“For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 4 (ESV)
Jude’s exhortation to the church to contend for the truth (vs. 3) is coupled with becoming aware of individuals within the church who oppose the truth. The struggle for biblical truth was/is not just a philosophical concept but a practical reality. The church not only battles pernicious lies from the outside worldly culture (Eph. 2:1-3; I John 2:15-17), but also battles lies within the confines of the local church. Paul and Peter cautioned church leaders this struggle was coming (Acts 20:17-35; 2 Peter 2:1-3). Jude informed church leaders this struggle had arrived.
Jude stated, “Certain people have crept in unnoticed.” Particular individuals have become part of the church. They “crept in unnoticed” (παρεισέδυσαν; pareisedysan). This occurred at a particular point in time in the past. They did so actively. They did so stealthily and secretly.
“These were infiltrating, false teachers pretending to be true, who on the surface looked like the real thing, but whose intentions were to lead God’s people astray (cf. Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:29; Gal. 2:4–5; 1 Tim. 4:1–2; 2 Pet. 2:1, 20; 1 John 2:18–23). These apostates were Satan’s counterfeits, most likely posing as itinerant teachers (cf. 2 Cor. 11:13–15; 2 Pet. 2:1–2; 2 John 7–11). Their stealth made them dangerous,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
Every church leader and church member must be on their guard against false teachers. They appear to be genuine believers in Christ, but inwardly they are false shepherds (Matt. 7:15). They can be identified by the lack of godly fruit in their lives (Matt. 7:16). They manifest wickedness because this is what they are inwardly (2 Peter 2:12-22).
However, the Lord is keenly aware of them. He has already condemned these false teachers. “Who long ago were designated for this condemnation.” The phrase “long ago” (πάλαι; palai) refers to the distant past. In the past, the Lord “designated” (προγεγραμμένοι; progegrammenoi) or proclaimed them to be “condemned” (κρίμα; krima) or judged.
“Apostasy and apostates in general were written about and condemned many centuries before, such as illustrated in Jude 5–7 and spoken of as Enoch did in vv. 14–16. Cf. Isa. 8:19–21; 47:9–15; Hos. 9:9; Zeph. 3:1–8. Their doom was “pre-written” in Scripture as a warning to all who would come later. Jesus had warned about them in Matt. 7:15–20 (cf. Acts 20:29). The most recent warning had been 2 Pet. 2:3, 17; 3:7. This condemnation refers to the judgment spoken of by others “long ago.” Jude’s present exposé of apostates placed them in the path of the very judgment of God, written of previously,” continues Dr. MacArthur.
Jude describes them in his familiar triad writing style. These apostates or defectors of the true faith.
First, they were “ungodly people” (ἀσεβεῖς; asebeis). They were impious, wicked, profane and without reverence for the one, true God (cf. Rom. 4:5; 5:6, 1 Tim. 1:9, 1 Peter 4:18, 2 Peter 2:5, 6; 3:7).
Second, they “pervert the grace of our God into sensuality.” To pervert (μετατιθέντες; metatithentes) is a present, active participle. These individuals presently and actively imposed a change or a transferal of God’s grace (χάριτα; charita), or His unmerited favor towards sinners, into sensuality (ἀσέλγειαν; aselgeian). This refers to licentiousness or excessive sin and rebellion. It is unrestrained vice or gross immorality.
Third, they “deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” The reject the exclusivity of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.
“Two Greek words for Jesus are used here. The apostates disowned Christ as sovereign Lord (despotes) and disdained any recognition of Christ as honorable Lord (kurios) by their wicked behavior. The better NT manuscripts omit God in the text, placing the emphasis clearly on one person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and emphasizing that apostates deny him. Cf. Matt. 10:33; 2 Tim. 2:12; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:22–23. It is always true of apostates, false teachers, and false religions that they pervert what Scripture declares is true about the Lord Jesus Christ,” concludes Dr. MacArthur.
“We make two observations: Jude does not indicate whether these godless men at one time belonged to the Christian community; and these infiltrators are dishonest in their relations with the believers, for they furtively slip into the church,” states Dr. Simon Kistemaker.
“By their secrecy, they reveal their motives. Probably, they are itinerant teachers who were bent on destroying the church of Jesus Christ. The New Testament presents numerous warnings to the believers to avoid strange teachings from false teachers (cf. Phil. 3:2; Col. 2:8; 2 Tim. 3:6; I John 3:7; 4:1; 3 John 7).”
In vs. 4. Jude explains what these apostate and false teachers do. In the remainder of the epistle, he explains what these individuals are.
May we consistently be aware of false teachers. How they live and behave reveals what they believe and teach. May the Lord’s grace and truth be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 