Chapter Eight - Verses 14-16
14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
Jude has been describing the nature and motivations of the ungodly people he previously referred to as having crept into our lives, families and churches (see verse 4) and now he is pointing out that these people’s destinies were also prophesied in the Bible. However, the source of this prophecy is stated as coming from Enoch, the seventh from Adam (see Genesis 5:18-24). Even though we know very little about Enoch, we know that he, “walked with God,” which has created a number of speculations ranging from simply being obedient (as we are all called to walk with God, see Micah 6:8) to physically walking with God. Since only one other person is recorded to have ‘walked’ with God (and that person would be Noah, as references just a few verses later in Genesis 6:9), we know it is a reference to something more than just being obedient. Before we look at another very unique attribute that makes Enoch special, let’s try solving this puzzle: If Methuselah was the oldest person in the Bible (and that is true, he lived 969 years), how did he die before his father? The answer is that his father is Enoch who never died, he was taken by God before he died (see Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5). Something again that was only shared by one other person, in this case, Elijah (see 2 Kings 2:1-12).
Jude says that Enoch prophesied, and it is at this point someone should yell, “Wait! What? There is nothing in the Old Testament that refers to Enoch talking, let alone stating prophecy!” Here in Jude is the earliest recorded prophecy in the Bible and it is about the second coming of Jesus. Now before we continue, we should recognize that even though this prophecy is not recorded anywhere else in the Bible does not mean that it is an error or that it is wrong. The statement carries the same weight as an Old Testament prophecy since the Holy Spirit included it in the New Testament and used it in context as being true. As such, it should be interpreted and the truth applied in the same way everything else should be interpreted and understood in the Bible, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV) and “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21, ESV)
The prophecy Jude is quoting is recorded in the Book of Enoch, now before you start looking at your Bible’s table of contents, it is not a book of the Bible. There are four main types of extra-biblical writings that are often considered profitable to study but for one reason or another they are not considered God’s Word and therefore they are not included in the Canon (the word ‘canon’ refers to a ‘rule’ or standard) of holy Scripture. Those four types are: Apocryphal (touted as being true but authenticity is doubtful or questioned), Pseudepigraphal (a falsely attributed writing, the claimed author is not the true author), Historical (history is recorded, although may require verification or facts are wrong) and Commentary (books that simply explain existing text are not usually considered part of God’s Word). The Book of Enoch would fall into the pseudepigraphal category. Since much of the world was clamoring for more information about God and Jesus by the end of the first century, several pseudepigraphal books started to appear, many included the title of ‘gospel’, playing on the name given to the books that described the real story of salvation. Some titles include: Book of Noah, Prayer of Joseph, Testament of Job, Elijah the Prophet, Secrets of Enoch, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Judas, Gospel of Peter, Epistles of Barnabas, Apocalypse of Peter, Apocalypse of Paul and the list goes on! Most of these are very limited in number and in some cases only one copy was found (many of those had missing words).
There are a number of non-biblical books referenced in the Bible (Paul referred to several, see Acts 17:28; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Titus 1:12). Since Enoch and the Book of Enoch were important parts of Jewish history most of Jude’s early audience would have been familiar with the text. The section Jude quotes is either from 1 Enoch 1:9 or 2:1, depending on the translation you choose to read (a few scholars believe there may also be a connection to Deuteronomy 33:2 as well). Since the first chapter of 1 Enoch offers potential insight regarding the heart and mind of Enoch, as well as a look inside a special blessing for God’s people, I have provided the entire text below.
The quote in Jude begins with a statement that the Lord (Jesus) comes with ten thousands. The word ‘thousands’ is not an error in translation, it comes from the same Greek word we get the word ‘myriad’ from; meaning either “tens of thousands,” many thousand or some unlimited number. The term does not necessarily represent an actual number (although it is often used in that manner). He continues by saying that Jesus will come back with His holy ones. This is the Greek word, ‘hagios’ which is most often translated into English either ‘holy’ or as ‘saints’. This is somewhat unusual as Jesus’ Second Coming is frequently described as being accompanied by angels (see Matthew 24:33; 25:31; Mark 8:38). Some scholars believe Jesus will come back with His saints (see Revelation 7:9 and 19:14) while others believe that Jude was also referring to angels even though he did not use that word.
Jesus will be returning to execute judgment and convict the ungodly including those Jude has been describing since verse four. The Greek word for ‘ungodly’ is the same one Jude used in verse four and now we will see it, and some other words derived from that word, four times in verse 15 (see also 2 Peter 2:5-6). The word should not be thought of being some form of mild scolding, like saying, “he acted ungodly,” this word implies that the person absolutely refuses to acknowledge or follow God and was a result, certainly not one that would seek forgiveness from God. They are being condemned for their actions and all the ‘harsh’ things (the Greek word here implies severely harsh, violent and intolerable) that these ‘sinners’ say against God.
16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
Finished with the quote from Enoch, Jude adds that these people are also grumblers, an apt description that should sound familiar for those who know the story about the Israelites returning home after being held in slavery in Egypt (read Exodus 16:1-9 and Numbers 14:27-30). The Greek term for grumblers is ‘gongystēs’, seems appropriate since the word starts with the English word ‘gong’, all they are doing is making a lot of noise! Next, Jude calls them ‘malcontents’ or complainers, people that are following their own sinful desires. Jude adds that these people are loud-mouthed boasters. The NKJV renders this section of verse 16 this way, “they mouth great swelling words” pointing out their outrageous arrogance and pride (see also 2 Peter 2:18), a trait they have in common with the first beast found in the Book of Revelation, who we know as the ‘antichrist’ (see Revelation 13:5-6) as he is seen constantly boasting and blaspheming God.
In his final description of these ungodly people, Jude says that they show favoritism and flatter people to gain advantage. While we are taught elsewhere in the Bible to not show favoritism or partiality (see Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 10:17; Matthew 15:18; James 2:1-19), this last section of verse 16 combines two words (in the English they would be ‘marvel’ and ‘face’) not meaning favoritism in the classic sense, but to the action of looking at someone’s face while they are talking and adjusting what they are saying based on how well it is received in order to manipulate them. Theology should never be based on popularity but on the absolutes of the Bible. God speaks, we listen, we don’t pick and choose what we like.
The first chapter of 1 Enoch:
1 Enoch 1:1 "The words of the blessing of Enoch, wherewith he blessed the elect and righteous, who will be living in the day of tribulation, when all the wicked and godless are to be removed. 2 And he took up his parable and said—Enoch a righteous man, whose eyes were opened by God, saw the vision of the Holy One in the heavens, which the angels showed me, and from them I heard everything, and from them I understood as I saw, but not for this generation, but for a remote one which is for to come. 3 Concerning the elect I said, and took up my parable concerning them:
The Holy Great One will come forth from His dwelling,
4 And the eternal God will tread upon the earth, (even) on Mount Sinai,
[And appear from His camp]
And appear in the strength of His might from the heaven of heavens.
5 And all shall be smitten with fear,
And the Watchers shall quake,
And great fear and trembling shall seize them unto the ends of the earth.
6 And the high mountains shall be shaken.
And the high hills shall be made low,
And shall melt like wax before the flame
7 And the earth shall be wholly rent in sunder,
And all that is upon the earth shall perish,
And there shall be a judgement upon all (men).
8 But with the righteous He will make peace,
And will protect the elect,
And mercy shall be upon them.
And they shall all belong to God,
And they shall be prospered,
And they shall all be blessed.
And He will help them all,
And light shall appear unto them,
And He will make peace with them.
9 And behold! He cometh with ten thousands of His holy ones
To execute judgement upon all,
And to destroy all the ungodly:
And to convict all flesh
Of all the works of their ungodliness which they have ungodly committed,
And of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.[1]
Note: Not all manuscript fragments read the same. Since many fragments are missing, the words shown in brackets are interpolations.
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[1] Charles, R. H., & Oesterley, W. O. E. (1917). The Book of Enoch (Enoch 1:1–9). London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.