This brief letter is assigned to the Judas of Matt. xiii. 55, one of the brethren of Jesus, and of James, the author of the catholic epistle. It is a hotly debated question whether Peter’s second letter or Jude’s epistle is the earlier, and, consequently, which writer drew upon the other. It is quite evident, either that the one used the other’s epistle or that both drew from a common source. A satisfactory decision is impossible in the present state of the evidence. The matter which is common to
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the two epistles, besides various scattered resemblances, is prin- cipally in Jude 8-18; 2 Pet. 1-5; ii. 1-18 (see Ezra Abbot, Expositor, 2d series, iii., 139).
Besides the resemblance to Second Peter, the epistle is marked by its apocryphal references, especially to the Book of Enoch (see notes on 9,14). In style it is terse and picturesque. “Tt is Greek as learned by a foreigner, and partly from books, and it is mixed up with Hebrew phrases.” It contains at least fifteen words not found elsewhere in the New Testament. Dean Alford says: “It is an impassioned invective, in which the writer heaps epithet on epithet, and image on image, and re- turns again and again to the licentious apostates against whom he warns the church, as though all language were insufficient to give an adequate idea of their profligacy, and of his own abhor- rence of their perversion of the grace and doctrines of the Gospel.”
1. Peter (IIétpos). See on Matt. xvi. 18. As Paul in his letters does not call himself by his original name of Saul, so Peter calls himself, not Simon, but Peter, the name most sig- nificant and precious both to himself and to his readers, because bestowed by his Lord. In the opening of the second epistle he uses both names.
An apostle. Of all the catholic epistles, Peter’s alone puts forward his apostleship in the introduction. He is addressing churches with which he had no immediate connection, and which were distinctively Pauline. Hence he appeals to his apostle- ship in explanation of his writing to them, and as his warrant for taking Paul’s place.
To the strangers—elect (ver. 2, éxAextois taper bipors). The Reyv., properly, joins the two words, elect who are sojourners, instead of continuing elect with according to the foreknowledge, etc., as A. V.
Elect. Regarding all whom he addressed as subjects of sav- ing grace. The term corresponds to the Old-Testament title of Jehovah’s people: Isa. Ixv. 9, 15, 22; Ps. ev. 43. Compare Matt. xx. 16; xxii. 14; Rom. viii. 33.
Sojourners (srapemudjpous). Persons sojourning for a brief season in a foreign country. “Though applied primarily to
628 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. I.
Hebrews scattered throughout the world (Gen. xxiii. 45 Ps xxxix. 12), it has here a wider, spiritual sense, contemplating Christians as having their citizenship in heaven. Compare Heb. xi. 13. The preposition mapa, in composition, implies a sense of transitoriness, as of one who passes by to something beyond. :
Scattered (Siacmopas). Lit., of the dispersion ; from dua- ometpw, to scatter or spread abroad ; ome(po meaning, originally, to sow. The term was a familiar one for the whole body of Jews outside the Holy Land, scattered among the heathen.
9. According to (xara). In virtue of ; in accordance with.
Foreknowledge (péyvwow). Only here and Acts ii. 23, in Peter’s sermon at Pentecost. He is distinguishing there be- tween, foreknowledge and determinate counsel.
The Father. Implying that the relation contemplated by the divine foreknowledge is a new relation of sonship.
In sanctification (év ayacue). Compare 2 Thess. ii. 13. The spiritual state 7x which the being elected to salvation is realized. The word is peculiarly Pauline, occurring eight times in Paul’s epistles, and besides only here and Heb. xii. 14.
Unto obedience (e/s). Note the three prepositions: accerd- ing to (kata) the foreknowledge; im (€v) sanctification ; wnto (eis) obedience. The ground, sphere, and end of spiritual sanctification.