Condemnation of False Teachers in Jude 4 and Believer's Forgiveness
Jude 1:4 warns against "certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into indecency, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ" [1]. This verse serves as a foundational statement in Jude's epistle, explaining the urgent need for believers to contend for the faith [5].
The epistle of Jude is a short, urgent letter addressed to believers, urging them to stand firm against false teachers who had infiltrated the Christian community [9]. The author, Jude, identifies himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, suggesting he is Jude, the brother of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels [1]. The letter was likely written to a general audience of Jewish Christians, given its numerous Old Testament allusions and references to Jewish traditions. The historical context is one of emerging doctrinal threats, where individuals were subtly introducing corrupting influences into the church [5, 8].
The "certain men" mentioned in Jude 1:4 are described as having "crept in unawares," indicating a stealthy and unauthorized entry into the Christian fellowship [5, 8]. These individuals are characterized as "ungodly men" who twist God's grace into a license for immorality, or "indecency" [1]. This perversion of grace suggests they might have advocated for a form of antinomianism, believing that since salvation is by grace, moral laws no longer apply to them. This interpretation of grace is a distortion, as true grace leads to holiness, not license for sin [1].
A critical aspect of their error is their "denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ" [1]. This denial could manifest in various ways, including doctrinal rejection of Christ's divinity or humanity, or practical denial through their ungodly behavior [2]. John Gill suggests that the false teachers were already present, necessitating immediate vigilance from the saints [5]. The denial of Christ is a characteristic of false teachers and is considered the spirit of antichrist [2]. Such denial leads to destruction [2].
The phrase "long ago written about for this condemnation" indicates that their judgment was predetermined and prophesied [1]. This foretelling is seen in prophecies from Peter (2 Peter 2:1) and Paul (1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:1), and implicitly in the judgments against apostate angels, disobedient Israelites, Sodom and Gomorrah, Balaam, and Korah, which serve as examples [8]. Matthew Henry notes that while false teachers may prosper for a time, their judgment is certain and has been determined by God [12].
The condemnation of these false teachers is not presented as a matter of human opinion but as a divine decree. Their actions, particularly turning grace into indecency and denying Christ, are seen as a forsaking of God and His commandments [3]. The epistle of Jude, while condemning these false teachers, also encourages believers to contend for the faith and to show mercy to those who might be going astray under their influence, albeit with caution [4, 9].
The concept of denying Christ is a recurring theme in biblical warnings against false doctrine. Adam Clarke, commenting on 1 John 4:15, emphasizes that confessing Christ involves not only acknowledging the reality of the incarnation but also believing in Him for pardoning mercy and the indwelling Spirit [10]. The false teachers in Jude's time likely denied aspects of Christ's person or work, which undermined the very foundation of Christian faith and practice [1].
The condemnation described in Jude 1:4 is tied to the broader theme of divine judgment against ungodliness. John Gill notes that judgment will be executed upon all, both righteous and wicked, with a definitive sentence passed on each [7]. The false teachers, by denying Christ and perverting grace, place themselves under this condemnation, rejecting the very forgiveness that Christ offers [6]. Charles Hodge emphasizes that justification before God comes solely through what Christ is and has done, not through human merit or works [11]. By denying Christ, these false teachers reject the means of their own salvation.
Sources
- Jude “For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into indecency, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ. -- Jude 1:4”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Denial of Christ — In doctrine -- Mr 8:38; 2Ti 1:8. In practice -- Php 3:18,10; Tit 1:16. A characteristic of false teachers -- 2Pe 2:1; Jude 1:4. Is the spirit of Antichrist -- 1Jo 2:22,23; 4:3. Christ will deny those guilty of -- Mt 10:33; 2Ti 2:12. Leads to destruction -- 2Pe 2:1; Jude 1:4,15. Exemplified Peter. -- Mt 26:69-75. The Jews. -- Joh 18:40; Ac 3:13,14.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Forsaking God — Idolaters guilty of -- 1Sa 8:8; 1Ki 11:33. The wicked guilty of -- De 28:20. Backsliders guilty of -- Jer 15:6. Is forsaking His house. -- 2Ch 29:6. His covenant. -- De 29:25; 1Ki 19:10; Jer 22:9; Da 11:30. His commandments. -- Ezr 9:10. The right way. -- 2Pe 2:15. Trusting in man is -- Jer 17:5. Leads men to follow their own devices -- Jer 2:13. Prosperity tempts to -- De 31:20; 32:15. Wickedness of -- Jer 2:13; 5:7. Unreasonableness and ingratitude of -- Jer 2:5,6. Brings confusion -- Jer 17:13. Followed by remorse -- Eze 6:9. Brings down his wrath ”
- Jude (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jude 1:23: 1:23 Rescue others: Some believers were so open to the false teachers that they were in imminent danger of condemnation. • Show mercy to still others: The third group probably consists of the false teachers themselves or those who had subscribed to the false teachers’ program. Showing mercy might have meant praying for them (cp. Matt 5:44). • Believers need to exercise great caution when showing mercy to false teachers and those who have fallen into their sinful ways, because their sins can be enticing. Cp. Zech 3:1-4; Rev 3:4.”
- Jude (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jude 1:4: For there are certain men crept in unawares,.... These words contain a reason why the doctrine of faith should be contended for, because of false teachers, who are described as being then upon the spot; the Apostles Peter and Paul had foretold that they would come, but Jude here speaks of them as in being; wherefore present rigour and vigilance were necessary to be used: their names are not mentioned, nor their number, only that there were "certain", or "some men"; which is done to stir up the saints to self-examination, whether they were in the faith; to diligence, in f”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: means of satisfactions, have no share in this free pardon, and while they address God in this petition, do nothing more than subscribe their own accusation, and seal their condemnation by their own testimony. For they confess that they are debtors, unless they are discharged by means of forgiveness. This forgiveness, however, they do not receive, but rather reject, when they obtrude their merits and satisfactions upon God, since by so doing they do not implore his mercy, but appeal to his justice. Let those, again, who dream of a p”
- Jude (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jude 1:15: To execute judgment upon all,.... Quick and dead, small and great, high and low, rich and poor, good and bad, righteous and wicked, sheep and goats; to pass the definitive sentence on each, that of absolution, life, and happiness, on his own people, and that of condemnation, death, and misery, on the wicked; which will be done in the most strict and righteous manner: and to convince all that are ungodly among them; those who are without God, the fear of him love to him, or faith in him; who have lived without the worship of him, or in a false worship; and particularly”
- Jude (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jude 1:4: certain men--implying disparagement. crept in unawares--stealthily and unlawfully. See on Pe2 2:1, "privily shall bring in damnable heresies." before . . . ordained--Greek, "forewritten," namely, in Peter's prophecy Jde 1:17-18; and in Paul's before that, Ti1 4:1; Ti2 3:1; and by implication in the judgments which overtook the apostate angels. The disobedient Israelites, Sodom and Gomorrah, Balaam and Core, and which are written "for an example" (Jde 1:7, and Jde 1:5-6, Jde 1:11). God's eternal character as the Punisher of sin, as set forth in Scriptu”
- Jude (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jude 1:17: 1:17 completely destroyed: See Lev 27:28-29. • Hormah: See study note on Num 21:2-3. 1:17-23 After condemning the false teachers, Jude again encourages his readers directly (see 1:3-4). They had been warned by the apostles about false teaching (1:17-19). They should encourage each other in the faith (1:20-21) and reach out to those who might be going astray through the false teachers’ influence (1:22-23). 1:17 what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted: Such predictions are in Acts 20:29-30; 1 Tim 4:1-3; 2 Tim 3:1-5.”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 4:15: Whosoever shall confess - Much stress is laid on this confession, because the false teachers denied the reality of the incarnation; but this confession implied also such a belief in Christ as put them in possession of his pardoning mercy and indwelling Spirit.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 23: that it should not only be practically held by the people, but that it should also be clearly presented and maintained by the clergy. It is not what we do or are, but solely what Christ is and has done that can avail for our justification before the bar of God. Other Passages teaching the same Doctrine. 4. This doctrine of the imputation of the righteousness of Christ; or, in other words, that his righteousness is the judicial ground of the believer’s justification, is not only formally and argumentatively presented as in the passages cit”
- 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 2:3: Men are apt to think that a reprieve is the forerunner of a pardon, and that if judgment be not speedily executed it is, or will be, certainly reversed. But the apostle tells us that how successful and prosperous soever false teachers may be, and that for a time, yet their judgment lingereth not. God has determined long ago how he will deal with them. Such unbelievers, who endeavour to turn others from the faith, are condemned already, and the wrath of God abideth on them. The righteous Judge will speedily take vengeance; the day of their calamity is at hand, and ”