I. Judges 1:1; Judges 1:2. Greeting.
II. Judges 1:3-16. The ungodly men.
(a) 3, 4, 'I was writing a pastoral letter to you when the news that certain ungodly men have crept in obliged me to address you with a special admonition.' (b) 5-7. 'I would remind you—though as Christians you already know all I can tell you—that the examples of Israel and of the angels prove that it is possible to fall away from grace, and that a punishment—of which the destruction of the cities of the plain is a visible demonstration—assuredly follows.' (c) 8-13. 'So it is with these men, who now show themselves so insolent, ignorant, and bestial. That which is most dreary, desolate, and disappointing in nature is a type of their hypocrisy, and, like wandering comets, they are destined for darkness at last, from which they shall never again come forth.' (d) 14-16. 'It is to them that Enoch's prophecy of judgment applies—to these selfish schemers who abuse the gift of speech.' III. Judges 1:17-23. 'Remember the mockers of whom the Apostle forewarned you. Here they are—these unspiritual men who make separations among the believers. Do you abide in the one faith, with prayer in the Holy Spirit, trust in the love of God, and hope of Christ's mercy. And in that hope have mercy yourselves as far as may be on those who are falling victims to this plague which is among you.' IV. Judges 1:24; Judges 1:25. 'May the only God our Saviour keep you firm, to whom be glory through Christ.'
Greeting which Introduces a Pastoral Letter Written to Meet an Inroad of Blasphemous False Teaching. Exhortation. Doxology
1. To them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called] RV 'to them that are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ.'
To them that are sanctified (RV 'called')] One word in the Gk., which, like 'saints' in Judges 1:3, is used as a name for Christians. This greeting, taken together with Judges 1:20., shows that our most holy faith, which was once for all delivered unto the saints, is based upon the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit is not expressly named in the greeting, but His agency is implied. It is He who has kept and will keep the readers for Christ; He makes them live in the Father, who is the source of love, as Christ is of mercy, and as the Holy Spirit Himself is of peace. In (RV) God] In Him all men live and move and have their being (Acts 17:28), and in Him the life of Christians is hid with Christ (Colossians 3:3). God's love embraces in Himself those whom He loves. The expression is difficult, but the thought is deep. Here, as in much else that he says, St. Jude shows a mind near akin to St. Paul's.