Jude 1:8-16

⁸ “Yet in the same way these people also, dreaming, defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak abusively of angelic majesties. ⁹ But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him an abusive judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” ¹⁰ But these people disparage all the things that they do not understand; and all the things that they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. ¹¹ Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have given themselves up to the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. ¹² These are the ones who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, like shepherds caring only for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; ¹³ wild waves of the sea, churning up their own shameful deeds like dirty foam; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever. ¹⁴ It was also about these people that Enoch, in. the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord has come with many thousands of His holy ones, ¹⁵ to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” ¹⁶ These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.”

Verse 8: Jude describes the behavior of ungodly people who rely on their dreams and visions to guide their actions. These individuals not only defile their own bodies but also reject authority and disrespect celestial beings. Our guidance comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word. We are called to honor and respect authority, both human and celestial, recognizing that God has established order and authority for our benefit (Romans 13:1-2).

Verse 9: Jude refers to an extrabiblical account of an incident involving the archangel Michael and the devil disputing over the body of Moses. Even in this confrontation, Michael did not take matters into his own hands but instead relied on the Lord to rebuke the devil.

Our battles are not fought in our own strength but in the power of God. We rely on the authority and victory of Jesus Christ over the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-12). We trust in the Lord to rebuke and overcome the forces of darkness.

Verse 10: Jude highlights the destructive nature of the ungodly people who slander and speak against things they do not understand. Their actions are driven by instinct, like irrational animals, and ultimately lead to their own destruction. We are called to walk in wisdom and understanding, guided by the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to speak words of life and edification, avoiding slander and judgment (Ephesians 4:29). We trust in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to lead us away from destructive behaviors.

Verse 11: Jude pronounces a woe upon the ungodly people, comparing their actions to those of Cain, Balaam, and Korah. These individuals pursued their own selfish desires, leading to their destruction. We are called to walk in the way of love and selflessness, following the example of Jesus (Ephesians 5:1-2). We trust in the grace of God which has changed our hearts and aligned our desires with God’s nature. Believers are built to live righteously and therefore have no compatibility with false teachers that encourage this type of behavior.

Verse 12: Jude describes the ungodly people as blemishes in the love feasts, participating in the community gatherings without any concern for their own actions. They are self-serving shepherds who only care about themselves. They are compared to clouds without rain, unable to provide nourishment, and like fruitless trees that are uprooted and devoid of life. We are called to be genuine and selfless in our interactions with others. We are encouraged to bear the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We rely on the Holy Spirit to produce these qualities in us, enabling us to be a blessing to others.

Verse 13: Jude further describes the ungodly people as wild waves of the sea, constantly stirring up turmoil and shame. They are like wandering stars, without a fixed course or purpose, and are destined for eternal darkness. We are called to be anchored in Christ, who is our firm foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). We trust in His guidance and direction, avoiding the instability and aimlessness of the world. We have the assurance of eternal life in Christ, free from the darkness and condemnation that awaits those who reject him.

Verse 14-16: Jude references the prophecy of Enoch, who spoke about the coming judgment of the ungodly. He emphasizes that the Lord will judge everyone and convict them of their ungodly acts and defiant words. Jude also describes the ungodly people as grumblers, faultfinders, driven by their own evil desires, and seeking personal gain through flattery. God’s judgment is based on His perfect justice and righteousness. We trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, who took upon himself the punishment for our sins. As believers, we can live out of who we are in Christ and experience profound joy and victory over sin.