel, which offers salvation to all who turn to Christ, regardless of their past errors.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jude 1:22 offers timeless wisdom for navigating relationships within the church and beyond, especially in an age where information overload and diverse viewpoints can lead to spiritual confusion or wavering faith. It challenges believers to move beyond simplistic judgments and embrace a posture of active, discerning mercy. This means cultivating empathy for those who struggle, taking the time to understand their doubts, and responding not with immediate condemnation but with patient instruction and compassionate support. It calls us to be instruments of God's restorative grace, recognizing that our ultimate goal is not to win arguments but to win souls, preserving them from error and drawing them closer to Christ. This requires spiritual maturity, humility, and a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide our interactions, ensuring that our compassion is both genuine and effective in making a lasting spiritual difference.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "making a difference" truly mean in Jude 1:22?
Answer: The phrase "making a difference" (KJV) translates the Greek word diakrínō (G1252), which carries a range of meanings including "to judge," "to discern," "to distinguish," or "to separate." In the context of Jude 1:22, scholarly consensus leans heavily towards "making a distinction" or "discerning between." It means that believers are called to carefully assess the spiritual state of individuals who are influenced by false teaching or doubt. Not everyone who strays is in the same category; some might be genuinely struggling with doubts, others might be deceived, and still others might be actively rebellious. This discernment allows for a tailored, appropriate response, ensuring that compassion is applied wisely and effectively. It's about differentiating between those who might be rescued through mercy and those who might require a sterner warning or even separation, as hinted in the following verse, Jude 1:23.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jude 1:22, with its call to discerning compassion, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect example in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. Our Lord consistently demonstrated profound mercy towards the lost, the struggling, and the marginalized, embodying the very compassion Jude commands. He "came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" Matthew 9:13. Yet, His compassion was always coupled with perfect discernment. He distinguished between those who genuinely sought truth (like Nicodemus in John 3) and those who were hardened in their unbelief or hypocrisy (like the Pharisees in Matthew 23). Jesus's approach was never one-size-fits-all; He knew the hearts of men John 2:24-25. His ultimate act of compassion, the cross, was for those "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8. Therefore, in extending compassionate discernment, believers are not merely following an ethical guideline but are participating in the ongoing redemptive work of Christ, seeking to rescue souls from the brink, just as He did and continues to do through His Spirit.