Jude 1:17

A Call to Persevere

17 But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ ¹

Jude 1:17 Meaning and Commentary

Jude 1:17

But, beloved
Or "my beloved", as the Syriac and Arabic versions read; or "our brethren", as the Ethiopic version; the apostle addresses the saints in this manner, to distinguish them from the false teachers, and to show that he had a different opinion of them from them; and that be would have them beware of them, and not be surprised at them, since it was no other than what was foretold; and also to engage their attention and regard to the following exhortation:

remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of
our Lord Jesus Christ;
these words mean not the doctrines of the apostles in general, but particularly the prophecies delivered out by them, as by the Apostles Paul and Peter, concerning the false teachers that should arise; and these being spoken of before, and by apostles, even by the apostles, of our Lord Jesus Christ, were worthy of regard, and deserved to be remembered; a remembrance of which is a preservative from error, and a relief in the worst of times, whether of persecution, or heresy. This does not suppose that Jude was not an apostle, only that there were other apostles besides him; and that these, some of them at least, had prophesied of these men, and that he had lived to see their predictions verified; nor does he exclude himself from being one of them; yea, the Ethiopic version reads, "which we the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ have formerly declared unto you"; see ( 2 Peter 3:2 ) .

Jude 1:17 In-Context

15 to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.”

16 These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.

17 But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ

18 when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.”

19 These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.

Cross References

• 1. (Hebrews 10:19–39; 2 Peter 3:1–7)