What does Jude 1:17 mean?
Jude has been writing to describe the danger posed by false teachers and apostates. In the prior passage, Jude laid out both their sins and the danger those errors posed. Not only do such unbelievers put themselves under eternal judgment (Jude 1:13), they also pose a spiritual risk to the Christians they associate with (Jude 1:12).In this verse Jude reminds his readers that the apostles had predicted the emergence of false teachers. Unlike the false teachers who served only themselves, the apostles were committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. He was their Master (Lord), Savior (Jesus), and Messiah (Christ).
The word Christ is really a title, derived from a Greek term christos, meaning "anointed one." This, is turn is a translation of the Hebrew term meshiach. This refers to Jesus' position as God's anointed prophet, priest, and king.
The apostles' predictions about the rise of false teachers can be found throughout the New Testament (Acts 20:29–30; 1 Timothy 4:1–3; 2 Timothy 3:1–9, 13; 2 Peter 2:1–3; 3:1–7). Jude's deep concern for his readers contrasts sharply with the false teachers' concern for only themselves.
Jude 1:17–23 lays out Jude's plan of action for recognizing, resisting, and defeating apostates. Prior verses were devoted to explaining how, and why, these false teachers were dangerous. Those who followed their examples were bound for eternal judgment. Here, Jude provides a means to avoid these liars, as well as their fate.
Jude's brief letter describes men at their worst and God at His best. Believers are already on the victorious side! Those who mock God's truth and who follow their own desires all while claiming to be Christians, are the most dangerous kind of unbelievers. These persons pose a danger to themselves and to any Christians they might influence. In response, Christians need to focus on understanding the truth of God's written Word and submitting to His will.
