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Book of Jude commenter David F. Payne explains that there is a traditional view, widely held, that Jude was the brother of James, both sons of Mary and Joseph, therefore half-brother of Jesus Christ. Payne (1986: 1590).
Many scholars, reason the text was written in the 60s or 70s AD.
Payne states 70s to 80s AD. Payne (1986: 1590). Payne reasons that the free use of non-canonical text (such as Enoch) points to a first-century date. Payne (1986: 1590).
The text was designed to counter particular heretical theologies and philosophical views that arose in the Church. Payne (1986: 1590). Antinomianism was one manifestation and was connected to Gnostic thought. Matter was viewed as evil and in contrast, all spiritual was considered good. Payne (1986: 1590). Payne states that this led to cultivated spiritual lives and misdeeds of the physical nature. Payne (1986: 1590).
Gnosticism describes an early religious movement that placed special emphasis upon knowledge (Greek: gnosis) of God and the nature and eventual destiny of humanity. Knowledge was needed to liberate the soul from cosmic forces. Wilson (1999: 226).
Jude (New American Standard Bible)
4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand [d]marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Payne notes these are pseudo-Christians that deny the Lord Jesus Christ. I agree, and have always held the view since reviewing the text, but it was strengthened by reading the text over and through several audio listens.
This is in contrast to other texts in the New Testament discussed on my blogs which from a Biblical and Reformed perspective may not so much be discussing lack of belief, but lack of repentance and works in salvation, such as 1 Corinthians 3, Hebrews 6, James 2, and 2 Peter 3.
Jude is more similar in context to 2 Peter 2, and Payne makes this connection as well in a discussion of false prophets/pseudo believers. Payne (1986: 1590).
Jude (Continued)
5 Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that [e]the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, [f]subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after [g]strange flesh, are exhibited as an [h]example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. 8 Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile [i]angelic majesties. 9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are [j]destroyed. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay [k]they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. 12 These are the men who are [l]hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, [m]doubly dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own [n]shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the [o]black darkness has been reserved forever. 14 It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with [p]many thousands of His holy ones, 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” 16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; [q]they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.
Groups outlined had previously had favour with God and no longer did because of presuming what was not theirs, lack of faith, immorality. These include those the Lord brought out of Egypt that did not believe and were destroyed. The angels that did not believe, these apparently are fallen angels. and then Jude mentions Sodom and Gomorrah as does 2 Peter.
Everlasting hell the end existence for such as verse seven alludes.
Verse six is quite interesting. Payne explains that the Greek word 'positions' can be translated 'dominion' and so domain would convey the idea of position and status. Payne (1986: 1590).
Bauer writes that the angels, fallen angels in context abandoned their own dwelling/habitation (oikhthrion ). Bauer (1979: 557).
Now they are kept under eternal (everlasting) bonds (desmoiV). Bauer states in the context of Jude 6 it relates to bonds or fetters. Bauer (1979: 176). I agree with Erickson's theological critique that although fallen angels are cast into 'gloom' (zofon) Erickson (1994: 447), that they still have freedom to do evil works. In other words, he mentions the theory that there are two classes of demons, some chained up and some not, but it seems more likely that all demonic beings have been cast out of heaven and have access to the earthly realm and a realm of darkness.
It is the same realm as 'Hades' in Luke 16 where unbelieving human beings reside? That is a subject for speculation, but all outside of Christ, human and angelic, ultimately reside in the metaphorically, symbolically described lake of fire in Revelation 20.
Byzantine Majority Verse 6
aggelouV te touV mh thrhsantaV thn eautwn archn alla apolipontaV to idion oikhthrion eiV krisin megalhV hmeraV desmoiV aidioiV upo zofon tethrhken
BAUER, WALTER. (1979) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated by Eric H. Wahlstrom, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.
DAVIES, BRIAN (1999) ‘Antinomianism’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
MARSHALL, ALFRED (1975)(1996) The Interlinear KJV-NIV, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
PAYNE. DAVID F.(1986) Jude, in F.F. Bruce, (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/Zondervan.
STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Burlington, Welch Publishing Company.
WILSON, R. MCL (1999) ‘Gnosticism’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.
