“These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.” (Jude 16 (ESV)
Jude has spent a considerable amount of time, and so have we, to understand the character and behavior of apostates. In today’s text. Jude focused his attention on the prideful speech of false teachers. It’s not so much what apostates do that Jude has in mind, but rather what they are, which is displayed by what they do. Apostates are grumblers, malcontents, and loud-mouth boasters.
Grumblers (γογγυσταί; gongystai) and malcontents (μεμψίμοιροι; mempsimoiroi) are complainers. They constantly find fault with other people, and especially other believers in Christ. These individuals complain about other’s faults, but see no flaws in themselves.
I remember an individual who once belonged to the church where I serve as an elder. She left the church and began attending another. Since then, she has left the second church and now attends a different one. In each case, she found something, or someone, to complain about, which prompted her to leave to find an alternative congregation. I wonder how long it will be before she leaves her current church for still another. It is a sad situation, but all too true for many who display the character and behavior of apostates.
Apostates travel to other churches because they are presently, personally and collectively following (πορευόμενοι; poreuomenoi) their own lusts and desires (ἐπιθυμίας; epithymias). The move from one place, or church, to another. They never remain in one location for long.
False teachers are also loud-mouthed boasters (ὑπέρογκα; hyperonka). They are individuals who are bombastic, pompous, haughty and boastful. They are braggards. They are puffed up and swollen with a personal sense of their own importance (2 Peter 2:18).
“Ancient moralists repeatedly condemned flattery and advocated forthright speech; politicians commonly used flattery to win people over with speeches, and flattery was a necessity for subordinates of many emperors to survive. Jude had already addressed both their lusts (vv. 6–8b) and arrogant speech (vv. 8c–10),” explains commentator Craig Keener.
Apostates are individuals “showing favoritism to gain advantage.” The phrase “showing favoritism” is not only a noun (πρόσωπα; prosopa), but Jude also used the verb form (θαυμάζοντες; thaumazontes). Apostates are flatterers who flatter to gain an advantage (ὠφελείας; opheleias), benefit or profit.
“These godless men are showing partiality to gain profits for themselves. The Greek has the expression to admire faces; it is best translated as “flatter.” This expression is actually a Hebrew idiom translated into Greek; it conveys the meaning to show partiality for the sake of material benefits. But in the Old Testament God instructed the Israelites, “Do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly” (Lev. 19:15; also compare Deut. 16:19; James 2:1–9). The apostates speak arrogant words to God and flattering words to the rich. With their arrogance they flout God’s honor and with their flattery they deceive their fellow men,” states Dr. Simon J. Kistemaker.
“In today’s passage, Jude refers to some of the other doctrines practiced and preached by the false teachers, which doctrines we must still oppose today. We have already spoken of the “sinful desires” evident in the wanton immorality of these teachers. But Jude also speaks of these men as being “grumblers” and “malcontents,” referring not to their disparaging of church authority (though they did this) but to their antinomian denial of God’s law. The sin of loud-mouthed boasting is similar; these teachers spoke arrogantly about God, just as their lifestyles revealed their lack of true faith,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“Showing favoritism to gain advantage” is likely a reference to their greed. These teachers probably exploited the poor or favored the rich in order to gain influence. Such favoritism is blatantly anti-Christian (James 2:1–13), and thus Jude condemns it.”
Although you may not be an apostate, you might have some of the same character traits. Jude said they are murmurers and complainers (vs. 16). Complaining is easy to do; about other people and about God. What about following your desires and not discerning whether they are glorifying God or not? What about flattery? You may say things in order to get what you want. For example, you may pile on the charm when you want something from your parents, or your spouse, or your boss and once you get what you want, you once again become a grumbler.
This week, when you are faced with obstacles or the bad attitudes of those at work or at school, or at home, refuse to complain and murmur. Address the situation, and the person, and commit to not complain to someone else about the individual in question. How should believers in Christ speak?
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14–15 (ESV)
Does this mean I cannot complain, grumble and murmur about the weather? Just asking. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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