Jude 1:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"They said to you," and so forth. All the apostles heard from Jesus Christ Himself and handed down to all the faithful, in various sayings, both orally and in writing. In writing this was done especially by the holy Apostles Peter and Paul in their epistles, and by John in the Apocalypse, if it had already been written when Jude wrote his epistle. Compare especially 2 Pet 3:3 and following, with note, and 1 Tim 4:1 and parallels. "Mockers will appear," and so forth: see 2 Pet 3:3 and note. "Separating themselves" means not only inwardly, in soul and conscience, but also outwardly. They introduce destructive heresies (2 Pet 2:1 and note) and sometimes separate themselves from ecclesiastical communion. Or they are separated from this communion by the judgment of the apostles (1 Tim 1:20).

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.