Jude 8

Jude 8

Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

a. NLT: In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.

b. NIV: In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.

c. YLT: In like manner, nevertheless, those dreaming also the flesh indeed do defile, and lordship they put away, and dignities they speak evil of,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Nevertheless in like manner, these dreamers also corrupt the body, scorn and reject authority and government, and revile and libel and scoff at [heavenly] glories (the glorious ones).

e. Worrell Translation: Yet, in like manner, these also, indulging in dreams, defile, indeed, the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities.

f. Wuest Translation: In the same manner nevertheless, also these who have visions in dreams [metaphorically, those who are beguiled with sensual images and carried away to an impious course of conduct], defile indeed the flesh, and set at naught authority, and defame pre-eminence.

g. Peshitta Eastern Text: Likewise also, these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise authority, and blaspheme against the glory.

1. “Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh,…”

a. Likewise [Strong: 3668 homoios hom-oy'-oce adverb from 3664; similarly:--likewise, so.]

1). The term, “likewise” in verse 8, “even as” in verse 7, and the account in verse 6 link all these verses together that all tell of sexual uncleanness in one form or another. Angels had sexual intercourse with human women, men had unnatural sex with men, and apparently these are homosexual preachers.

a). Adam Clark’s Comentary: “He means to say that these false teachers and their followers were as unbelieving and disobedient as the Israelites in the wilderness, as rebellious against the authority of God as the fallen angels, and as impure and unholy as the Sodomites; and that consequently they must expect similar punishment.”

b). Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary: “In the same way do these persons defile the flesh, or resemble the inhabitants of Sodom; that is, they practise the same kind of vices. What the apostle says is, that their character resembled that of the inhabitants of Sodom; the example which he adduces of the punishment which was brought on those sinners, leaves it to be clearly inferred that the persons of whom he was speaking would be punished in a similar manner.  These filthy dreamers. The word filthy has been supplied by our translators, but there is no good reason why it should have been introduced. The Greek word (enupniazw) means to dream; and is applied to these persons as holding doctrines and opinions which sustained the same relation to truth which dreams do to good sense. Their doctrines were the fruits of mere imagination, foolish vagaries and fancies. The word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, except in Ac 2:17, where it is applied to visions in dreams.”

b. [Strong: 3305 mentoi men'-toy from 3203 and 5104; indeed though, i.e. however:--also, but, howbeit, nevertheless, yet.]

c. also [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

d. these [Strong: 3778 houtos hoo'-tos, including nominative masculine plural houtoi hoo'-toy, nominative feminine singular haute how'-tay, and nominative feminine plural hautai how'-tahee from the article 3588 and 846; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.]

e. [filthy] dreamers [Strong: 1797 enupniazomai en-oop-nee-ad'-zom-ahee middle voice from 1798; to dream:--dream(-er).] [Zodhiates: spoken of visions in dreams.]

1). The word “filthy” is not in the Greek text, it was added by the KJV translators.

f. defile [Strong: 3392 miaino me-ah'-ee-no perhaps a primary verb; to sully or taint, i.e. contaminate (ceremonially or morally):--defile.] [Zodhiates: To stain with color as the staining of glass, to tinge, pollute, defile.]

g. [Strong: 3303 men men a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with 1161 (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.]

h. [the] flesh [Strong: 4561 sarx sarx probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).]

1). But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

2. “…despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.”

a. [Strong: 1161 de deh a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. despise [Strong: 114 atheteo ath-et-eh'-o from a compound of 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of 5087; to set aside, i.e. (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate:--cast off, despise, disannul, frustrate, bring to nought, reject.]

c. dominion [Strong: 2963 kuriotes koo-ree-ot'-ace from 2962; mastery, i.e. (concretely and collectively) rulers:--dominion, government.]

d. and [Strong: 1161 de deh a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

e. speak evil [Strong: 987 blasphemeo blas-fay-meh'-o from 989; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously:--(speak) blaspheme(-er, -mously, -my), defame, rail on, revile, speak evil.]

f. [of] dignities [Strong: 1391 doxa dox'-ah from the base of 1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective):--dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship.]

1). Three of the translations above say these “dignities” are angelic powers. For some unknown reason these ungodly ministers speak against angelic powers. If some of these events occur during the tribulation period there is a chance they could be speaking against the angels preaching the gospel in Revelation 14:6-11.

a). Revelation 14:6-11 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

2). Matthew Poole’s Commentary: “…either spiritual governors, or rather, civil, called dignities, because of the honourable titles given them, and gifts bestowed on them.”

3). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 4/4/14 These dreamers not only “stain” the flesh but have become so arrogant that they give “no standing” to any authority and “blaspheme” those who have any “glory.” Not even Michael the archangel had that kind of attitude; Jude notes in the next verse that Michael didn’t rebuke Lucifer when he was carrying out God’s mission for Moses’ body. Some people are way out of line! Jude’s whole message is focused on those who are attempting to resist, undo, damage, distort, or otherwise disrupt the work of God’s people. In the context, these dreamers are not merely inattentive fools who wander in and out of churches seeking some personal “fulfillment,” they are enemies within—those who may have positions of influence and who are actively seeking to hurt the ministry and mission of God’s Kingdom. Peter calls them “presumptuous” and “selfwilled,” no better than “natural brute beasts” who mouth off about “things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption” (2 Peter 2:10-12). Strong words, but a fitting description of those who would dare to set themselves against the omnipotent and omniscient Creator. HMM III