Jude 17-23

“But you, dear friends – recall the predictions foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. For they said to you, “In the end time there will come scoffers, propelled by their own ungodly desires.” These people are divisive, worldly, devoid of the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, maintain yourselves in the love of God, while anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that brings eternal life. And have mercy on those who waver; save others by snatching them out of the fire; have mercy on others, coupled with a fear of God, hating even the clothes stained by the flesh.”

— ‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬-‭23‬‬

This is a fascinating little letter, primarily a warning about false teachers. It’s written at a time when false teachers began to spread through the church. Heresies began popping up, and leaders of the church had to rebuke them.

Jude and 2 Peter are remarkably similar in outline and even illustrations. One of my seminary study buddies did his dissertation on this, since many think that these two authors used each other as source material. (Like the Synoptic Gospels).

It’s amazing how much OT material is in Jude. Nearly every verse has an illustration of a villain from the OT: Cain, Balaam, Sodom and Gomorrah, etc. He uses them as warnings and comparisons of both the teaching and behavior of the false teachers. Like 1 John, it’s not always easy to describe what the teachers taught. It’s more helpful to describe their behavior and say, “That’s not of Jesus.” 

By the time you get to this section, Jude (who is Jesus’ half brother by the way), says “Here’s how we respond.” But you all should remember this was prophesied, even by Jesus. Scoffers or people who mock the faith would come in. (Another side note that it was happening in the 1st century. No need to exaggerate how terrible things are now.)

False teachers were divisive, had no Spirit, and worldly. Again, focusing on behavior and not really their teaching. The contrast would be the church would hopefully be unified, filled by the Spirit, and pure. Jude says this in the next verse, adding the qualifier, maintaining the love of God. That has always been a unique marker of the church.

V 23 is odd for a couple reasons. Some debate as to the structure, whether two or three clauses. It’s weird that “mercy” is in the first and third clauses. There are different responses to the target audience (mercy, snatching, mercy). This would require mass amounts of discernment. And without much explanation, it’s difficult to really know what Jude is talking about. These are kernel statements that could really use another sentence. If he’s still talking about the false teachers, his tone has changed dramatically.

I haven’t read sufficient amount of scholars or commentaries on Jude to have a settled understanding. I’m assuming he’s talking about those who seem to be following the teachers.

Show mercy to those who waver: Not showing harsh judgment, knowing that we all can be deceived at any moment.

Snatch some from fire: Predominant view is this is referencing eternal damnation. There are verses in Zechariah and Amos that use Israel as a branch being rescued from fire, so this could be Jude’s reference. Snatching is an abrupt action of seizing/somewhat forceful, but it’s not really clear how we do this (or who exactly we are seizing). I’m sure there are other views for “fire,” whether temptations, sin,—if quoting OT, could be destruction of Jerusalem as metaphor??. The point is to rescue a certain group of people before destruction overcomes them. The who and the how remain unclear.

Show mercy to others with fear of God: Again, unclear if this is a distinct group. Main point here is to incorporate fear of God with response. NET makes good point that both mercy and fear of God are necessary for a balanced approach. 

Hating their clothes? Apparently, even the items closely associated with these teachers/sinners were stained with sin. “Flesh” is a debated term, but NET takes it as sin nature. Since these teachers ran towards immorality, it could be referencing physical body. Even if Jude was talking about the place where immorality occurs (body), it is still condemning the sin nature in the body, not the body itself. It will be redeemed.

We are not trying to please people (especially false teachers). We are to be discerning, though. We can be kind and loving while encouraging disciples in the one faith.