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INDEX |
Jude 1:12 These men 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. Again it is important to remember that Jude is speaking of unbelievers and gives an interesting insight into the nature of such men. Jude says almost in amazement they eat with you without the slightest qualm. The Love Feast or Agape is a feast and the Lord's Supper celebrated together. In this communal feast people bring what they can and share from a common table, illustrating that all were cared for. This meal may have been the only time many Christians who were slaves had a proper meal. The Celebration often included prayer; eating; religious conversation; washing of hands; lighting of lamps; and singing. Was Jude's amazement caused by the audacity of the false teachers or was it that the Love feast had become a place for libertines. William Barclay translates this first statement as: "These people are hidden rocks which threaten to wreck your Love Feast". It is true that bad company affects the spirit. This is How Jude describes them: They are wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. They offer no fix or direction for the soul of a man to help him on his life's journey. The blackest darkness talks of the separation in Hell and that awaits these unbelieving false teachers. Introduction / Salutation verses
1 -2 / The Letter's purpose v.3-4 /
Historical warning v. 5-7 |