Jude 1:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is said impersonally of all the Apostles. Others say that it refers to Peter, James, and John.

Remember the words foretold by the Apostles, that is, by Peter in his second epistle and by Paul in almost all his epistles. From this it is clear that Jude wrote this after the Apostles had departed from this world.

"The words spoken beforehand by the Apostles." Jude reminds his readers of the apostles' prediction that false teachers would appear, the very men whom he now denounces. Which apostles Jude has in mind cannot be said. Nor can one say whether an allusion to someone's apostolic writing or to oral preaching should be seen here. The Apostle Paul often points to the appearance of such false teachers (1 Tim 4:1-3). But the Apostle Jude may have had in mind not these written indications, but spoken words, as for example in Acts 20:29. The similarity between the expression of the Apostle Jude and that of the Apostle Peter (2 Pet 3:3) cannot serve as proof that Jude had in mind the second Epistle of Peter. It has already been said above that with greater probability one must suppose that Jude did not borrow from Peter, but Peter from Jude.

"But you, beloved, remember," and so forth. The discussion of the teachers, their false teachings, and their impieties comes to an end. The apostle gives his readers a general instruction and exhortation, connected with Enoch's prophecy. Enoch's prophecy, because of the distance of time and because it was not recorded in the sacred books, could have been forgotten. But what was foretold by Christ's Apostles you must and are obliged to remember (Jude 1:5; cf. 2 Pet 3:2). This is because they foretold it to you recently, because what was foretold was written, at least in part, in books, and finally because it was foretold by apostles who heard Jesus Christ Himself. Consequently, it was foretold by Jesus Christ Himself.

After this the Apostle cites the prophecy of Enoch, and also that of Christ's Apostles, concerning the bitter lot awaiting the heretics he denounces. He outlines their manner of life in the darkest colors. Where is the prophecy of Enoch quoted by the Apostle Jude found? It is not in the sacred books of the Old Testament. But it was preserved in Hebrew tradition, which the holy Apostle Jude introduced into his epistle. By this he gave it inspired significance. For New Testament writers often supplemented the Old Testament writers, introducing into their books from the sacred tradition of God's people what the Holy Spirit inspired them to say about it.

From verse 17, one may say, the second, moral and instructive part of the Epistle begins. Here rules are first given to Christians, by which they can protect themselves from the action of false teachers. The first of these rules is to remember the apostolic predictions and warnings concerning heretics. These predictions were uttered by the apostles orally and in writing (see 2 Pet 3:2-4; Acts 20:29; 1 Tim 4:1, 3). Among the properties by which the apostles define heretics, their separation from the other members of the Church is especially worthy of attention. They are schismatics from the unity of Christian faith and life. They do not take part in the most sacred bonds and assemblies of the Church (cf. Acts 11:46; 1 Cor 11:20; Heb 10:25).

Until now Jude warned against false teachers by pointing to the sad lot of impious men like them in the ancient world. He also pointed to Enoch's prophecy about the fate of the impious who would appear before the end of the world. Now he strengthens this warning by the prophecy of the holy Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. They foretold that in the last time mockers would appear, walking according to their impious lusts. Speaking of the Apostles, Jude may have in mind the Apostle Peter (2 Pet 3:17-18) and the Apostle Paul (1 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim 3:2). Both foretold the appearance of false teachers in the last time, that is, before the second coming of Christ. This time is called last because after it there will be no new period in the history of the divine economy of our salvation.