Jude 12

Jude 12

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves with out fear: clouds they are with water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

a. NLT: When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots.

b. NIV: These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.

c. YLT: These are in your love-feasts craggy rocks; feasting together with you, without fear shepherding themselves; clouds without water, by winds carried about; trees autumnal, without fruit, twice dead, rooted up;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: These are hidden reefs (elements of danger) in your love feasts, where they boldly feast sumptuously [carousing together in your midst], without scruples providing for themselves [alone]. They are clouds without water, swept along by the winds; trees, without fruit at the late autumn gathering time—twice (doubly) dead, [lifeless and] plucked up by the roots;

e. Worrell Translation: These are the hidden rocks in your love-feasts, feeding sumptuously together, feeding themselves without fear; clouds without water, borne along by winds; autumnal trees, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

f. Wuest Translation: These are those individuals who are hidden rocks in your love feasts, sumptuously feasting with you without fear, as shepherds leading themselves to pasture, waterless clouds carried along by winds, autumn trees without fruit, having died twice, rooted up.

g. Peshitta Eastern Text: These people are those who lead a wasteful, feasting life and are blemished; they do not shepherd themselves in reverence; they are clouds without rain, driven by winds; trees whose blossoms have withered, without fruit; they have died a second time, pulled up by the roots.

1. “These are spots in your feasts of charity,…”

a. 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.]

b. are [Strong: 1526 eisi i-see' 3d person plural present indicative of 1510; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.]

c. spots [Strong: 4694 spilas spee-las' of uncertain derivation; a ledge or reef of rock in the sea:--spot (by confusion with 4696).] [Thayer: a rock in the sea, a ledge or reef.] [[Zodhiates: A rock by or in the sea, a cliff or sand bank on which vessels are shipwrecked. Figuratively of false teachers who, as hidden reefs, cause others to make shipwreck of their faith.]

1). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 4/21/14  The “spots” that the translators chose for this description by Jude may be better understood as “hidden rocks” just below a lake’s surface or covered over by shallow sand in a pathway. Spilas is the Greek word, not used elsewhere in the New Testament.

d. in [Strong: 1722 en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

e. your [Strong: 5216 humon hoo-mone' genitive case of 5210; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).]

f. [feasts of] charity [Strong: 26 agape ag-ah'-pay from 25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.]

1). This verse describes these people as hidden reefs, which calls to mind a few verses in Paul’s letters to Timothy. In the following verses Hymenaeus and Alexander have made shipwreck of their own faith.

a). 1 Timothy 1:19, 20 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck;

Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

2). In the following verse Hymenaeus and Philetus are described as overthrowing the faith of others.

a). 2 Timothy 2:17, 18 And their word will eat as a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2:18W ho concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

3). Peter writing in his second epistle wrote of the same people says.

a). 2 Peter 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you.

(1) riot [Strong: 5172 truphe troo-fay' from thrupto (to break up or (figuratively) enfeeble, especially the mind and body by indulgence); effeminacy, i.e. luxury or debauchery:--delicately, riot.] [Bullinger: “a breaking down, especially of the mind, and making effeminate; hence, luxury, indulgence,…”] [Zodhiates: to break up or enfeeble by luxury which destroys the integrity of body and mind.]

(2) This definition of riot intrigues me. Could it be that the passage in 2 Timothy 3:4, that describes the religious people there as, “lovers of pleasure more that lovers of God”, and the fact that they are “incontinent” i.e., unable to govern one’s own appetites, be related. Does this explain all the “addiction” usage in our vocabulary, where we are addicted to every thing from chocolate to video games to pornography to what ever? Is our pleasure loving, hedonistic culture producing a bunch of weak, feeble people who can’t control any of their desires? The answer is a definite Yes!

(3) spots [Strong: 4696 spilos spee'-los of uncertain derivation; a stain or blemish, i.e. (figuratively) defect, disgrace:--spot.] [Zodhiates: a spot or stain, figuratively in a moral sense.] [Vines: Metaphorically of lascivious persons.]

(4) The Body of Christ will be cleansed of all such individuals before the rapture. Perhaps we will be toughened up by a revelation of the power of God. Cp. Ephesians 5:26, 27.

2. “…when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear:…”

a. when they feast [Strong: 4910 suneuocheo soon-yoo-o-kheh'-o from 4862 and a derivative of a presumed compound of 2095 and a derivative of 2192 (meaning to be in good condition, i.e. (by implication) to fare well, or feast); to entertain sumptuously in company with, i.e. (middle voice or passive) to revel together:--feast with.]

b. with you [Strong: 5213 humin hoo-min' irregular dative case of 5210; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).]

c. feeding [Strong: 4165 poimaino poy-mah'-ee-no from 4166; to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser):--feed (cattle), rule.]

d. themselves [Strong: 1438 heautou heh-ow-too' from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).]

e. without fear [Strong: 870 aphobos af-ob'-oce adverb from a compound of 1 (as a negative particle) and 5401; a-negative; phobos-fear ; fearlessly:--without fear.]

1). The phrase “when they feast with you”, is speaking of eating a natural meal together; while the phrase “feeding themselves without fear” is not.

a). According to 1 Peter 2:1-3 we taste and see the Lord is good by laying aside malice and guile.

b). According to Isaiah 55:1 and 2, when we hearken diligently unto God we eat that which is good.

c). Likewise, these in a sinful manner feed themselves without fear with their sinful desires.

2). 2 Peter 2:13 “…sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;”

a). How? By “having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls:” [Remember the reefs causing shipwreck], “an heart have they excercised with covetous practices; cursed children:” (2 Peter 2:14.)

3. “…clouds they are without water, carried about of winds;…”

a. clouds [Strong: 3507 nephele nef-el'-ay from 3509; properly, cloudiness, i.e. (concretely) a cloud:--cloud.]

b. they are without water [Strong: 504 anudros an'-oo-dros from 1 (as a negative particle) and 5204; waterless, i.e. dry:--dry, without water.]

1). Dake: Clouds without the true refreshing showers of truth.

a). Deuteronomy 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as showers upon the grass:

b). Isaiah 55:10, 11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

c). Proverbs 25:14 Who so boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

c. carried about [Strong: 4064 periphero per-ee-fer'-o from 4012 and 5342; to convey around, i.e. transport hither and thither:--bear (carry) about.]

d. of [Strong: 5259 hupo hoop-o' a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.

e. winds [Strong: 417 anemos an'-em-os from the base of 109; wind; (plural) by implication, (the four) quarters (of the earth):--wind.]

1). The context of “carried about of winds” lpooks like false doctrine as opposed to sound doctrine.

a). Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning fcraftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

2). 2 Peter 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever.

a). Wells without water means they changed their gods.

(1) Jeremiah 2:11-13 Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

2:12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.

2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

3). If the is no water, there is no salvation:

a). John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

b). Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

4. “…trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;”

a. trees [Strong: 1186 dendron den'-dron probably from drus (an oak); a tree:--tree.]

b. whose fruit withereth [Strong: 5352 phthinoporinos fthin-op-o-ree-nos' from derivative of phthino (to wane; akin to the base of 5351) and 3703 (meaning late autumn); autumnal (as stripped of leaves):--whose fruit withereth.]

c. without fruit [Strong: 175 akarpos ak'-ar-pos from 1 (as a negative particle) and 2590; barren (literally or figuratively) [a-negative; karpos-fruit]:--without fruit, unfruitful.]

d. twice [Strong: 1364 dis dece adverb from 1417; twice:--again, twice.]

e. dead [Strong: 599 apothnesko ap-oth-nace'-ko from 575 and 2348; to die off (literally or figuratively):--be dead, death, die, lie a-dying, be slain (X with).]

f. plucked up by the roots [Strong: 1610 ekrizoo ek-rid-zo'-o from 1537 and 4492; to uproot:--pluck up by the root, root up.]

1). These are without fruit because they are without Jesus.

a). John 15:4, 5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide  in me.

15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

2). God desires us to be fruitful and is longsuffering towards us.

a). Luke 13:6-9 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

b). James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

3). Dake: How could they be twice dead if they had not been revived from death, had lived awhile and then died again?

a). James 5:19, 20. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

4). These trees not planted by God.

a). Matthew 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

b). Matthew 13:37-42 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.