Defense Against False Teachers

17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save [c]with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. (Jude 1:17-23)

Be Aware of the Admonitions of Apostles, 17-18a

Although Jude has been using some very harsh rhetoric to describe the nature, motives, and punishment of false teachers, he speaks kindly to his dear friends in Christ at this point: “but you, beloved.” With the use of the word “but” he is moving on to the next point of his letter. Now Jude wants the saints to learn steps to defend themselves against the false teachers and their errors. He does not call for a passive, hold your ground defense but a proactive stance. First, they need to “remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles.” Jude does not include himself as one of them. This indicates that some of these brethren had heard the warning from the lips of the apostles or at least were able to read some of their inspired writings on the subject. Forgetfulness of the apostles’ doctrine is one of the leading factors why so many brethren fall for false doctrines. Satan began tempting Eve by distracting and confusing her memory as to what God had really said. Always be mindful that the ultimate test of a teacher is the inspired words of the apostles and prophets.

The apostles had warned “mockers” would come. The same term is used in 2 Peter 3:3. These ridicule the Truth and despise those who follow it. They were to come in the “last days.” These days occurred from the time of Pentecost when the saints first were to “continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42) to the time when Christ comes again to reward the faithful and punish the false teachers and their followers.

Mind The Motives of the Mockers, 18b,19

The motives of these “mockers” are described next. First, they mock because they desire to “walk according to their own ungodly lusts.” The commandments of God have a way of getting in the way of the inappropriate, misguided, and out of control appetites of these men. Second, they mock and lust according to the desires of the flesh, because they are not godly or spiritually minded. Instead, they are carnal-minded. See Paul’s use of the term in 1 Corinthians 2:14-16. They are “sensual persons” on the level of brute beasts who only know how to live by fleshly instincts. Next, they have a desire to “cause divisions.” False teachers know the value of “divide and conquer.” These false shepherds love to enter God’s flock and separate the weak and vulnerable sheep away from the faithful. Finally, they are accused of “not having the Spirit.” Although the New King James capitalized the word “Spirit,” nonetheless in this context it most likely is not pointing to the Holy Spirit. Even so, false teachers do not follow the inspired words of the Holy Spirit or live according to the fruit of the Spirit. “Spirit” is used here in contrast to “sensual.” These mockers do not have a spiritual bone in their body. In this way they are truly like animals. They may be alive physically, but there is no spiritual life in them.

Strengthen Your Souls in the Savior, 20-21

Again, Jude introduces his next list of defenses against the “mockers” by reminding them they are the “beloved.” A list of four things are imperative safeguards if the saints are to strengthen their souls against the false teachers’ assaults upon their common salvation.

• First, they are to build themselves “up on your most holy faith.” Faith is not their personal belief in the truth but the faith objectively – the teachings of the inspired apostles and prophets. “Subjective faith depends on objective revelation of truth” (Weirsbe 55). Only inspired doctrines are “holy” or pure. They are free from all the man-made contaminants that defile the Truth and render it inert. How do they build themselves up? “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).
• Next, they must be continuously “praying in the Holy Spirit.” Not a reference to speaking in tongues, but praying according to the motives and manner revealed by the Holy Spirit in the Faith. Perhaps, if refers to the assistance provided by the Holy Spirit when one prays. “The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26)
• The third way Jude tells them to strengthen themselves against false teaching is by keeping “yourselves in the love of God.” This requires obedience to God’s Word. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (Jn. 15:9,10). The language could be alluding to the love God has for them instead of their love for Him.
• Finally, they need to be “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” This requires them to welcome the Return of the Lord with an attitude of great expectation. Salvation is complete for the saints when the final act of mercy comes on Judgment Day when Christ rewards the faithful with eternal life in Heaven. The Christian’s day to day life is infused with a desire and expectation of Christ coming at any moment. Maranatha!

Saving the Souls of the Snared, 22-23

Now the advice for defending themselves against false teaching goes from self-defense for remaining faithful to reaching out to rescuing fellow-saints who have fallen victim to these mockers and dirty dreamers. Three groups of victims are mentioned and the faithful are told how to go about rescuing them. Jude again returns to his use of triads to make this point. However, the New King James Version does only shows two groups instead of three. For this section the English Standard Version will be used. It is perhaps the more accurate translation in this case. By dividing these victims of false teaching into three groups, Jude requires their careful distinction concerning the type of sinner who is being rescued and the exercise of proper discernment on the best way to save them. Treating others differently according to their knowledge, ability, and circumstances is not showing respect of persons, but demonstrating the loving-kindness. So long as it is done without favoritism or compromise of Truth.

• The first group are those “who doubt” (ESV). This would included the weak and novices of the church. These are often favorite targets of the false teachers. Instead of coming down hard on them and threatening them with immediate church discipline, a more compassionate approach is merited. Perhaps, a causal invitation to sit down and have a private Bible study would be in order.
• The second group are those who are in danger of losing their souls because they have chosen to accept the lies they have been told. “Save others by snatching them out of the fire” (ESV). Time is of the essence. It involves seizing them by force as if one is pulling a confused or stubborn soul out of a burning house. The angels grabbed the hands of Lot, his wife, and their two virgin daughters and led them out of Sodom putting them on the road to safety. Jude’s brother, James wrote, “my brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (Js. 5:19,20).
• The final group in this triad of sinners in need of rescue from false doctrines, requires the loving brother to make the attempt to rescue them “hating even the garment stained by the flesh” (ESV). The term for “garment” means the underwear worn under one’s main garment. In the Old Testament clothes suspected of harboring leprosy were to be burned by a priest lest others become contaminated. Sins committed by those influenced by false teachers who indulge in the lusts of the flesh contaminate them like filthy garments (Zech. 3:4). Literally, it means a garment “stained by bodily function” (MacArthur 204). The church at Sardis had those “who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy” (Rev. 3:4). All attempts at rescuing others in sin necessitate the use of extreme caution. Just as one tries to retrieve a drowning victim. If they are not careful the victim may pull the rescuer under with him and they both will drown. Paul warned, “brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).

– Daniel R. Vess