The false brethren sin in like manner. In their dreamings, i.e. vain conceits (yielding to their own wayward fancies, Chase), they are licentious and rebellious. They despise the Lordship (Jude 1:8 *) and rail at the glorious ones (cf. mg.). Unlike Michael, who in his controversy with the devil did not abuse him, they do not fear to utter abuse upon things which are beyond their knowledge (i.e. the Lordship and the glorious ones); and in the carnal things which, like mere animals, they do understand, they are destroyed. They are compared to Cain, to Balaam, and to Korah. They are as dangerous as hidden rocks, selfish as shepherds who only feed themselves, useless as floating, waterless clouds or barren trees, disobedient as wandering stars (which keep not their own principality their sin is like that of the fallen angels and they are doomed to the same fate see on Jude 1:6). It was to these also that Enoch spoke when he foretold the final judgment. They are discontented, licentious, boastful, unprincipled self-seekers. The whole passage should be compared with 2 Peter 2:10-17.
Jude 1:8. dominion: render, the Lordship, i.e. Christ or God: cf. Didaché 4:1 (whencesoever the Lordship speaketh, there is the Lord). dignities: render, the glorious ones, i.e. the heavenly beings (2 Peter 2:10 *).
Jude 1:9. The story of Michael is taken from the Assumption of Moses. The devil claimed the body of Moses on the ground that he was a murderer (Exodus 2:11). This was blasphemy which Michael would not tolerate, yet he forbore to charge the devil with blasphemy, and merely said: The Lord rebuke thee. The story is not found in that fragment of the Assumption which has been preserved, but its presence in the original work is well attested (cf. Clement of Alexandria's Commentary on Jude; also Origen, de Princ. III, ii. 1).
Jude 1:11. in the way of Cain: the false brethren were not murderers, and there is an element of exaggeration in the comparison, which probably accounts for 2 P.'s omission of it; but cf. Wis_10:3, where Cain is regarded as a typically unrighteous man. Jude emphasizes mainly the uncleanness (the error) of Balaam (Numbers 25, the sin of Baal-Peor; cf. Revelation 2:14); in 2 P. the emphasis is rather on his covetousness. Korah despised the authority of Moses (Numbers 16), as the false brethren despised the rulers of the church.
Jude 1:12. love-feasts: 2 Peter 2:13 *. Taken in connexion with shepherds that feed themselves, and the charge of making separations (Jude 1:19), we may suppose the reference is to such disorders as are mentioned in connexion with the Lord's Supper at Corinth 1 Corinthians 11:18-22).
Jude 1:14. Enoch, the seventh from Adam (cf. Genesis 5): the quotation is based on two passages in the introduction to the Book of Enoch (1:9 and 5:4).