Jude 1:23

23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.^[a]

Jude 1:23 in Other Translations

23 And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

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

23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

23 Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.

23 save others by snatching [them] from the fire; on others have mercy in fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Jude 1:23 Meaning and Commentary

Jude 1:23

And others save with fear
Meaning false teachers, who lead others into errors, and such as give themselves over unto sin, whether teachers or hearers, and who are obstinate and irreclaimable; even such as these, means should be used to save, if possible, by sharp admonitions and severe language; by denouncing the awful judgments of God, which threaten them; by inflicting on them church censures in a terrible manner; by declaring the terrors of the Lord, and of hell, and of everlasting damnation:

pulling [them] out of the fire;
of their soul destroying doctrines, and of their filthy and unnatural lusts, and as it were out of the fire of hell, of which they are in great danger:

hating even the garment spotted, by the flesh;
by which may be meant the conversation of those men, even their filthy conversation, which is to be hated, though their persons are not; but all ways and means should be used to save them; and this is one way, by showing a dislike unto, and a resentment at their wicked way of living, excluding them from church communion for it, and shunning all conversation with them. The allusion is not to garments defiled by profluvious persons, or menstruous women, as some think, but to garments spotted with nocturnal pollutions, or through unnatural lusts, which these persons were addicted to ^F12. It was reckoned very dishonourable for religious persons, in the time of divine service, or on a sabbath day, to have on a garment spotted with any thing; if a priest's garments were spotted, and he performed service in them, that service was not right ^F13; and if a disciple of a wise man had any grease on his garments (on a sabbath day), he was guilty of death ^F14.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 Vid. Sueton. in Vita Neronis, c. 28.
F13 T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 65. 2. & Zebachim, fol. 18. 2. & Piske Tosephot in Yoma, art. 9. & Maimon. Cele Hamikdash, c. 8. sect. 4.
F14 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 114. 1.

Jude 1:23 In-Context

21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

22 Be merciful to those who doubt;

23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—

25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Cross References

• 1. Amos 4:11; Zechariah 3:2-5; 1 Corinthians 3:15
• 2. Revelation 3:4

Footnotes

• [a]. The Greek manuscripts of these verses vary at several points.