16

In this verse, Jude applied Enoch’s prophecy (14c and 15a–d) directly to the fake Christians in the Christian church to which he was writing. (As mentioned in the Introduction for these Notes, Jude used the “midrash” style, which was sometimes used by Jewish rabbis. This style had text-application pairs. Here Jude wrote the application part (verse 16) of this midrash (14–16). This comment applied the text part (14c–15) to the situation about which Jude was writing. In 16 he further described the ways of the fake Christians. )

16a

These men: Again, These men refers to the fake Christians. Jude mentioned these people frequently throughout his letter (4, 8a, 10–13, 14b).

men: The Greek pronoun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “These men” did not necessarily refer only to males. Many English versions do not indicate whether they were male or female. For example:

These people… (Good News Translation)
-or-
They… (Revised English Bible)

discontented: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as discontented refers to people who are critical and find fault with others. They criticize other people, the Lord, (The fake Christians may have been blaming the Lord for the things they did not like.) situations, or anything at all. This word is similar in meaning to the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “grumblers,” and the form also implies that the fake Christians did this repeatedly or as a habit. Some ways to translate this idea are:

faultfinders (New International Version (2011 Revision))

blame others (New Century Version)

criticizers

malcontents

In some languages it may be necessary to specify with whom they found fault. If that is true in your language, you may specify that they found fault with the Lord. However, it is better to be general here, if possible.

grumblers: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as grumblers refers to people who complain. Some English versions use a verb to translate this idea. For example:

These people grumble. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
These people complain. (New Century Version)

The Greek word indicates that the people grumbled as a habit. They complained repeatedly. If your language has a special way to indicate habitual or repeated action, consider using it here.

Jude did not say against whom the fake Christians were grumbling or what they were grumbling about. However, in the context, he may be referring to the “harsh words” they “spoke against” the Lord (verse 15). (Specifically, the Lord Jesus Christ.) In a sense, all grumbling is against the Lord, because he is ruler over everything.

In this letter, whenever Jude specified the person against whom a particular sin was directed, it was always against the Lord. (In verse 4, the fake Christians rejected the Lord, and in verse 5, the Israelites did not trust him. Here in verse 16 Jude was commenting on verses 14–15, where Enoch’s prophecy said that the Lord would declare guilty people who spoke harsh words against him. Therefore, it is reasonable to think that the fake Christians whom Jude described in verse 16 were grumbling against the Lord.) In some languages it may be necessary to make “the Lord” explicit here.

16b

following after their own lusts: This English phrase is a figure of speech. The Greek text says literally: “proceeding/going according to their desires.” It indicates that their desires were the basis for their actions. They used their own desires to decide what to do, instead of considering the Lord’s will. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

follow their own desires (God’s Word)

lusts: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lusts is neutral. It can refer to good desires as well as to evil ones, depending on the context. The text implies that these people followed their own desires instead of what the Lord desired. However, in this context, their desires were evil. Some ways to translate this include:

They do the evil acts they desire to do.
-or-
Their own evil desires lead/entice them to sin.
-or-
governed only by their own desires (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
who go wherever their desires lead them (NET Bible)

16c

their mouths spew arrogance: The Greek text that the Berean Standard Bible translates as their mouths spew arrogance is literally “and the mouths of them speaking too-large.” The fake Christians were saying arrogant things. In the context, Jude may be referring to their arrogant claims that showed their disrespect for the Lord’s authority. Some ways to translate this are:

say arrogant things (God’s Word)
-or-
with mouths full of boastful talk (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
They brag about themselves. (Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, Good News Translation)

Look for the most natural way in your language to clearly communicate this idea.

16d

flatter others for their own advantage: Jude indicated here that they complimented other people and pretended to admire them, even if they did not deserve it. They did this to get what they wanted, not to express sincere appreciation. Other ways to translate this include:

flatter others to get what they want (Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
-or-
compliment other people for their own benefit

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.