Jude 1:18
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when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
mockers--In the parallel, Pe2 3:3, the same Greek is translated, "scoffers." The word is found nowhere else in the New Testament. How ALFORD can deny that Pe2 3:2-3 is referred to (at least in part), I cannot imagine, seeing that Jude quotes the very words of Peter as the words which the apostles used to speak to his (Jude's) readers. walk after their own ungodly lusts--literally, "after (according to) their own lusts of ungodliness."
Open source ↗We have here, I. An account of the penman of this epistle, a character of the church, the blessings and privileges of that happy society (Jde 1:1, Jde 1:2). II. The occasion of writing this epistle (Jde 1:3). III. A character of evil and perverse men, who had already sprung up in that infant state of the church, and would be succeeded by others of the like evil spirit and temper in after-times (Jde 1:4). IV. A caution against hearkening to and following after such, from the severity of God towards the unbelieving murmuring Israelites at their coming out of Egypt, the angels that fell, the sin and punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Jde 1:5-7). V. To these the apostle likens the seducers against whom he was warning them, and describes them at large, (Jde 1:8-10, inclusive). VI. Then (as specially suitable to his argument) he cites an ancient prophecy of Enoch foretelling and describing the future judgment (Jde 1:14, Jde 1:15). VII. He enlarges on the seducers' character, and guards against the offence which honest minds might be apt to take at the so early permission of such things, by showing that it was foretold long before that so it must be (Jde 1:16-19). VIII. Exhorts them to perseverance in the faith, fervency in prayer, watchfulness against falling from the love of God, and a lively hope of eternal life (Jde 1:20, Jde 1:21). IX. Directs them how to act towards the erroneous and scandalous (Jde 1:22, Jde 1:23). And, X. Closes with an admirable doxology in the last two verses.
Open source ↗1:18 Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron, with Gath and Ashdod, later made up the five main cities of the Philistines (3:3). 1:18 in the last times: The coming of Jesus as Messiah inaugurated the last stage of God’s plan, when the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the last days began to take place. For this reason, Jude applies the apostles’ prophecy about the last times to the immediate crisis created by the false teachers (1:19).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.