I. Terms Describing False Teachers and Their Actions:;xNLx;;xNLx;Ungodly / Ungodliness (Jude 4, 15 [twice], 18): Living without regard for God, characterized by wickedness, irreverence, impiety, and rebellion against divine authority. This is a primary characteristic of the false teachers.;xNLx;Sensuality / Licentiousness / Immorality (Greek: aselgeia) (Jude 4): Unrestrained indulgence in immoral desires and lustful passions; debauchery, often with a connotation of open and shameless conduct. The false teachers are accused of perverting God's grace into an excuse for such behavior.;xNLx;"Certain people have crept in unnoticed" (Jude 4): Describes the insidious and deceptive way false teachers had infiltrated the Christian community.;xNLx;"Designated for this condemnation long ago" (Jude 4): Refers to the idea that the judgment of such ungodly individuals was already foretold or determined in God's sovereign plan and justice, possibly alluding to Old Testament prophecies or divine principles of judgment.;xNLx;Deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (Jude 4): The false teachers are characterized by their rejection of the ultimate authority and lordship of Jesus Christ, possibly through their immoral behavior, their doctrinal distortions, or by promoting a version of "freedom" that disregarded Christ's commands.;xNLx;Dreamers / Those who rely on their dreams (Jude 8): Describes the false teachers as those who base their teachings or authority on subjective visions or dreams rather than on apostolic truth, leading them to defile the flesh and reject authority.;xNLx;Defile the flesh (Jude 8): To corrupt or pollute oneself, likely referring to sexual immorality or other impure practices engaged in by the false teachers.;xNLx;Reject authority (Jude 8): To despise, disregard, or rebel against legitimate spiritual authority, including that of Christ, the apostles, or perhaps even angelic beings.;xNLx;Blaspheme (the glorious ones / celestial majesties) (Jude 8, 10): To speak irreverently, contemptuously, or abusively against glorious angelic beings or other things they do not understand. This highlights their arrogance and ignorance.;xNLx;"Hidden reefs / Spots in your love feasts" (Jude 12): A metaphor describing the false teachers as dangerous, concealed hazards within the Christian community's fellowship meals (agape feasts). They participate in these sacred meals while "shepherding themselves" (caring only for their own interests) and posing a spiritual threat.;xNLx;Shepherds feeding themselves (Jude 12): A metaphor for self-serving leaders who exploit the flock for their own gain rather than caring for and nurturing it.;xNLx;Waterless clouds, swept along by winds (Jude 12): A metaphor for false teachers who promise spiritual refreshment but provide nothing of substance, being unstable and carried away by various doctrines.;xNLx;Fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted (Jude 12): Metaphors emphasizing the barrenness, spiritual deadness, and lack of genuine connection to God of the false teachers.;xNLx;Wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame (Jude 13): A metaphor for the restless, chaotic, and boastful nature of the false teachers, whose actions publicly display their own disgrace.;xNLx;Wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever (Jude 13): A metaphor for false teachers who have no fixed course, lead others astray, and are destined for eternal judgment.;xNLx;Grumblers / Malcontents (Jude 16): People who habitually complain, express dissatisfaction, and are critical, often out of selfish desire.;xNLx;Following their own ungodly passions (Jude 16, 18): Driven by sinful, irreverent desires rather than by the will of God.;xNLx;Boastful (speakers of swollen words) (Jude 16): Those who speak arrogantly, with inflated and pretentious language, often to impress or manipulate.;xNLx;Showing favoritism / Flattering people for the sake of gain (Jude 16): Treating people differently based on what can be gained from them, or using insincere praise to manipulate others for selfish advantage.;xNLx;Scoffers (Jude 18): People who mock, ridicule, and show contempt for sacred truths and godly living, particularly in the last times.;xNLx;Divisive people / Worldly people / Devoid of the Spirit / Sensual persons (Jude 19): Those who create divisions and factions within the church, are oriented towards worldly values rather than spiritual ones, and lack the Holy Spirit, acting on natural or carnal impulses.;xNLx;II. Exhortations and Christian Life:;xNLx;;xNLx;Contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3): To strive vigorously, struggle, or fight to defend and preserve the true Christian doctrine and body of belief that was "once for all delivered to the saints.";xNLx;The faith (once for all delivered to the saints) (Jude 3, 20): The core body of Christian truth and apostolic teaching, considered complete, authoritative, and to be faithfully preserved.;xNLx;Common salvation (Jude 3): The salvation in Jesus Christ that is shared by all believers.;xNLx;Remember the predictions (of the apostles) (Jude 17): To recall and pay heed to the warnings given by the apostles of Jesus Christ concerning the coming of false teachers and scoffers in the last times.;xNLx;Build yourselves up in your most holy faith (Jude 20): To strengthen and develop spiritually by growing in the true Christian faith.;xNLx;Praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20): Praying under the guidance, enablement, and power of the Holy Spirit, in accordance with God's will.;xNLx;Keep yourselves in the love of God (Jude 21): To remain within the sphere of God's love by living in obedience to Him and experiencing His ongoing affection and care.;xNLx;Waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life (Jude 21): Looking forward with eager expectation and hope to the final saving act of Jesus Christ at His return, which will culminate in eternal life.;xNLx;Have mercy on those who doubt (Jude 22): To show compassion and understanding towards those who are wavering in their faith or struggling with uncertainties, seeking to help them.;xNLx;Save others by snatching them out of the fire (Jude 23): An urgent call to rescue those who are in danger of spiritual destruction due to false teaching or sin.;xNLx;Hating even the garment stained by the flesh (Jude 23): A strong expression signifying a radical aversion to and separation from anything associated with sin or moral defilement, even things remotely connected to it.;xNLx;Mercy (Jude 2, 21, 22, 23): Compassion, kindness, and forbearance, both from God to believers and to be shown by believers to others, even those caught in sin or doubt (though with caution).;xNLx;Grace (Jude 4, 24 [ESV "who is able to keep you from stumbling"]): God's unmerited favor and divine enablement. Jude warns against perverting God's grace into an excuse for sin.;xNLx;III. Allusions and Figures:;xNLx;;xNLx;Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 7): Ancient cities destroyed by God for their gross immorality, particularly sexual sin ("sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire"), serving as an example of eternal punishment.;xNLx;Michael the archangel (Jude 9): A chief angel who, according to a tradition (likely from the non-canonical Jewish writing, the Assumption of Moses), contended with the devil over the body of Moses but did not pronounce a blasphemous judgment himself, instead deferring to the Lord. This contrasts with the arrogance of the false teachers.;xNLx;Cain (Jude 11): The son of Adam and Eve who murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy (Genesis 4). He exemplifies the way of wickedness, envy, and violence.;xNLx;Balaam (Jude 11): An Old Testament prophet who, for personal gain ("Balaam's error"), was willing to curse Israel and led them into sin (Numbers 22-25, 31). He serves as an archetype of a corrupt teacher motivated by greed. (See also definition in 2 Peter list).;xNLx;Korah (Jude 11): An Israelite who rebelled against the leadership of Moses and Aaron in the wilderness and was destroyed by God (Numbers 16). He exemplifies rebellion against God-ordained authority.;xNLx;Enoch, the seventh from Adam (Jude 14-15): An ancient patriarch who "walked with God" (Genesis 5:24). Jude quotes a prophecy attributed to Enoch (from the non-canonical Book of Enoch) concerning the Lord's coming with His holy ones to execute judgment on the ungodly.;xNLx;IV. Doxology and Divine Attributes:;xNLx;;xNLx;Doxology (Jude 24-25): Ascribed praise to God. Jude concludes his letter with a powerful doxology to God who is able to keep believers from stumbling and present them blameless before His glory.;xNLx;Keep you from stumbling (Jude 24): God's power to protect believers from falling into sin or apostasy.;xNLx;Present you blameless (Jude 24): God's work of bringing believers to their final state of holiness and perfection before His glorious presence.;xNLx;Majesty / Dominion / Authority (Jude 25): Attributes of God, emphasizing His supreme greatness, sovereign rule, and power, both now and forever.;xNLx;This list aims to provide clarity on some of the key terms, historical allusions, and vivid imagery encountered in the Epistle of Jude (ESV). Understanding these within their original context is crucial for grasping Jude's urgent call to defend the true faith and to live godly lives in the face of corrupting influences.