Hating the garment defiled by the flesh.

[Silent Enigma]

I was just curious how others interpret this.

Jude 22-23

22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
NKJV

First: How do you full someone out of the fire.
Second: How do you hate a garment.
Third: How is it defiled by the flesh since the OT ceremonial laws aren't in effect anymore.

 

[BBAS 64]

I was just curious how others interpret this.



First: How do you full someone out of the fire.
Second: How do you hate a garment.
Third: How is it defiled by the flesh since the OT ceremonial laws aren't in effect anymore.

Good Day, Silent

To better understand the context one must understand why this letter is written, as it is a call to contend for the Faith aganist the Gnostics vs #3.

Jude addresses 3 different groups with in the church.

Jud 1:19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

This is what the Gnostic where doing, and what they were.
Jud 1:20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit;

Jud 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Jude here reminds them to await the ultimate mercy.

Jud 1:22 And have mercy on those who doubt;

There was a group [1] of people who were un sure of the teaching of the Gnostics. these were probilty new believers that wavered and were un stable.


Jud 1:23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Group [2] these are the ones that should know better, they are entertaing these ideas, and are drawn like moths to the flame"fire", we are to "snatch' or to take by force in an urgent way. By rebuke or correction.

*** 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

*** 1:14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.


Group [3] Have gone the way of the Gnostics or indulged. For some reason have seen the erorr of that way. We are to have mercy with "fear" or caution.

Rember the Gnostics had claimed that sexual immorality was an pleasureable or glamorus thing and did not effect the soul of a person, only the flesh for pleasure. The garment word here is used to denote the "under Tunick" or under wear. That had been stained by the acts of the flesh "works of imorility" and was filthy not glamorus. It was the reason for the stain they were to hate the garments in that they showed the results of their teachings, it brought only filth and not pleasure as the Gnostics had believed.


Jud 1:24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

Jud 1:25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Hope that helps.


Peace to u,

Bill

 

[Matthan]

That sounds pretty good to me....

 

[BBAS 64]

That sounds pretty good to me....

Thank you, Matthan

 

[Silent Enigma]

Thanks for the reply. I think I remember reading something in the past about the gnostics and their view on sexual immorality and this ties right in.