For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude now reveals why contending for the faith is necessary: false teachers have infiltrated the church. "Crept in unawares" (Greek pareisedysan, παρεισέδυσαν) means to slip in stealthily, infiltrate secretly—these men didn't announce themselves as false teachers but posed as legitimate believers. This echoes Paul's warning about false brothers "secretly brought in" (Galatians 2:4).
The phrase "before of old ordained to this condemnation" (Greek hoi palai prographphentes eis touto to krima, οἱ πάλαι προγεγραμμένοι εἰς τοῦτο τὸ κρίμα) has generated debate. Some see predestination to damnation, but more likely it refers to prophetic warnings in Scripture about such people—they fit the pattern of ungodly men long ago written about as facing judgment. Their condemnation was "written beforehand" in Old Testament warnings and apostolic prophecies.
Jude charges them with two heresies:
"turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness" (Greek tēn tou theou hēmōn charin metatithentes eis aselgeian, τὴν τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν χάριν μετατιθέντες εἰς ἀσέλγειαν)—perverting grace into a license for sensual indulgence, antinomianism
"denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Greek ton monon despotēn kai kyrion hēmōn Iēsoun Christon arnoumenoi, τὸν μόνον δεσπότην καὶ κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἀρνούμενοι)—rejecting Christ's absolute authority and deity.
The word "deny" means to disown, refuse to acknowledge—whether explicitly in doctrine or implicitly through lawless living.
Historical Context
The early church faced immediate threats from antinomianism—the belief that grace eliminates all moral obligation. Some misinterpreted Paul's teaching on justification by faith alone to mean Christian behavior doesn't matter. Paul himself anticipated this misunderstanding (Romans 6:1-2, 15). Gnostic teachers claimed special spiritual knowledge elevated them above moral law, leading to either asceticism or licentiousness.
Jude's description of these infiltrators matches first-century patterns. False teachers often gained entrance through friendship, family connections, or claims of prophetic inspiration. Once inside, they subtly undermined foundational doctrines while maintaining Christian vocabulary. Their behavior contradicted their profession—claiming to honor Christ while living in ways that denied His lordship.
The reference to judgment "written beforehand" reflects Jewish understanding that Scripture contains patterns and prophecies applicable to later generations. The Old Testament repeatedly describes ungodly people facing God's judgment (Deuteronomy 13:5, Isaiah 29:15-16). Apostolic warnings about false teachers (Acts 20:29-30, 2 Peter 2:1-3) served as further prophetic writings identifying and condemning such infiltrators.
Questions for Reflection
What contemporary forms of 'turning grace into lasciviousness' threaten the church today?
How can churches develop better discernment to recognize false teachers who 'creep in unawares'?
In what subtle ways might we deny Christ's lordship while still professing Christian faith?
Analysis & Commentary
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude now reveals why contending for the faith is necessary: false teachers have infiltrated the church. "Crept in unawares" (Greek pareisedysan, παρεισέδυσαν) means to slip in stealthily, infiltrate secretly—these men didn't announce themselves as false teachers but posed as legitimate believers. This echoes Paul's warning about false brothers "secretly brought in" (Galatians 2:4).
The phrase "before of old ordained to this condemnation" (Greek hoi palai prographphentes eis touto to krima, οἱ πάλαι προγεγραμμένοι εἰς τοῦτο τὸ κρίμα) has generated debate. Some see predestination to damnation, but more likely it refers to prophetic warnings in Scripture about such people—they fit the pattern of ungodly men long ago written about as facing judgment. Their condemnation was "written beforehand" in Old Testament warnings and apostolic prophecies.
Jude charges them with two heresies:
The word "deny" means to disown, refuse to acknowledge—whether explicitly in doctrine or implicitly through lawless living.