SIL Translator’s Notes on Jude 2007

SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:8

Paragraph 8–10

In this paragraph, Jude wrote that the fake Christians (verse 4) had sinned in ways which were similar to the examples of sin in verses 5–7. Jude added another example to show how evil and unwise these people were (verse 9). He then said that they were like unthinking animals (verse 10).

Yet: The Greek text of this verse contains the word mentoi, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Yet. This word helps to show how verse 8 relates to verses 5–7. Normally, it means “nevertheless.” In some languages this meaning may be implied without a connector, so some translations have left the connection implicit. In other languages a connecting word or phrase may help to make the connection clear.

Some other ways to translate mentoi here are:

Nevertheless…
-or-
Even though they know these things…
-or-
Despite knowing about these examples/warnings…

in the same way: The fake Christians whom Jude wrote about in verse 4 sinned in a manner which was similar to the three examples in verses 5–7. However, they did not commit exactly the same sins.

Some other ways that the English versions say this include:

in a similar way (God’s Word)
-or-
in like manner (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
in the very same way (New International Version (2011 Revision))

these dreamers: The phrase these dreamers refers to the fake Christians whom Jude had introduced in verse 4. Look for the most natural way in your language to indicate that these dreamers refers to the same people as the “certain men” (Berean Standard Bible) in verse 4.

Some English versions make this explicit. For example:

It is the same with these people who have entered your group. They are guided by dreams… (New Century Version)
-or-
Yet, in a similar way, the people who slipped in among you are dreamers. (God’s Word)

dreamers: In this verse, Jude described these people as dreamers. They had dreams which they claimed were from God. They thought that these dreams gave them the authority to sin in the ways that Jude mentioned in this verse. However, these dreams were not really from God.

Some ways that English versions have expressed this include:

as a result of their dreams (NET Bible)
-or-
who claim authority from their dreams (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

defile their bodies: Most scholars agree that defile their bodies refers to sexual sin. This phrase is a figure of speech. Jude was not saying that their bodies were physically dirty. Instead he meant that their sexual sin had made them spiritually impure. Because these people sinned sexually, they were similar to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (verse 7).

If your language has a similar idiom that associates “being dirty” with “sin,” especially sexual sin, then you may be able to use it here. However, in some languages an expression like “dirty with sin” might simply mean that these people were physically dirty and that they had sinned. If this is true in your language, then you may:

• Use an idiom that has the correct meaning in your language.

• Use a descriptive phrase with the correct meaning. For example:

contaminate/defile themselves with sexual sin
-or-
live immoral lives
-or-
act immorally
-or-
sin sexually

reject authority: Scholars have different opinions concerning whose authority or what kind of authority these fake Christians rejected. The two main interpretations are:

(1) Jude meant divine authority. For example:

reject the Lord’s authority (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, New Century Version, NET Bible note, New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Translation)

(2) Jude meant authority in general, including human authority. For example:

reject all authority (Contemporary English Version)

(Contemporary English Version)

Many English versions do not specify what kind of authority Jude meant. Jude probably intended interpretation (1), that these people rejected the Lord’s authority.

Some languages require a translator to specify whose authority or what type of authority Jude meant. If you need to be specific in your translation, it is recommended that you specify:

the Lord’s authority (The NET Bible has this note: “Most likely, the authority of the Lord is in view. This verse, then, echoes the indictment of v. 4: ‘they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.’”)

However, if you have a suitable way in your language to refer to all types of authority, including divine authority, you may use it here.

slander: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as slander is literally “blaspheme.” “Blaspheme” means to insult someone in a way that could injure their reputation. (In English, “blaspheme” would generally apply to a deity, and “slander” to other personal beings, such as angels, human beings, and possibly Jesus according to his human nature.) It is often used to refer to evil or irreverent statements about God, divine beings, or holy things. It can also mean to insult or disrespect God by saying or doing something that only God has the right or ability to say or do.

glorious beings: The Greek word (This word in its plural accusative form, doxas, occurs only three times in the New Testament (1 Peter 1:11, 2 Peter 2:10, Jude 8). 2 Peter 2:10 is a parallel passage to Jude 8, and it is likely that the intended meaning is the same in both passages. 1 Peter 1:11 does not refer to angels, but rather to the glorious attributes associated with Jesus Christ. If 1 Peter and 2 Peter have a common author, then it can be assumed that divine attributes are meant in 2 Peter 2:10, and also in the parallel passage, Jude 8.) that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as glorious beings is literally the noun “glories.” Scholars have different opinions concerning what Jude meant by “glories.” Two different interpretations are:

(1) It refers to the glories of Jesus Christ; that is, to what he has done and to what he is like in his splendor and excellence. For example:

his glory (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It refers to angels, or to some type of angel. For example:

the angels (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised English Bible, Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). (“Glories” has this meaning in 1 Peter 1:11. There it refers to the glorious attributes associated with Jesus Christ after his suffering on earth ended.) The general comment for 8d explains this in more detail.

In modern English it is more natural to use the singular form of the noun “glory.” (English versions of 1 Peter 1:11 often translate the plural noun doxas by singular noun “glory” (God’s Word, King James Version, New Century Version, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Revised Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation).) For example:

the Lord’s glory

General Comment on 8d

Jude did not specify exactly what these fake Christians did. They probably claimed that they spoke with the Lord’s authority. Actually, they opposed his true will by lying in order to justify their evil actions. (See the notes on “these dreamers” and “dreamers” in 8a.)

In this way, the fake Christians spoke falsely about the Lord and insulted him. They may also have usurped his authority by passing judgment on other people in his name, or by opposing those who taught the truth.

The situation that Jude most likely referred to was that the fake Christians “blasphemed glories” by speaking with authority that belonged only to the Lord. (This seems even more likely when verse 9 is considered, as well as 2 Peter 2:11. In 2 Peter 2:11, the judgment that angels do not bring is specified as “from the Lord.” A textual variant has, “before the Lord.” Either way, the angels are unwilling to speak a judgment that is the Lord’s to speak or to judge.) Some ways to translate this include:

and insult/disrespect the Lord’s glory
-or-
and they lie against/about our glorious Lord.
-or-
and they usurp the Lord’s authority.

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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.

SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:19

19a

These are: Jude referred again here to the fake Christians whom he mentioned frequently throughout his letter (Jude’s use of the word These to refer to the fake Christians is a characteristic of the central section of his letter (verses 5–19), the section containing every midrash he used. Jude 19 is the last verse of this section, and it is also the last time that Jude specifically used These as a way to introduce the application part of a text-application pair in a midrash.) (4, 8a, 10–13, 14b, 16a). Here he stated that they fulfilled the prophecy in 18b–d. You may need to make this connection clear in your translation. For example:

Now they are here, and they are the ones who… (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
And now these people are already making you turn against each other. (Contemporary English Version)

the ones who cause divisions: The true believers to whom Jude was writing were supposed to be united. The fake Christians, through their sinful behavior and false teaching, were causing these believers to divide into opposing groups/factions. Other ways to translate this include:

the people who are causing divisions among you
-or-
the ones who are causing you not to be united.
-or-
the people who are creating factions

19b

who are worldly: The Berean Standard Bible clause, who are worldly, translates one word in Greek. This word may be translated literally as “natural.” In this context its meaning (Jude used other phrases with a similar meaning. For example, “follow their own desires” (verse 16 in God’s Word) and “who…follow after their own ungodly desires” (verse 18 in Berean Standard Bible).) is similar to the expression “instinctively” in 10c. In that verse these fake Christians were described as being like unreasoning animals. They did what seemed right to them naturally, as determined by their own sinful natures.

These people were not motivated by love for the Lord or led by the Holy Spirit (19c). Instead, they were controlled by their own natural desires. Other ways to translate this include:

who are controlled by their natural desires (Good News Translation)
-or-
whose thoughts are only of this world (New Century Version)
-or-
who follow mere natural instincts (New International Version (2011 Revision))

19c

and devoid of the Spirit: The fake Christians only cared about their natural desires. They did not have the Spirit to show them a better way to think and live. (In verse 19 Jude ended his description of the people against whom he wrote so strongly from verse 4 through verse 19. As he closed the portion of his letter dealing with these people, he left no doubt that they were not true Christians. Even though these people had infiltrated the church and mixed with the true believers, they did not really love God or desire to submit to him. They did not really believe in Jesus Christ or trust him to save them. They did not have the Holy Spirit. For this reason, these Notes have referred to them as fake Christians.)

Here, the Spirit refers to the Holy Spirit. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

the Holy Spirit
-or-
God’s Spirit

If you make this explicit, it is recommended that you use your key term for the Holy Spirit. This will match 20c, where Jude referred to the Spirit as “the Holy Spirit.”

Ways to translate 19c include:

they do not have the Holy Spirit.
-or-
the Holy Spirit does not live in them.
-or-
the Holy Spirit does not guide them.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:9

Deuteronomy 34:5–6 says that the Lord buried Moses in the land of Moab. Jude referred in verse 9 to a story about this event. The story, called “the Assumption of Moses,” is not in the Bible. We know about it from other sources. (We do not have a copy of the Assumption of Moses. The story has been pieced together from several sources.) Jude’s readers probably knew this story.

Here is a summary of the story:

After Moses died, the Lord told the leading angel, Michael, to bury Moses’ body, but the devil argued with Michael. The devil said that Michael did not have the right to take the body and bury it. The devil argued that he himself could claim the body. (The devil argued that he had a right to claim Moses’ body, because Moses had murdered an Egyptian.) However, Michael refused to give the body to the devil. Michael did not pronounce judgment on the devil, because the Lord alone had the authority to judge. (For a reconstructed outline of this story see Kistemaker, page 386.)

But even: Jude contrasted the evil actions of the fake Christians with the correct action of the archangel Michael.

the archangel Michael: Archangels are angels who lead other angels. Michael is the only archangel mentioned by name in the Bible. Some ways to translate archangel are:

leading angel
-or-
chief angel
-or-
leader of God’s angels

The general comment at the end of the notes for 9d shows a way in which the parts of this verse may be reordered. Putting 9b at the end of the verse may be more natural in some languages.

when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses: Michael and the devil disputed about which of them had a right to take the body of Moses. For more detail, see the introductory note at the beginning of verse 9.

disputed: The Greek text has two verbs here in 9b that express almost the same idea. The text is literally:

when with the devil disputing, he was arguing about the body of Moses.

The two Greek verbs were often used when talking about legal disputes. They do not simply mean that Michael and Satan quarreled. If your language has terms for a disagreement concerning the law, then it may be appropriate to use them here. The term(s) you select should not imply that Michael and the devil fought physically.

Since the two Greek verbs have almost the same meaning, (English versions that translate each of the two Greek verbs separately include: God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation. We can see how close in meaning the two Greek verbs are by comparing how these versions translated each Greek verb.Here are versions which translate the first verb, diakrinomenos, with a form of the following verbs:argue (God’s Word, NET Bible) -or-contend (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version, New Revised Standard Version, Revised Standard Version)-or-dispute (New American Standard Bible)These versions translate the second Greek verb, dielegeto, with a form of these verbs:argue (God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, Good News Translation)-or-dispute (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version, New Revised Standard Version, Revised Standard Version)) there are two basic options for translation:

• Translate the two Greek verbs separately. For example:

when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
In his quarrel with the Devil, when they argued about who would have the body of Moses (Good News Translation)

• Use one expression to translate the idea of both Greek verbs, as the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions have done. (English versions that use one verb to translate the idea of both Greek verbs include: Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Revised English Bible. They used a form of one of the following:argue (Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision)),-or-dispute (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised English Bible)) For example:

when the two of them were arguing about the body of Moses. (Contemporary English Version)

Look for the most natural way in your language to translate the idea that these two Greek verbs express. In the Display, only one verb is used.

the devil: Jude referred to Satan, the leader of the fallen angels, as the devil here. The devil is the chief enemy of God and the most evil spiritual being.

did not presume: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as presume means “to be bold enough [to do something].” In this context Michael was not “bold enough” to judge the devil because he knew that only the Lord had that authority.

The text does not imply that Michael would have judged the devil if he were bolder. Nor does the text imply that Michael was afraid of the devil. Rather, it meant that Michael refused to use authority which belonged only to the Lord. Another way to say this is:

did not dare to condemn him…by judging the devil.

to bring a slanderous charge: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to bring a slanderous charge is literally, “to pronounce a judgment of blasphemy.” Scholars have different opinions about who was blaspheming here and against whom the blasphemy was made. Three ways to interpret this phrase are:

(1) It means that Michael did not dare to judge the devil or condemn him. Only the Lord had that authority. If Michael had done it, that would have been blasphemy against the Lord. For example:

Michael didn’t dare to hand down a judgment against the devil. (God’s Word)
-or-
Not even…Michael…dared to judge the devil guilty. (New Century Version)

(God’s Word, New Century Version, UBS Handbook) (Jude meant that Michael did not dare to condemn the devil, because pronouncing judgment against the devil would be blasphemy against the Lord. For anyone besides the Lord to make this kind of judgment is, by nature, blasphemy. Apparently, that is the reason why the New Century Version and God’s Word make blasphemy implicit in their translations. See also the discussion of Jude 9 in the UBS Handbook Handbook.)

(2) It means that Michael did not dare to slander (“blaspheme”) the devil. (Some scholars reject interpretation (2), because the devil was actually guilty. Therefore, even if Michael had condemned the devil, it would not have been slander against him.) For example:

Michael did not dare condemn the Devil with insulting words…. (Good News Translation)

(Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation)

(3) It implies that the devil had committed slander (“blasphemy”), probably against Moses, (Jude contrasted the fake Christians in verse 8 with the archangel Michael, not the devil. The similar passage, 2 Peter 2:11, uses the adjectival form of the word “blasphemy.” Therefore, it is more likely that 2 Peter speaks of a “blasphemous judgment,” not a “judgment for blasphemy.” If the point of comparison is similar in Jude, this favors interpretation (1) over interpretation (3).) but Michael did not dare to accuse him. For example:

Michael…did not dare accuse Satan of blasphemy. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

(New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Michael refused to do what the fake Christians were doing (8d), that is, blaspheme against God.

against him: The phrase against him is implied information. It does not translate a particular word or phrase in the Greek text of Jude 9. If it is not necessary in your language, you do not need to make it explicit in your translation.

but said: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but said introduce what Michael did in contrast to what he would not do (9c). Indicate this contrast in a natural way in your language.

The Lord rebuke you!: Since only God had the authority to judge and punish the devil, Michael left it to The Lord to do it. Although the Greek expression used here is often translated as a wish or request, (Jude probably used the optative to show Michael’s great respect for God. Michael does not even give the impression that he is telling the Lord what to do. It is the Lord’s prerogative alone to decide whom he will condemn and how he will punish him. Another way to translate this is: “Only the Lordmay condemn you.”) Michael did not doubt that The Lord would condemn the devil. The Contemporary English Version makes it clear that Michael was sure that the Lord would do this.

All Michael said was, “The Lord will punish you!”

The Lord: Here, The Lord refers to Jesus Christ. (At the time that Michael and the devil had this debate, the Christ (Messiah) was not yet incarnate.)

rebuke: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rebuke often means “reprimand.” (“Reprimand” means to speak severely to someone because that person did something wrong.) In this verse it seems to have a harsher meaning, such as “condemn” or “punish.” See the Contemporary English Version example in the note above.

General Comment on 9a–d

In some languages, this verse will sound more natural if the order of the parts is changed. For example:

^9aBut even the archangel Michael ^9cwould not usurp the Lord’s authority by condemning the devil. ^9dInstead Michael said, “The Lord will punish you.” ^9bThis happened when Michael contended with the devil and disputed with him about whether it was right for Michael to bury the body of Moses.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:20

Section 20–23

Jude encouraged believers to trust God and to help other people to trust him

In verses 20–21 Jude told his readers to keep experiencing God’s love for them (21a), while waiting for Jesus to give them eternal life (21b–c). They were to do this by depending more and more on the truth that Christians believe (20b), and by praying with the help of the Holy Spirit (20c).

In verses 22–23 Jude told his readers how they were to act toward three types of people. (Jude instructed the Christians to:(a) show mercy to people who were uncertain about what to believe,(b) quickly rescue those who were beginning to follow the fake Christians,(c) while being very careful, show mercy to those who were already following these fake Christians.) The fake Christians were harming these people through their false teaching and the sinful things that they did.

Paragraph 20–21

Jude wanted his readers to continue in fellowship with God, as they waited to experience the eternal life that Jesus had provided for them.

20–21

building yourselves up…praying…keep: The Greek verbs that the Berean Standard Bible translates as building…up (20b) and praying (20c) relate to keep in Jude 21a. Scholars have different views about exactly how these words relate to keep. (Scholars have different opinions concerning the relationship of the participles in verse 20 to the main verb in verse 21, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as “keep.” Some scholars and versions interpret these participles as imperatives, because the main verb is imperative. Others interpret them as attendant circumstance, and still others as means.) The Notes takes the view that they express the means by which Jude’s readers could keep themselves in God’s love. The NET Bible says: (The NET Bible contains the following note for verse 20.“The participles in v. 20 have been variously interpreted. Some treat them imperativally or as attendant circumstance to the imperative in v. 21 (‘maintain’): ‘build yourselves up…pray.’ But they do not follow the normal contours of either the imperatival or attendant circumstance participles, rendering this unlikely. A better option is to treat them as the means by which the readers are to maintain themselves in the love of God. This both makes eminently good sense and fits the structural patterns of instrumental participles elsewhere.”)

²⁰But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹maintain yourselves in the love of God…. (NET Bible)

In some languages, it may be necessary to reorder parts of verses 20 and 21 in order to express means. For example, it may be more natural for the verb keep to come before these two verbs. A general comment on 20–21 at the end of the notes for 21b–c gives examples.

20a

But you, beloved: The Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as But you, beloved are the same words that begin 17a.

These words begin a new section. They indicate that what Jude said in verses 20–21 was especially important.

But you: The Greek word de that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as But shows that this paragraph contrasts with the paragraph that precedes it.

The pronoun you is emphatic and implies a contrast between the fake Christians and Jude’s readers.

beloved: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as beloved was a normal way for Jude to address Christian friends whom he loved. It is used in the same way in 3a and 17a. See the note on 17a.

20b

by building yourselves up in your most holy faith: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as building…up is literally “building…upon.” (This idiom may have well have been focusing on the foundation that was built upon, rather than on the exact nature of the building that was built upon it. Some versions make the building metaphor more explicit, by adding “foundation.” Their faith was something to build upon, like a foundation. This corresponds well with the case of the noun, pistei, which is dative.) The word can be used in a literal way to refer to constructing a building on a foundation. In this verse it is used in a figurative way. It implies that the Christians should use their holy faith as the foundation or basis for their lives (for their thoughts and actions).

In some languages a literal translation of the figure of speech may not be clear. Other ways to express the idea are:

by building your lives on the foundation of your holy faith.
-or-
use your most holy faith to grow. (God’s Word)
-or-
by depending on your most holy faith as the basis for your lives.

building yourselves up: This was a metaphor. It was based on constructing a building. In the New Testament, this metaphor was commonly used. However, it had been used so much by Jude’s time that the saying probably had a set meaning. (It had become a “dead metaphor.”) In that case, people may have no longer thought of constructing an actual building. In many languages it may be best to express the meaning here without the metaphor of building. For example:

By using your most holy faith to grow…
-or-
By trusting even more the most holy truths that you believe…

building…up: The form of the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as building…up indicates that the action should be continuing. (The same is true for the other participles and verbs in this paragraph.) It was something that Jude wanted his readers to keep doing; it was not an action that they would do only once. Some ways to indicate this in English are:

continue to build… (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
keep building… (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages, as in Greek, there is a verb form that indicates that an action is continuing. Look for the most natural way in your language to express this idea.

As stated in the note on 20–21, in this context building…up expresses a means or way by which Jude’s readers could keep themselves in God’s love (21a).

yourselves: Scholars interpret yourselves in different ways in this context:

(1) Jude meant that each individual Christian should build himself or herself up.

(2) Jude meant that the Christians were to build each other up.

If your language requires you to distinguish between these two interpretations, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). (While interpretation (1) may have been Jude’s primary meaning here, he certainly would have favored building others up as well.)

in your most holy faith: In some languages, it may be more natural to translate this idea without using a preposition like in or “on.” For example:

by continuing to use your most holy faith to build your lives
-or-
by basing your life/actions/thought more and more on the true teachings that you believe

your…faith: Here, your…faith refers to the true Christian teachings that Jude’s readers had been taught. The Greek form that the Berean Standard Bible translates as your is plural. As Christians, this faith was something that they all believed.

most holy faith: Jude described their faith as most holy, because:

(a) God (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.) is holy, and God had revealed this faith to them.

(b) This faith was about how God saved us by providing a holy sacrifice for our sins, Jesus Christ.

Jude was not comparing their faith to other faiths here. He was expressing the unique holiness of their faith. Other ways to translate most holy faith are:

most sacred faith (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the truth about God that you believe
-or-
the unique beliefs that you received from God

20c

and praying in the Holy Spirit: The note on 20–21 mentioned that the verb praying is related to the verb “keep” in 21a. Praying in the Holy Spirit was a means/way by which Jude’s readers were to keep themselves in God’s love (21a).

Praying in the Holy Spirit implies that they should be praying with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Two ways to translate this are:

pray with the Holy Spirit helping/directing you.
-or-
praying with the Holy Spirit as your guide.

praying: The form of the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as praying indicates that the action should be continuing. (The same is true for the other participles and verbs in this paragraph.) Jude meant for his readers to continue to pray. Refer to the note on “building…up” in 20b. For example:

by continuing to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:10

In this verse, there is a contrast between 10a and 10b–c. (In the Greek text of this verse, there is a men–de relationship between 10a and 10b–c. In English, men–de is often defined as “on the one hand”…“on the other hand.” None of the English versions make this explicit in their translation. This form, when used in English, usually marks some kind of contrast. In this verse, however, both the men and the de reinforce Jude’s point, that is, the sinfulness of the fake Christians. The contrast relates to their response to what (men) they do not understand (10a) and to what (de) they do understand (10b–c). In both cases they act sinfully.) This contrast is between the response of the fake Christians to what they did not understand and their response to what they did understand. Be sure to express this contrast clearly in your translation.

10a

These men, however: The Greek pronoun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as These men refers here to the fake Christians whom Jude mentioned in verses 4 and 8a. This pronoun did not necessarily refer only to males. Many English versions use a more general expression. For example:

But these people… (Good News Translation)

For another note that talks about this matter, see “certain men” in 4a.

however: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as however indicates a contrast between this verse and verse 9. In this verse, Jude contrasted the sinful ways of the fake Christians with Michael (verse 9), who respected the Lord. Jude described these people as being like unthinking animals.

slander: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as slander is literally “blaspheme.” Forms of this word were also used in 8d and 9c, where the Berean Standard Bible translates them as “slander” and “slanderous.” Here in verse 10, the word is used in a general way. It should be translated with a general expression that could apply to either God or people. (In English, “blaspheme” would generally apply to a deity, and “slander” to other personal beings, such as angels, human beings, and possibly Jesus according to his human nature.) For example:

speak against
-or-
speak disrespectfully about
-or-
slight

what they do not understand: Jude was probably not referring here to any one thing in particular that these people did not understand. (English versions that support this interpretation include: Berean Standard Bible, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New American Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation.) The people spoke against anything that they did not understand. (The Contemporary English Version disagrees. It seems to say that Jude was speaking specifically about the insulting of angels (see also verse 8 in the Contemporary English Version, specifically 8d). Here in 10a, the Contemporary English Version says: “But these people insult powers they don’t know anything about.”) For example, they did not understand the Lord, the gospel message, divine authority, morality, and many other things. (The fake Christians probably claimed to have special knowledge, perhaps from their dreams. Here and later in this verse, Jude disagreed with their claim to have special understanding.) Ways to translate this include:

But these people abuse anything they do not understand (New Jerusalem Bible).
-or-
But these people mock and curse the things they do not understand (New Living Translation (2004 Revision)).
-or-
These people, however, speak disrespectfully against whatever and whomever they do not understand.

10b

like irrational animals: In general, animals do not reason or think about most things. They follow their natural desires. If they are hungry, they eat. If they are tired, they sleep. If it is time to mate, then they mate. Jude was implying that some of the desires that these people followed were sinful desires. They followed these desires without thinking about the consequences of their actions. The note on 10c discusses this further.

Other ways to say this are:

like senseless animals (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
like animals that do not reason

10c

they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively: Jude indicates that these fake Christians were destroying themselves by doing the things that they knew by instinct. They probably did this by following their instincts in sinful ways, such as by committing sexual sins or gluttony. By such actions, they would cause the Lord to destroy them.

they will be destroyed: There is implied information here about the way that these people would be destroyed. Their sinful actions would cause the Lord to judge and punish them. The destruction would not be only the natural results of their actions, such as troubles or disease. In some languages it may be necessary to make the Lord’s role explicit. For example:

10b–cand when like animals they act on what they do understand by instinct, they cause the Lord to destroy them.

the things they do instinctively: Although there are many things that the fake Christians did not understand (10a), Jude said that they did understand some things. They understood these things instinctively. The things people do instinctively include natural urges like eating, sleeping, and having sexual relations.

instinctively: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as instinctively refers to what people naturally know to do. They understand these things, because doing them is according to their nature.

Some languages may not have a single word for instinctively. If this is true in your language, you may be able to say something like:

without thinking
-or-
according to their natural way(s)

Animals live instinctively, so Jude compared what these fake Christians do to animals, as described in the next note.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:21

In this verse, Jude told his readers to maintain/keep themselves in God’s love, using the means that he described in verse 20. They were to continue to do this as they waited for the Lord, Jesus Christ, to return so that they could live forever with him.

21a

keep yourselves in the love of God: This clause means “continue to experience God’s love.” It indicates that Jude’s readers should always remember that God loves them. They should live in such a way that they enjoy that knowledge. They should not do anything that would hinder them from experiencing his love or from receiving his blessings. Some ways to translate this are:

maintain yourselves in God’s love.
-or-
keep experiencing God’s love for you.
-or-
always remain in God’s love for you.

keep: Jude frequently used the Greek verb tēreō, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as keep. He used a form of tēreō in 1f, 6a, 6c, 13d (where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “reserved”), and here in 21a. It was possible for Jude to use one verb in all these contexts in Greek because tēreō could be used in many different ways.

In other languages, including English, it may not be natural or possible to use the same verb in all these contexts. In each context, you should use a verb that expresses the meaning in a natural way.

the love of God: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as love of God in this context probably refers to God’s love for them, rather than to their love for God. (Some English versions indicate this explicitly, including Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Century Version, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Jerusalem Bible, and New Living Translation (2004 Revision). English versions which are ambiguous are: Berean Standard Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Revised Standard Version, and Good News Translation.). Here is another way to translate this verse part:

Live in such a way that God’s love can bless you. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

The phrase love of God is then parallel in meaning to “the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ” in 21c. These two phrases together are similar in meaning to what Jude wrote in 1e and 1f:

loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ:

21b–c

as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life: A literal translation of 21b–c is: “anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” It can be difficult in English to show how the ideas in 21b–c are related to each other, and English versions differ in the ways they translate them. It may be easier to understand the meaning if the ideas are expressed in a different order. For example:

^21cOur Lord Jesus Christ is merciful to you. Because of his mercy, he will give you eternal life. ^21bYou are expecting/waiting-for him to do that.

Below are some ways that English versions have expressed the meaning. Notice that in each version a different idea follows the verb. These ideas are underlined.

as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy to give you eternal life. (Good News Translation)
-or-
as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
as you look forward to the day when our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy will give you eternal life.

These are not different interpretations. Instead, they are different ways to express the same interpretation in a clear and natural way. Use a natural way to express the idea in your language. (For example, in English, the objects “Jesus Christ” and “the day” are most natural when a form of the verb “wait” is used. The objects “eternal life” and “the day” work well in English with “look forward to.” However, while “the mercy” follows the form of the Greek wording, it is less natural with these verbs in English.)

as you await: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you await is related to the verb “keep” in Jude 21a. Scholars have different views about exactly how it relates to this verb:

(1) It relates to the time of the verb “keep.” The action of the verb (await) happens at the same time as the action “keep.” For example:

keep…as you wait (Good News Translation)
-or-
maintain…while anticipating (NET Bible)
-or-
Remain…as you look for (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Good News Translation)

(2) It is another command, like the verb “keep.” The waiting was another thing that Jude told his readers to do. For example:

keep…and wait for (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Keep…and look forward to (Revised English Bible)

(Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), as the majority of the English versions do.

A general comment on 21b–c at the end of these notes for 21b–c gives suggestions for how to relate the parts of 21b–c to each other in a translation.

await:

In the Bible, waiting and anticipation are often associated with the end times, and that is true here. Jude already referred to the end times in verses
6e and 14c–15.) In this context, the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as await means “expect” or “anticipate.” The English expression await is also used here with that meaning.

the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ: The mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ is the kindness that Jesus would show toward Jude’s readers. He would show this mercy to them specifically by giving them eternal life when he returned.

mercy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mercy is also discussed in a note for verse 2.

our Lord Jesus Christ: Jude used the phrase our Lord Jesus Christ to indicate the relationship that he and his readers had with their master Jesus Christ. This same phrase is also used in 4f and 17b.

to bring you eternal life: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as to bring you eternal life is literally, “to/for eternal life.” The English versions have supplied a verb, (For example, the Berean Standard Bible supplied to bring. Many English versions supply the verb “give.” (Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), Revised English Bible, Good News Translation). When considering whether a verb such as “give” should be supplied as implied information, you may wish to make sure that it does not imply that believers do not, in any way, have eternal life during their time on earth, because in one sense they do (John 3:36, John 5:24, and John 6:47).) because it is required in English for the translation to be natural and clear.

eternal life: Here, eternal life is life that never ends. Jesus made eternal life possible by paying the penalty for people’s sins when he suffered and died on the cross. In one sense, Christians receive eternal life when they first believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. However, in another sense, they will experience it fully only when Jesus returns. Then they will be transformed, and there will no longer be any sin or death.

Here Jude was talking about this time when Jesus returns. (Here eternal life refers specifically to the life without end that believers experience following the resurrection of the dead that will take place when Jesus returns.) It is not recommended that you include such details in your translation.

General Comment on 21b–c

A translator must determine the best way to write about the connection that Jude intended to express between his readers “awaiting,” “Jesus Christ,” “mercy,” and “eternal life.” The ways that English versions have expressed this may not fit your language. Here are some examples of other ways to express the relationship between the parts of 21b–c:

as you wait to be transformed in order to live forever, because our Lord Jesus Christ had mercy on us(incl).
-or-
as you look forward to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then you will enjoy the life that does not end, because he is compassionate toward us(incl).

General Comment on 20–21

In English, this paragraph sounds more natural if its parts are reordered so that the main verb (Berean Standard Bible: “keep”) comes before the verbs of verse 20 (Berean Standard Bible: “building…up” and “praying”). Here are examples of how this might be done:

^20a But you, my dear friends, ^21a you should maintain yourselves in God’s love. ^20b Do this by building your lives upon the foundation of the uniquely holy truths that you believe, ^20c and by praying with the Holy Spirit as your guide, ^21b as you wait ^21cto live forever because of the mercy our Lord Jesus Christ shows us.
-or-
^20a My friends, ^21a continue to experience God’s love for you. ^20b Do this by basing your lives more and more on the most sacred truths you have believed ^20c and by praying with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. ^21b Keep doing this while you wait ^21cfor the day when our Lord, Jesus Christ, will return. Then you will live forever, because he had mercy on us.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:11

Paragraph 11–13

In this paragraph, Jude compared the fake Christians to three men from the Old Testament (verse 11). These three men were Cain, Balaam, and Korah. They were famous because they had sinned greatly. Jude used these three men to show that the Lord would condemn the fake Christians, because they had sinned like these three men had sinned. Jude also illustrated the wickedness of the fake Christians by comparing them to objects from nature (verses 12–13).

In this verse, Jude used a style of writing called a “woe oracle.” (Woe oracles are common in the Old Testament and in the Gospels. Writers used them to announce punishment for sin, and that was Jude’s purpose here.) This woe oracle has three parts. They are:

(a) the woe,

(b) the sins committed,

11a

Woe to them!: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as Woe to them is often used in the Bible when people are in trouble because of their sin(s). Ways to translate this include:

How terrible it will be for them! (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
They are doomed.
-or-
Trouble is coming to them.
-or-
Their sins doom them.

11b

The Greek text of 11b begins with the conjunction, hoti. Here this conjunction means “because.” It introduces the reasons that the fake Christians would be judged and punished.

Many English versions, (English versions that make hoti implicit here include: Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Century Version, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Good News Translation.) like the Berean Standard Bible, do not use a connector here. Instead, they make the connection implicit. If you translate hoti, try to make it clear that it connects 11a with 11b–d, not just with 11b. The New Jerusalem Bible shows one way to translate this connection:

^11aAlas for them, ^11b–dbecause they have followed Cain…. (New Jerusalem Bible)

They have traveled the path of Cain: In the Bible, words like path, “road,” or “way” often refer to the type of life that a person lives, that is, to his behavior. So They have traveled the path of Cain means:

they have chosen to behave like Cain.

In Genesis chapter 4, Cain and his brother Abel offered sacrifices to God. God accepted Abel’s sacrifice, but he did not accept Cain’s sacrifice. Because of this, Cain became very angry and murdered his brother. Although Cain’s sin of murder was emphasized, he became known more generally to the Jews as someone who was selfish and who led others to sin. (Cain is mentioned in the New Testament in 1 John 3:12 as an example that we should not follow. Non-biblical Jewish literature also used Cain as an example of sinful behavior.)

Jude used Cain as an example of someone who sinned throughout his life, so your translation should not be too specific. A translation should not say or imply that Jude was referring only to Cain’s murder of his brother Abel. The idea here is of a lifetime of sin. Ways to say this include:

because they behave/live wickedly like Cain did.
-or-
because they sin the way Cain did.

If the people who will read your translation do not know who Cain is, you can tell them more about him in a footnote or perhaps in a glossary.

11c

they have rushed headlong: The fake Christians were eager to get what they wanted, and this made them very willing to sin. (Several English versions use rushed to describe the complete willingness of these fake Christians to sin in order to get what they wanted (Berean Standard Bible, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New American Standard Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision)).) In fact, the Greek expression literally indicates that they were “carried along” by the sin. This is a figure of speech, and in some languages there may be other figures to express this idea. Other ways to express it in English include:

they have plunged into (Revised English Bible)
-or-
abandon themselves to (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
they have given themselves (New Century Version, Good News Translation)

If your language has a special way to speak about a person who does something without hesitation and without holding himself back, you may want to use it here.

into the error of Balaam: Balaam was a prophet (Balaam is identified as a prophet in 2 Peter 2:15–16.) who lived during the time of Moses (Numbers 22–24 and Deuteronomy 23:3–6). He was not an Israelite. The leaders of Moab and Midian, (According to Numbers 22:7, the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went to Balaam.) who were enemies of the Israelites, hired Balaam to curse the Israelites.

God did not allow Balaam to curse the Israelites, so the leaders did not pay Balaam. Because he wanted money, Balaam made a new plan. He told the enemies of the Israelites to send their women to seduce the Israelite men to sin sexually and worship idols (Numbers chapter 25 and Numbers 31:16). Many Israelite men sinned with these women. Later, the Israelites killed Balaam (Numbers 31:8).

error: Balaam’s greed caused his error. His error was sinful, not an error that he made by accident. His error has two main aspects:

(a) His error was the wrong he did, that he led others to sin. For example:

for money they have given themselves to doing the wrong that Balaam did. (New Century Version)

(b) His error was his wrong thinking. His desire for money led him to make the mistake of going against God. (He paid a big price for this mistake—death (Numbers 31:8).) For example:

they have thrown themselves into the same delusion as Balaam for a reward. (New Jerusalem Bible)

The fake Christians erred just like Balaam had erred.

One way to translate 11c that includes both aspects is:

They have wholeheartedly given themselves over to sin. Because they are greedy for money like Balaam was, they have made the mistake that he made of leading other people to sin.

11d

they have perished: The Berean Standard Bible has used a passive verb here. However, the Greek text could also be translated literally as “they have destroyed themselves.” By their rebellion, the fake Christians caused their own destruction. Other ways to say this are:

they have…destroyed themselves (God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
they have been ruined by the same rebellion as Korah—and share the same fate. (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Lord is the one who would punish the fake Christians, but this verse focuses on their sinful actions. However, in some languages it may be more natural to use a passive verb. (For translators working in a language that does not use passive verbs, it is especially appropriate to use a reflexive translation like “they have destroyed themselves.” Such a translation would not require a translator to specify “the Lord” or “God” as an agent, thus shifting the focus of the verse away from the motivation and actions of the fake Christians. None of the English versions used in these Notes have changed the expression to an active one in such a way.) For example:

they will…be destroyed (Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
-or-
they will…perish (NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

have perished: Jude spoke here as though they had already been destroyed or perished. However, he did not mean that the fake Christians had already been punished or had died. Instead, the verb form he used indicates that they had made their destruction certain (The thought is similar to the English idiomatic expression, “They are as good as dead.”) by disobeying God. In some languages it may be more natural to use a future tense. For example:

And like Korah, they will perish because of their rebellion. (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

in Korah’s rebellion: Korah, along with some other Israelite men, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron (Numbers chapter 16). By rebelling against the leaders whom God had chosen, Korah and his followers were rebelling against God himself. (God gave just Aaron and his sons the privilege of being priests, and God assigned just the Levites to serve in his house. Korah and his followers rebelled, by saying that Israelites from other tribes and families could also do these things.) God destroyed the leaders of this rebellion by causing the earth to open up and “swallow” them alive. He also sent fire from heaven to destroy the people who followed Korah and the other leaders.

rebellion: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rebellion does not refer to an armed or military conflict. Instead, it refers to disobedience. Korah disobeyed the Lord and also led other people to disobey him. The fake Christians that Jude wrote about also disobeyed the Lord and influenced others to disobey him.

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SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:22

Paragraph 22–23

In this paragraph, Jude told his readers to help three groups of people (In order to translate 22–23, a translator needs to decide how many different types of people Jude told his readers to help here. The English versions translate as follows:(1) Jude meant three types of people (Berean Standard Bible, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version (2011 Revision), New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation).(2) Jude meant two types of people (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, King James Version).(3) The number is not clearly defined (Contemporary English Version).It is recommended that you translate according to interpretation (1), that Jude here wrote about three distinct types of people influenced by the fake Christians.) whom the fake Christians had influenced by their false teaching and sinful living.

The order in which Jude mentioned these three types of people relates to the amount of influence the fake Christians had on each type. Their false teaching and sinful living had influenced the first type less than the second type, and the second type less than the third type.

have mercy: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have mercy means “to be kind and compassionate.” Jude wanted his readers to have mercy by helping these people.

Jude used the noun form of this word in verses 2 and 21b–c.

on those who doubt: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as those who doubt refers to people in the church who were confused about what to believe. The church leaders taught God’s true message, but the fake Christians spoke and acted contrary to this true teaching.

Ways to translate this include:

those people who do not know what to believe
-or-
those people whose faith is wavering
-or-
those people who have doubts

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Source: SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 2007

SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:8

SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:19

SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:9

SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:20

SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:10

SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:21

SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:11

SIL Translator's Notes on Jude 1:22

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