Jude 1:19 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

These be they who separate themselves Namely, from the communion of the church and from other Christians, under pretence of their greater illumination; sensual Ψυχικοι, animal; not having the Spirit Having a natural understanding and natural senses, but not the Spirit of God, either as the Spirit of truth or grace, and therefore addicted to the low gratifications of their animal life; otherwise they would not separate themselves from the Church of Christ. For that it is a sin, and a very heinous one, to separate from it, is out of all question. But then it should be observed, 1st, That by the Church of Christ is meant a body of living Christians, who are a habitation of God through the Spirit, Ephesians 2:20-21. And, 2d, That by separating is understood renouncing all religious intercourse with them, no longer joining with them in solemn prayer, or the other public offices of religion.