The Pulpit Commentary — Jude — Section 16

former term is the more goneral, and the spoken before of (i.e. by) the apostles of our latter the more epeciflo, expressing ono par- Lord Jesus Christ. The Revised Version tioula.r direction which the murmuring rightly restores the rendering "but ye, be- spirit t11kee, namely, that of discontent with loved," which the Authorized Version their oiroumstimoes (so Huther, etc.). The dropped. The older versions, Wickliffe, Tyn- cle.use, "walking e.fter their own !nets," dale, Cronmer, the Genevan, the Rbemish, then declnros the secret ea.use of their die- agree in introducing this emphatic "ye," contont, They made themselves, their own which sets the readers in sharpest contrast to notions of things, thoir own e.mbitious e.nd these" mnrmurers," a.nd gives greater point appetites, the one rule of their life. They to J ude's appeal. The teaching of the tuerefore juclged the lot which w11s e.seigned apostles on the subject in hand is referred to them by God unworthy of them e.nd re.iled a.s something by no means strange to them. o.ge.inst it. We mn.y ga.ther from the pamllel The terms would naturally suggest that the passage in 2 Peter tha.t they forswore in ree.ders bad been themselves hearers of the especie.l the rnstre.ints put upon them by o.postles. They are not decisive, however, the providence or by the gmce of God, and of the qnestion whether oral or written a.ssertcd 11, liberty which meant unbridled communications, direct or indirect instrnc- self-iudulgeuce, The e.rrogant selfishness tions, are in view. The indeterminate sense which refused to be fettered by Divine of the term "apostle," anrl the geneml lrlw naturally expressed itself e.lso in tenor of the reference, make it impossible to "great swelling words," in loud protesta- say that Jude ranks himself here among the tions, perhaps, the.t nothing should interfere twelve. The sentence would be more natural with their liberty. The phre.se (which in on the lips of one who was not himself the New Testament occw·s aga.in only in an apostle. How that they told you there 2 Pet. ii. 18) is the same e.s is rendered should be mookers in the Iaat time, who "speak nrn,rvellous things" in Daniel's should walk after their own llllgodly lusts. description of the king who "shall do The Revised Version is more literally tme to according to his will; and he shall exalt the original in giving this the direct form, himself and magnify himself above every how that they said, f,o you, In the la.t time god, and shall speak marvellous things there shall be mockers, etc. This does not against the God of gods," etc. (Dan. xi. 36, necessarily imply, however, tha.t written 3i). In the last clause we he.ve a phrase words are referred to, or tha.t a quotation similar to, but not quite the same as, the is being made. The tense of the verb, "said," one which usually expresses the idea of by which the words a.re introduced, points ho.ving respect of persons. The Authorized the other way. It means that they were Version, therefore, seems to do better the.n in the way of saying such things, a.nd makes the Revised Version here in adopting a it probable, therefore, that Jude refers t.o rendering which indicates that there is the substance of what tbe apostles were in some difference from the usual form. The the habit of saying o.bout the future in their point of this difference may be that Judo's ordinary preaching and teaching. Christ's phrase expresses not merely the partial and own prophecies on the subject of the enu unprincipled conduct which is one thing to (Mntt. x:xiv., xxv.) would form the text for the poor and another to the rich, but the such declamtions. We have examples of open and unconcea.led adulation with which these apostolic predictions in the ca.se of these men hung upon those to whom it Po.ul (Acts xx. 29; 2 Tim. iii. 1), in that might be of advantage to attach themselves. of John (1 J oho ii. 18), in that of Peter The proud l'epudio.tion of the submission (2 Pet. iii. 2, 3). The last resembles the which wo.s due to God and the Divine present po.ssage most closely, the same disposal of their lot was accompanied by a unusual word for "mockers," or "scoffers," cringing, unblushing submission of their being oommcn to both. The stress of the manhood to those ot' their fellow-men who eto.tewent is again on the sensual impiety had favours to bestow. Arrogance and of these men, as appears from the strong servility are near of kin. The boaster is and peculiar phrase with which tbe pre- half-brother to the parasite. diction closes, "wa.lking after their own Vere. 17, 18.-A direct appeal is now lusts of ungodliness" (Revised Version, introduced to the re11de1·s. It~ object is to mo.rgin). By "the lsst time" (with which save them from being disconoerted by the compare the expressions in 1 Pet. i. 5, 20 ; rise of these impious men or beguiled by 2 Pet. iii. 3; Heh. i. 1, etc.) is meant the their pretensions. They are reminded, time which closes the present order o( therefore, of apostolio words, by which from things, a.nd ushers in Christ's return. It the beginning they had been tnught ~o was a Hebrew idea. that time Wll.8 divided anticipate snob perils and to be on theu into two great periods-"this a.ge" and" the guard against them: But, beloved, remem- age to come," which were parted by the ber ye the words whioh were (or, have been) coming of MessiE1h. The " age to come.,''  H THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JUDE.