Jude 1:19

Authorized King James Version

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These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Original Language Analysis

οὗτοί These G3778
οὗτοί These
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 1 of 8
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
εἰσιν be G1526
εἰσιν be
Strong's: G1526
Word #: 2 of 8
they are
οἱ G3588
οἱ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποδιορίζοντες, they who separate G592
ἀποδιορίζοντες, they who separate
Strong's: G592
Word #: 4 of 8
to disjoin (by a boundary, figuratively, a party)
ψυχικοί, sensual G5591
ψυχικοί, sensual
Strong's: G5591
Word #: 5 of 8
sensitive, i.e., animate (in distinction on the one hand from g4152, which is the higher or renovated nature; and on the other from g5446, which is th
πνεῦμα the Spirit G4151
πνεῦμα the Spirit
Strong's: G4151
Word #: 6 of 8
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
μὴ not G3361
μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 7 of 8
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἔχοντες. having G2192
ἔχοντες. having
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 8 of 8
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

Cross References

1 Corinthians 2:14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.James 3:15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.Hebrews 10:25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.Proverbs 18:1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.Hosea 9:10I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.Ezekiel 14:7For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:Hosea 4:14I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall.

Analysis & Commentary

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. Jude provides three concise marks identifying false teachers. First, "who separate themselves" (Greek hoi apodiorizontes, οἱ ἀποδιορίζοντες) means those who create divisions, marking boundaries that exclude others. This rare word suggests self-appointed elitism—claiming superior spirituality that separates them from ordinary believers. Ironically, while promoting themselves as spiritual elite, they're creating factions (schisms) that divide Christ's body.

Second, "sensual" (Greek psychikoi, ψυχικοί) literally means "soulish" or "natural," contrasting with "spiritual" (Greek pneumatikos). Paul uses this distinction in 1 Corinthians 2:14-15—the natural person doesn't accept spiritual things but operates at purely human level, governed by fallen reason and desire. Despite claims to advanced spirituality, these teachers function at sub-spiritual, merely human level. They're controlled by natural appetites and worldly wisdom, not divine truth and Spirit-led transformation.

Third, "having not the Spirit" (Greek pneuma mē echontes, πνεῦμα μὴ ἔχοντες) exposes their fundamental deficiency—they lack the Holy Spirit. This doesn't mean temporary grieving or quenching the Spirit but total absence of regenerating, indwelling Spirit. Romans 8:9 teaches that anyone without the Spirit doesn't belong to Christ. These teachers' behavior, doctrine, and character prove they're unregenerate—religious but lost, active but dead, influential but damned.

Historical Context

First-century Gnosticism particularly exhibited these characteristics. Gnostic teachers claimed special knowledge (gnōsis) that elevated them above ordinary believers, creating tiered spirituality—pneumatics (spiritual elite), psychics (ordinary church members), and hylics (material people). They separated themselves into exclusive groups with secret teachings and initiations. Yet their actual behavior demonstrated they operated at fleshly, not spiritual, level.

The early church battled constant tendency toward elitism and factionalism. Corinthian church divided around preferred teachers (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). Various groups claimed superior spirituality through speaking in tongues, special revelations, ascetic practices, or theological sophistication. Against this, apostles insisted on unity in essential doctrine, mutual love transcending differences, and humility recognizing all believers equally justified and equally dependent on grace.

The phrase "having not the Spirit" would have shocked Jude's readers regarding people who claimed exceptional spirituality. How could those teaching about spiritual matters lack the Spirit? Jude's point: profession doesn't equal possession; religious activity doesn't prove regeneration. Jesus warned that many claiming to prophesy and perform miracles in His name would hear "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:21-23).

Questions for Reflection