14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
- Jude 14-16
As Jude has sought to justify his warning to the churches about false teachers in their midst, he has alluded to numerous OT people and events (v. 5-7, 11) as well as to intertestimental Jewish literature (v. 9). Having pronounced a woe upon these teachers, he once again characterizes them using OT imagery (v. 11) and vivid descriptions (v. 12-13). In v. 14-17 he once again makes reference to an intertestimental Jewish text in order to affirm their coming judgment because of their ungodliness in both word and deed.
As he continues to explain why it is that he has pronounced a woe upon these people, he quotes verbatim from a writing known as 1 Enoch. This writing is part of what has become known as the pseudepigrapha. These were writings that are attributed to certain well-known figures who almost certainly were not the actual authors. In quoting this work, Jude is not implying that he believes these writings to be Scripture, but instead that what they convey is true. The NT contains other such examples, the most well-known of which is Paul’s quotation of pagan philosophers in Acts 17:28. Jude’s quotation of 1 Enoch 1:9 serves to emphasize his point that those who rebel against God will surely face the judgment of the Lord upon His return.
Given how Jude has already emphasized that Jesus is the instrument of God’s judgment, He is probably in view here, described as returning with “ten thousands of his holy ones.” Upon His return he will “execute judgment” and “convict” the ungodly of their sin. Both of these terms are intended to emphasize that these false teachers will be without excuse and will be forced to reckon with the righteous judgment upon them because of their words and deeds which evidence their “ungodliness.” This term in the Greek is asebēs, a word that conveys a lack of respect for deity and hallowed institutions which is displayed both in what a person says and does. The emphasis, however, is on the fact this ungodliness arises from a distorted view of God. These false teachers claim to know God, but their words and deeds evidence that they do not truly know Him because they are not like Him. In order to emphasize this point, Jude goes on to describe the actions of these false teachers.
The ungodliness of these false teachers manifests itself first in the the words they speak. They are described in v. 16 as “grumblers” and “malcontents,” terms which emphasize that they seem to be complaining about the results of their own sinful choices. They are also described as “loud-mouthed boasters,” conveying that they are prideful in spite of the negative results of what they claim to believe. It is not only the things they say, but also their actions which reveal their ungodliness. They follow their own sinful desires and they show favoritism in order to gain some kind of personal advantage. When taken together, these things all emphasize the selfishness that characterizes these people.
There are many people who claim to know and serve God, however, in the things they say and do they seek to fulfill their own selfish desires and to encourage others to do likewise. The only way to truly be godly, is to truly know God as He reveals Himself in His Word. More than that, however, in order to truly know God we must be made like Him. This is why the work of Christ was necessary. Apart from Him, there is no hope for sinful men and women who could never become like God on their own. Jesus was the only truly godly person, and His work on the cross makes it possible for sinners to be made holy as God Himself is holy. The work of His Spirit unites us with Him and then produces godliness in us as His very life is manifested through our words and deeds.
Join us this Sunday as we, the redeemed, gather to worship our Redeemer!
Soli Deo Gloria.
-Thomas