Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Jude 1:24 - 1:25
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Jud_1:24-25
24Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jud_1:24-25 This is one of the most beautiful prayers in the entire NT. What a stark contrast between these words of secure and confident faith and the arrogance and immorality of the false teachers.
Jud_1:24 "to Him who is able" This is a present middle (deponent) participle. God the Father continues to be able to perform His will in an evil world. This is a wonderful title for God.
1. "Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ" (Rom_16:25)
2. "Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Eph_3:20)
3. "Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling" (Jud_1:24)
▣ "to keep you from stumbling" This metaphor of sure-footed horses is used to describe God's care for faithful believers in Psa_121:3 (also cf. Psa_17:5; Psa_66:9; Psa_94:17-18) and stable believers in 2Pe_1:10. The book of Jude is characterized by those who have stumbled, but God is able to stabilize true believers.
▣ "to make you stand" We are "guarded by God" so as to stand firm in faith (cf. Eph_6:11; Eph_6:13-14; Rom_5:2; 1Co_15:1).
hyperlink
▣ "in the presence of His glory" "Glory" is an OT term for brightness. God's presence is described as a glorious shining. Sinful mankind cannot approach this glorious light of purity and holiness. But now in Christ, believers have been transformed by God's grace, Christ's work, and the Spirit's empowerment to approach and maintain fellowship with the Holy One of Israel. See Special Topic at Jas_2:1.
▣ "blameless" This is an OT sacrificial term used of an animal without blemishes, acceptable for an offering on the altar of sacrifice. This phrase is used of (1) Christ's blamelessness in 1Pe_1:19; (2) believers' blamelessness (cf. Eph_1:4; Php_2:15; Col_1:22), which is only available in the finished sacrificial work of Christ (cf. 2Co_5:21; Col_1:22) and (3) the glorified church in Eph_5:20-27.
hyperlink
▣ "with great joy" In this eschatological setting, sorrow, suffering, sin, and temptation are no more. It has always been God's will that His special creation (mankind) approach Him with joy and thanksgiving (cf. Psalms 100). Mankind's fear is a terrible sign of the reality of rebellion.
Jud_1:25 "to the only God" This is a reference to monotheism (cf. Deu_6:4-5). It is grammatically parallel to (the dative) "to Him who is able" of Jud_1:24. We must hold to the OT affirmation of the oneness of God but add the NT emphasis on the Deity of Jesus and the personality of the Spirit. We affirm one divine essence but three eternal personal manifestations.
▣ "our Savior" This is also used of God the Father (cf. Luk_1:47; 1Ti_1:1; 1Ti_2:3; 1Ti_4:10; Tit_1:3; Tit_2:10; Tit_3:4). It is an example of a title used both for the Father and the Son. Notice the usage in Titus:
1. "God our Savior" (Tit_1:3)
"Christ Jesus our Savior" (Tit_1:4)
2. "God our Savior" (Tit_2:10)
"our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Tit_2:13)
3. "God our Savior" (Tit_3:4)
"Jesus Christ our Savior" (Tit_3:6)
▣ "through Jesus Christ our Lord" He is the only channel of God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness to fallen mankind (cf. Joh_14:6; Act_4:12; 1Ti_2:5). He is God the Father's agent of creation, salvation, and judgment. Every blessing and provision comes through Him (cf. Col_1:15-22).
It is interesting that 2Pe_3:18 closes in an affirmation of "glory" and eternality to Christ, while Jude closes with an affirmation to God the Father.
▣ "glory" This is the splendor (Hebrew kabod) of the holiness of the one true God. This brightness attaches to everything in His presence (cf. 1Pe_4:11). See note at Jas_2:1.
▣ "majesty" The root term is "great." It is a periphrasis for God (cf. Heb_3:1; Heb_8:1). A related term is used of Christ in 2Pe_1:16.
NASB, NKJV "dominion"
NRSV "power"
TEV "might"
NJB "authority"
Paul and Peter use this term to describe God's power unto the ages (cf. Rom_16:25-27; Eph_3:20; 1Ti_1:17; 1Pe_4:11; 1Pe_5:11). It describes God's strength to accomplish His purposes (cf. Act_19:20; Eph_1:19).
▣ "authority" This is the Greek term exousia, which means (1) freedom to act; (2) ability to act; (3) right (legal) to act; and therefore, (4) absolute power to act. It is used of God and in a derived sense of angels and human rulers.
This series of powerful terms describes the God who is able (versus the angels and false teachers who are not able) to deliver His promises.
▣ "now" God is still able and ready to provide every need through Christ to Jude's readers.
▣ "forever" God's character and promises are sure and trustworthy unto all the ages (cf. Psa_102:25-27 [Heb_1:1-11]; Mal_3:6; Heb_13:8; Jas_1:17).
Copyright © 2013 hyperlink