Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Word of God

Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God
Matthew 4:4

The Epistle of Jude 1:5
Study notes by John Gill
Edited/Prefaced by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades

5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, forasmuch as ye once knew this, how that the Lord, after that he had delivered the people out of Egypt, destroyed them afterward which believed not.

Brethren:

The Apostle herein refers to Exodus 12:51. Also we should consider the warnings of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:5-12 in so far as not to emulate those who not only believed not, but who in turn after being saved in Eygt became idolaters, lovers of flesh instead of lovers of God. Ending with a warning and admonishing us that we should take heed of ourselves by thinking that we’re standing strong when we can easily fall. Let our salvation be sure, yet always remain seeking to strengthen it at all times. - Dr. R.V.Z

The Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin version, read, ‘knew all things’; but rather it is to be restrained by the following instance of, God's vengeance on unbelievers; which with others is produced, to vindicate the divine conduct in the condemnation of the above persons, and to show that that is certain, and may be expected, since God has always dealt thus with such persons; and this they knew by reading of the Scriptures; at least they had known it once, though it might now be forgotten by them; and they had known it once for all; they had been perfectly acquainted with it; which is said, lest the apostle should be thought to write to persons ignorant, and rude in knowledge, and to show that he wrote nothing new and unheard of, and so should have the more weight and influence upon them; and he thought fit to remind them of it, though they had known it: it is one part of the work of the ministers of the word to put people in mind of what they have known; which is necessary, because of the inattentiveness of hearers, their forgetfulness, and loss of knowledge, and the weakness of some capacities to take in, and retain things; and if the judgment is not more informed hereby, yet the affections may be afresh raised, and grace be drawn out into exercise, and the mind be established and confirmed.

The people of Israel, who were the chosen people of God, a special people, above all others, and had peculiar privileges; these the Lord brought out of the land of Egypt, with an high hand, and a mighty arm, and saved them out of their bondage, and delivered out of their oppressions and afflictions.

And yet, though they were a special people, and notwithstanding this wonderful deliverance, and great salvation, he afterward destroyed them that believed not; their carcasses fell in the wilderness by one judgment or another upon them. This shows the evil nature of unbelief; and that God will not suffer sin to go unobserved in any; no outward privileges and profession will screen any from divine vengeance. God sometimes makes severe examples of mere nominal professors; nor must false teachers, deniers of Christ, and perverters of his Gospel, expect to go free: moreover, it may be observed, that God may do great things for persons, and yet after all destroy them; great riches and honours may be conferred on some, great natural gifts on others; some may seem as if they had the grace of God, and were brought out of spiritual Egypt, and enjoy great mercies and favours, and have many deliverances wrought for them, and yet at last perish.” - John Gill - Theologian

The far greater part of that very people whom he had once saved. Let none therefore presume upon past mercies, as if he was now out of danger.” - John Wesley - Theologian

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