JUD 1:17-23

A Call to Persevere

17But you, beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ —

18that they said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, walking according to their own ungodly desires."

19These are the ones causing divisions, worldly-minded, not having the Spirit.

20But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22And have mercy on those who doubt;

23save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on others have mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st century, the audience of this text would have understood the warning about 'scoffers' and 'those causing divisions' in light of the broader cultural and religious tensions of their time. The Greco-Roman world was marked by competing philosophical schools and religious movements, often leading to factionalism. Within early Christian communities, disputes over doctrine and practice were common, and the charge of being 'worldly-minded' would have resonated with Jewish and Gentile listeners alike, as it contrasted the natural, unspiritual impulses with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The call to 'build up' their faith reflects the communal emphasis on strengthening the foundation of their shared belief, a practice rooted in Jewish synagogue life and early Christian gatherings. The mention of 'stained' garments would evoke Jewish purity concerns, where moral defilement was often symbolized by physical uncleanness. The exhortation to 'keep yourselves in the love of God' aligns with the Jewish and early Christian emphasis on covenantal faithfulness and eschatological hope.

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How other translations render this

JUD 1:17

KJV: But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
BSB: But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ
Koinōnos: But you, beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ —

JUD 1:18

KJV: How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
BSB: when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.”
Koinōnos: that they said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, walking according to their own ungodly desires.

JUD 1:19

KJV: These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
BSB: These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.
Koinōnos: These are the ones causing divisions, worldly-minded, not having the Spirit.

JUD 1:20

KJV: But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
BSB: But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
Koinōnos: But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

JUD 1:21

KJV: Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
BSB: keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.
Koinōnos: keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

JUD 1:22

KJV: And of some have compassion, making a difference:
BSB: And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt;
Koinōnos: And have mercy on those who doubt;

JUD 1:23

KJV: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
BSB: save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
Koinōnos: save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on others have mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

JUD 1:19

causing divisions,:The word translated 'causing divisions' implies a deliberate act of separating oneself from the community, often with the intent to create factions or exclusive groups.
worldly-minded,:The term translated 'worldly-minded' refers to someone whose life is governed by natural human instincts and desires, rather than by spiritual insight or divine influence.

JUD 1:20

building up:The word translated 'building up' carries the imagery of constructing a building, suggesting a process of steady, foundational growth and strengthening, often in a communal context.

JUD 1:23

flesh:The word translated 'flesh' here refers to the physical body, but in this context, it specifically means to be stained or defiled, indicating moral corruption or impurity.