| Chapter 1
Chapter Outline
The apostle exhorts to stedfastness in the faith.(1–4)
The danger of being infected by false professors, and the dreadful punishment which shall be inflicted on them and their followers.(5–7)
An awful description of these seducers and their deplorable end.(8–16)
Believers cautioned against being surprised at such deceivers arising among them.(17–23)
The epistle ends with an encouraging doxology, or words of praise.(24, 25)
Verses 1–4
Christians are called out of the world, from the evil spirit and temper of it; called above the world, to higher and better things, to heaven, things unseen and eternal; called from sin to Christ, from vanity to seriousness, from uncleanness to holiness; and this according to the Divine purpose and grace. If sanctified and glorified, all the honour and glory must be ascribed to God, and to him alone. As it is God who begins the work of grace in the souls of men, so it is he who carries it on, and perfects it. Let us not trust in ourselves, nor in our stock of grace already received, but in him, and in him alone. The mercy of God is the spring and fountain of all the good we have or hope for; mercy, not only to the miserable, but to the guilty. Next to mercy is peace, which we have from the sense of having obtained mercy. From peace springs love; Christ's love to us, our love to him, and our brotherly love to one another. The apostle prays, not that Christians may be content with a little; but that their souls and societies may be full of these things. None are shut out from gospel offers and invitations, but those who obstinately and wickedly shut themselves out. But the application is to all believers, and only to such. It is to the weak as well as to the strong. Those who have received the doctrine of this common salvation, must contend for it, earnestly, not furiously. Lying for the truth is bad; scolding for it is not better. Those who have received the truth must contend for it, as the apostles did; by suffering with patience and courage for it, not by making others suffer if they will not embrace every notion we call faith, or important. We ought to contend earnestly for the faith, in opposition to those who would corrupt or deprave it; who creep in unawares; who glide in like serpents. And those are the worst of the ungodly, who take encouragement to sin boldly, because the grace of God has abounded, and still abounds so wonderfully, and who are hardened by the extent and fulness of gospel grace, the design of which is to deliver men from sin, and bring them unto God.
Verses 5–7
Outward privileges, profession, and apparent conversion, could not secure those from the vengeance of God, who turned aside in unbelief and disobedience. The destruction of the unbelieving Israelites in the wilderness, shows that none ought to presume on their privileges. They had miracles as their daily bread; yet even they perished in unbelief. A great number of the angels were not pleased with the stations God allotted to them; pride was the main and direct cause or occasion of their fall. The fallen angels are kept to the judgment of the great day; and shall fallen men escape it? Surely not. Consider this in due time. The destruction of Sodom is a loud warning to all, to take heed of, and flee from fleshly lusts that war against the soul, 1Pe 2:11. God is the same holy, just, pure Being now, as then. Stand in awe, therefore, and sin not, Ps 4:4. Let us not rest in anything that does not make the soul subject to the obedience of Christ; for nothing but the renewal of our souls to the Divine image by the Holy Spirit, can keep us from being destroyed among the enemies of God. Consider this instance of the angels, and see that no dignity or worth of the creature is of avail. How then should man tremble, who drinketh iniquity like water! Job 15:16.
Verses 8–16
False teachers are dreamers; they greatly defile and grievously wound the soul. These teachers are of a disturbed mind and a seditious spirit; forgetting that the powers that be, are ordained of God, Ro 13:1. As to the contest about the body of Moses, it appears that Satan wished to make the place of his burial known to the Israelites, in order to tempt them to worship him, but he was prevented, and vented his rage in desperate blasphemy. This should remind all who dispute never to bring railing charges. Also learn hence, that we ought to defend those whom God owns. It is hard, if not impossible, to find any enemies to the Christian religion, who did not, and do not, live in open or secret contradiction to the principles of natural religion. Such are here compared to brute beasts, though they often boast of themselves as the wisest of mankind. They corrupt themselves in the things most open and plain. The fault lies, not in their understandings, but in their depraved wills, and their disordered appetites and affections. It is a great reproach, though unjust to religion, when those who profess it are opposed to it in heart and life. The Lord will remedy this in his time and way; not in men's blind way of plucking up the wheat with the tares. It is sad when men begin in the Spirit, and end in the flesh. Twice dead; they had been once dead in their natural, fallen state; but now they are dead again by the evident proofs of their hypocrisy. Dead trees, why cumber they the ground! Away with them to the fire. Raging waves are a terror to sailing passengers; but when they get into port, the noise and terror are ended. False teachers are to expect the worst punishments in this world and in that to come. They glare like meteors, or falling stars, and then sink into the blackness of darkness for ever. We have no mention of the prophecy of Enoch in any other part or place of Scripture; yet one plain text of Scripture, proves any point we are to believe. We find from this, that Christ's coming to judge was prophesied of, as early as the times before the flood. The Lord cometh: what a glorious time will that be! Notice how often the word “ungodly” is repeated. Many now do not at all refer to the terms godly, or ungodly, unless it be to mock at even the words; but it is not so in the language taught us by the Holy Ghost. Hard speeches of one another, especially if ill-grounded, will certainly come into account at the day of judgment. These evil men and seducers are angry at every thing that happens, and never pleased with their own state and condition. Their will and their fancy, are their only rule and law. Those who please their sinful appetites, are most prone to yield to ungovernable passions. The men of God, from the beginning of the world, have declared the doom denounced on them. Such let us avoid. We are to follow men only as they follow Christ. (Jud 1:17-23)
Verses 17–23
Sensual men separate from Christ, and his church, and join themselves to the devil, the world, and the flesh, by ungodly and sinful practices. That is infinitely worse than to separate from any branch of the visible church on account of opinions, or modes and circumstances of outward government or worship. Sensual men have not the spirit of holiness, which whoever has not, does not belong to Christ. The grace of faith is most holy, as it works by love, purifies the heart, and overcomes the world, by which it is distinguished from a false and dead faith. Our prayers are most likely to prevail, when we pray in the Holy Ghost, under his guidance and influence, according to the rule of his word, with faith, fervency, and earnestness; this is praying in the Holy Ghost. And a believing expectation of eternal life will arm us against the snares of sin: lively faith in this blessed hope will help us to mortify our lusts. We must watch over one another; faithfully, yet prudently reprove each other, and set a good example to all about us. This must be done with compassion, making a difference between the weak and the wilful. Some we must treat with tenderness. Others save with fear; urging the terrors of the Lord. All endeavours must be joined with decided abhorrence of crimes, and care be taken to avoid whatever led to, or was connected with fellowship with them, in works of darkness, keeping far from what is, or appears to be evil.
Verses 24, 25
God is able, and as willing as able, to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory. Not as those who never have been faulty, but as those who, but for God's mercy, and a Saviour's sufferings and merits, might most justly have been condemned long ago. All sincere believers were given him of the Father; and of all so given him he has lost none, nor will lose any one. Now, our faults fill us with fears, doubts, and sorrows; but the Redeemer has undertaken for his people, that they shall be presented faultless. Where there is no sin, there will be no sorrow; where there is the perfection of holiness, there will be the perfection of joy. Let us more often look up to Him who is able to keep us from falling, to improve as well as maintain the work he has wrought in us, till we shall be presented blameless before the presence of his glory. Then shall our hearts know a joy beyond what earth can afford; then shall God also rejoice over us, and the joy of our compassionate Saviour be completed. To Him who has so wisely formed the scheme, and will faithfully and perfectly accomplish it, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.
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--【译】何叶-（待审校）-【编】何叶2012年7月24日(二)22:37(CST)
第一章
章节大纲
第1-4节，使徒犹大劝告要坚定不移持守信心。
第5-7节，警告要提防受假教师蛊惑的危险，并指出假教师及其跟随者会受大惩罚。
第8-16节，对这些引诱人的及其可悲结局的骇人描述。
第17-23节，警告信徒不要稀奇这些引诱者在他们中出现。
第24-25节，以鼓舞人心的颂赞结束书信。
第1-4节
基督徒蒙召告别世人，摆脱邪恶的灵及邪恶的性情；蒙召超越世界，抵达更高更好，进到天堂，得那未见的永生；蒙召弃罪归主，改虚浮为踏实，变肮脏为圣洁：这一切的蒙召全赖神的旨意和恩典。所以，如果得洁净受赞美，一切的尊贵荣耀都要归于且只归于神。对人的灵魂开始恩典作为的是神，将此恩典继续并完全的也是神。我们不要相信自己，也不要信已得恩典的积蓄，而要信靠神，单单信靠神。神的怜悯是我们所拥有和盼望的一切美好的根源；怜悯，不只施给苦难者，也赐给罪人。紧接怜悯的是平安，从我们已领受的怜悯中感受到的平安。而平安又喷涌出爱；基督对我们的爱，我们对基督的爱，以及弟兄彼此间的相爱。犹大祈祷的不是基督徒满足于小灵小信，而是祈祷众灵魂和团契满得平安、怜悯和爱。福音的大门向所有人敞开，但顽梗和恶毒却常令人自闭门外。至终，能得恩膏的有且只有信徒，每一位信徒。这恩膏赐给刚强的，也赐给软弱的。凡已领受这普遍救赎真理的，就当切而不怒地为之竭力争辩。因真理而撒谎可耻，为真理而谩骂可悲。领受了真理就该像使徒那样据理力争；凭着为真理所持的耐心和勇气忍耐，当所宣扬的信仰或要理的点滴概念不为人信奉时，我们也不必使人难堪。那些一味败坏真理的人，蹑手蹑脚偷着进来的人，像蛇一样匍匐爬行的人，我们必须与其势不两立，掷地有声地为真理辩护。神施恩如雨，一直令人叹为观止地施恩如雨，福音恩惠丰丰盛盛无限量，目的是为救人弃罪就神，而人却对此顽固不化，名目张胆地犯罪，这种轻慢亵渎实在是令人发指。
第5-7节
物质的权益、虚伪的宣言，以及假冒的信奉，并不能保证那变得不信和不顺服之人免于神的复仇。不信的以色列人在旷野被灭绝，就是鲜明的例子，没有任何人可以仗着特权肆意妄为。以色列人曾得享多如牛毛的神迹，但即便他们也毁在了不信的罪里。还有那诸多的天使，竟然不满意神分配的职位，骄傲就是直接导致他们堕落的主要原因。天使堕落了尚且被拘留等到大日的审判；堕落的人又岂能逃脱大日审判呢？当然逃不了的！世人啊，适时想想吧。索多玛的毁灭不正是一个大警告吗，彼得前书2:11说得好啊，“我劝你们要禁戒肉体的私欲；这私欲是与灵魂争战的。”神一如从前，圣洁、公义、完全。诗篇4:4如此说：“你们应当畏惧，不可犯罪。”所以，凡引诱灵魂背逆基督的一切，我们都不要在其上停留；唯有灵魂由圣灵更新为神的样式，才能保守我们不至毁在神的仇敌手中。我们要多思想天使的教训，要明白其实受造物的价值尊严根本一无是处。恰如约伯记15:16一语道破：“何况那些污秽可憎，喝罪孽入水的罪人世人呢！”
第8-16节
假教师是做梦的人；他们大大玷污了灵魂，也大大重创了灵魂。他们有着搅扰的心思和煽风点火的灵；忘了凡掌权的都是神所命的（参看罗马书13:1）。回顾关于摩西遗体的斗争，当时，撒旦为了诱惑以色列人敬拜他，于是企图将摩西的葬身之地公之于众，但他并没得逞，只落得用绝望的毁谤泄愤的下场。这段历史提醒所有争论的人绝不要怨声控告，同时借此教导我们要保护属神的人。过去现在都没有公然藐视神的律法，也没有背后诋毁主的命令，而本质却是基督教敌人的，这样的人我们若要揪出来，即便并非不能，也绝非易事。这些人经常吹嘘自己是最有智慧的人，其实他们恰如这里所比喻的是没有灵性的畜类。他们在最敞明的教导上败坏自己，不怪他们的理解力不够，而在于他们堕落的意愿、错乱的欲念和喜好。当人言不由衷口是心非，信仰不公不义，这真是奇耻大辱。主自会在祂的时候以祂的方式对此进行排查；断不像人那样盲目地不分麦子稗子全都收割。人若在灵里开始，却在肉身完结，实在很悲哀。这表示他们经历了两次死亡：曾经已在本性中堕落的状态下死掉了，而今又因被证实为假冒伪善再次身亡。既是枯木，何必累赘地土！剪去烧了吧。汹涌的波涛虽令出海之人心惊胆战，然而一旦进入港湾，咆哮与惊惶就都过眼云烟了。在这世界并那时的到来，假教师就准备接受最严烈的惩罚吧。他们发光好比流星，稍纵即逝，至终必将永远沉入无底的黑暗。经文中并未过多提到有关以诺的预言，然而却有一节清楚明了地证实了我们要信的全部理念。从中我们得知，早在洪水之前就已有基督会来审判的预言。主的到来：那将是多么荣耀的日子！请注意，“不虔诚”何其频繁地出现，其实，很多时候，除非冷言冷语嘲笑真道，否则根本不是指言语虔诚或不虔诚，而是指不遵循圣灵的教导。彼此论断，尤其是恶意中伤，毫无疑问要受到那日的审判。这些恶人和引诱人的对所发生的一切愤愤不平，从不满意他们现时的境况与身份。他们的欲望、他们的嗜好，竟成了他们全部的法度规章。人吧，一旦满足于罪恶的念想，就最可能屈服在不受约束的激情里放浪形骸。主的仆人，从世界之初，已经将注定的审判昭告天下。所以我们务要引以为戒。我们要单单像仆人跟随基督一样地信靠顺服。
第17-23节
属乎血气的人背离基督及其教会，罪恶地勾结魔鬼，污秽地沉溺于世界，肮脏地纵情肉体。这比起因众说纷纭莫衷一是，因外在崇拜或表面体制的形式方法不同，而脱离任何教会支派而言，更罪大恶极。属乎血气的人没有圣灵，任何人若没有圣灵则不是属基督的。恩典的信以慈爱行事，纯净内心，征服世人，是最圣洁的，据此就与假信和死信区别开来。当我们在圣灵里祷告，在圣灵的引导和感化下，按圣道的准则，满怀信心、热情，恳切地祷告，我们所求的才最有可能奏效；因为这是在圣灵里祷告。对永生满怀期待的相信，能武装我们抵抗罪的诱惑，因为在喜乐的盼望中，鲜活的信心能帮助我们克制情思欲念。我们当彼此监督，诚实审慎地相互批评，相互树立标榜。当然啦，务要心怀怜悯，区别对待软弱犯罪与故意犯罪。对有些人，我们当轻言细语。对其他人，我们要存惧怕的心搭救；力告主的威严。在黑暗的笼罩下，我们一切的努力必须与决绝的恨罪相辅相成，小心避免导致罪的产生，警防与罪有牵涉，要远离邪恶，杜绝邪恶。
第24-25节
神能够且愿意保守我们不跌倒，将我们无瑕无疵地呈现在祂荣耀的面前。无瑕无疵，不是说像从没犯过罪的那样，而是指因着神的怜悯和主受死的工价，早已得到最公正合法的判处。虔诚的信徒全都是父赐给主的，父所赐予的，主一个也没落下，一个也不会落下。也许，我们因犯错而满心恐惧、怀疑、忧伤；但救主已为祂的子民担当了一切，所以我们将呈现为无瑕无疵的。没有罪，就没有悲伤；有完美的圣洁，就有完美的喜乐。我们要更多仰望能保守我们不失脚的主，提升并持守祂在我们里面的成就，直到我们在祂的荣耀面前无可指摘。那时，愿我们的心得享世人买不到的喜乐；那时，愿神喜悦我们，愿慈爱的救主的喜乐完全。愿荣耀、威严、能力、权柄都归与英明制定此计划并信实完美地将其成就的神，从现今直到永永远远。阿门。
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