The Pulpit Commentary — Jude — Section 35

Yet (1) those who 11re in the fire may be plucked out. (2) The merriment of a sirJner is madness. 'l'he fire of judgment is burning under his feet, a.nd he knows it not. III. TnE MOBT HOPELEBB AND CORRUPT CLASS. 'l'hose to be saved by appeals to their fenr. "And on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." 1. Such Binners need to be confronted with the terrors of the Law. A holy rigour is needful for corrupt and proud transgressors. None but fools hate reproof. 2. TIie saints ought, in dealing with them, to watch lest they should reuive contami- nation. (1) Sinners are very defiling in all the accessories of their life. (2) Even the saints run risks of defilement. (3) 1'hey must seek to avoid even the appearance of evil. 'fhey should pray to be "kept from the evil." They must seek to purge them- selves from the vessels of dishonour (2 Tim. ii. 21).-'l'. C. Vers. 24, 25.-The doxology. I. THE PERSON TO WHOM PRAISE IS ASCRIBED. "Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord." 1. It is God our Savioor presented under a double aspect. (1) As he who alone can keep us from stumbling or falling. The allusion is appro- priate to an Epistle so full of warnings and denunciations and exhortations, and which began with an address to saints as those "preserved for Christ Jesus." We stand by faith, and we can only stand strong" in the Lord, and in the power of his might." "He that ha.th begun a good work in us will perform it till the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. i. 6). (2) As he who will present us in final glory. (a) "Without blemish;" for the Church will then be" without spot, or wriokle, or any such thing." (b) "Jn exceeding joy," where there is fulness of joy; for he "who is self-sufficient, all-sufficient, must needs be soul-sufficient." 2. The final glory comes through Jesus Christ. The salva- tion, in its beginning, progress, and end, is the Lord's. II. THE PRAISE ASCRIBED TO Goo. "Be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore. Amen." These men who despised dominion, a.na.spoke evil of dignities, are told that all dominion and glory belonged to God ages before they were born, as they do still in the ages of time, and will do for ever through eternity. Mark the threefold phrase for "eternity," as if to carry the threefold idea. of everything out to the very end.-T. C. Vere. 1-4.-0hristian co-operation desired in the defence of the gospel. The believers to whom Jude wrote were "called" by an external and spiritual power into the fellowship of the Church; had been "preserved" from the gross evils and corrup- tions which sprang up in those early days, and "sanctified by God the Father," and made partakers of his holiness. As he claims their service in the preservation of the faith he implores "mercy " that they may be enabled to help, "peace" of mind amid the earnestness of their contention for the truth, and "love" that the thought of the Divine love to them might influence them to speak the "truth in love" to others. I. THE SPIRITUAL ESTIMATE OF THE WORK OF SALVATION. Natural men pass it by with indifference; and, if they regard it, object to its claims, its doctrines, and its pursuits. Jude, Ja.mes, and those who were "called," knew that it was the highest and most precious gift of God. It was his Divine idea; "for of him are all things." It was the result of a marvellous preparation, and was accomplished by the holy sacri- fice of our Lord on "the accursed tree." lt is applied by the eternal Spirit, and secures forgiveness, imparts power to appropriate good from all agencies, objects, and conditions; and prepares for eternal glory. It saves from the waste of our life, our labour, own influence, and property; and makes the future one of gracious recompense and unfailing reward. Many things in the world engage the affections and tax the energies of mankind, among which a.re to be found the allurements of pleasure, the attractions of power, and the possession of gold ; but these, when viewed in the clear a.ud heavenly light of Divine instruction, appear as the light dust of tha balance, and unworthy of our highest love and our most ardent pursuit. Whatever difference may be found in place of abode, and diversity of forms of worship, an exalted estimate oC the gospel is the broad and universal mark of the Church of Christ. As believers understand the worth of the" faith once delivered to the saints," they are required to watch over its purity, and by their steady profession of obedience to the Saviour, by JUDE, D  nm GENERAL EPISTLE OF JUDE. [l-25,