“It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.” (Jude 19 (ESV)
“In virtually every era of church history there have been people in the church who are convinced that the best way to win the world is by catering to worldly tastes. Such an approach has always been to the detriment of the gospel message. The church has only made any significant impact on the world when the people of God have stood firm, refused to compromise, and boldly proclaimed the truth despite the world’s hostility,” cautions Dr. John MacArthur.
“When Christians have shrunk away from the task of confronting popular worldly delusions with unpopular biblical truths, the church has invariably lost influence and impotently blended into the world. Both Scripture and history attest to that fact.”
Apostates, defectors from the biblical gospel, are individuals who create conflict. It is what they love to do. They hate the biblical gospel and seek to influence those within the church to have the same perspective. They silently arrive, they sow and reap discord, and then they leave for another local church where the cycle is repeated.
Jude recognized this pattern in the early church. Apostates cause divisions (ἀποδιορίζοντες; apodiorizontes), which means to presently, actively, and collectively instigate divisions among people. They fracture the church, rather than unite it. They are not peacemakers. They disobey the Scriptures.
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:1–6 (ESV)
“So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1–4 (ESV)
Apostates are also worldly people (ψυχικοί; psychikoi). This means to be unspiritual and unconverted. They embody the Apostle Paul’s teaching in I Corinthians 2:14.
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)
“Apostate teachers advertise themselves as having the highest spiritual knowledge, but they are attracted to the most debased levels of life. They are soulish, not spiritual,” states Dr. MacArthur.
13 “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:13–18 (ESV)
Jude then said apostates are devoid of the Spirit (ἔχοντες; echontes). This refers to a present, active and collective disconnection with and from God. False teachers do not possess the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they are unconverted.
8 “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” (Romans 8:8–9 (ESV)
19”Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV)
“Some scholars assert that Jude employs key words in Greek that were important within the heretical movement called Gnosticism. The Gnostics of the second century taught that a division existed between the physical and the spiritual realm. The physical was the lower realm and the spiritual the higher. In this higher realm were two categories of people, the psychic and the spiritual. Christians belonged to the psychic class, but Gnostics to the spiritual category. The Gnostics were spirit-filled people who, free from moral obligations, assumed a position far superior to that of the psychic Christians,” explains Dr. Simon J. Kistemaker.
“However, the objection to this explanation is that although we know these key words were employed in second-century Gnostic teaching, we have no evidence that Gnosticism was an issue one hundred years earlier when Jude wrote his epistle. Perhaps we can say that the heretics in Jude’s day were forerunners of the movement which in the second century became known as Gnosticism. “It is safer to interpret Jude’s words in their own context.”
“Jude characterizes the heretics as persons who created divisions in the church. Apparently, they claimed to have the Spirit and to be morally free in respect to their behavior. Most likely they indicated that the Christians lacked this gift. Jude, however, turns the matter around and states that the heretics “follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” These people are apostates. In a few words Jude has put the godless men in their place. They have no part in the church, for they lack the Spirit of God,” concludes Dr. Kistemaker.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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