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 1:12

Study notes by John Gill

Edited/Prefaced by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades

10 But these speak evil of those things, which they know not: and whatsoever things they know naturally as beasts, which are without reason, in those things they corrupt themselves.

Brethren:

Consider likewise the words of the Apostle Peter who also in his second epistle (2 Peter 2:12)compared these types to animals, brutish beasts, fit only for eternal damnation for they speak evil of that which they do not understand. - Dr. R.V.Z

“Man originally had a large share of natural knowledge, and there is in man still, notwithstanding the fall, by which his knowledge is impaired, a natural knowledge of God, and of things natural, civil, and moral; and there is a sensitive knowledge in man, which he has in common with the brutes, and which is here meant: and such was the brutish sensuality of these men, that in those things they corrupt themselves; and act as brute beasts without shame and fear; yea, worse than brute beasts, as in the acts of unnatural lust, whereby they corrupt both their souls and bodies, and so shall be destroyed, and perish in their corruption.

As such they treated God’s word with contempt and the ministers of the Gospel with the same contempt, whose usefulness was not known, at least not acknowledged by them, and so became the object of their scorn and reproach: or it may refer more generally to the Scriptures, which false teachers are ignorant of, and yet speak evil of; either by denying them to be the Word of God, or by putting false glosses on them; and so to the several parts of the Scriptures, as to the law, the nature, use, and end of which they are not acquainted with; and therefore blaspheme it, by not walking according to it, or by denying it to be of God, and to be good, or by making the observance of it necessary to justification and salvation; and also to the Gospel, the doctrines and ordinances of it, which they speak evil of, despise and reject, not knowing the nature, value, and design of them.” - John Gill

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

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 1:3-4

Study notes by John Gill

Edited/Prefaced by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, to exhort you, that ye should earnestly contend for the maintenance of the faith, which was once given unto the Saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in, which were before of old ordained to this condemnation: ungodly men they are, which turn the grace of our God into wantonness, and deny God the only Lord, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Brethren:

On occasion during the course of our studies references to various scripture contained within the Epistle of Jude. Indeed at least once the entire Epistle was posted for your consideration to mediated upon. However up until today we have not actually made an in depth study. So let us now proceed upon such a study with diligence along with an open heart and mind.

Above, the Apostle Jude speaks upon the infiltration of those that would pervert the faith, use the Gospel to as a cloak for acts of ungodliness, thereby turning the redemption of those that believe into unrighteousness, and in the end deny the very god they pretend to serve.

It should be noted that the Apostle Paul in various epistles likewise wrote concerning the same topic; that is to say the perversion of the Word of God for self serving ends. These men, these people are as he wrote are; “ speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” (See 1 Timothy 4:2).

Both Apostles, tell their flocks to not only avoid such people, but to openly condemn them and make them known to others so as not to be entrapped by their lies. - Dr. R.V.Z

“These words contain a reason why the doctrine of faith should be contended for, because of false teachers, who are described as being then upon the spot; the Apostles Peter and Paul had foretold that they would come, but Jude here speaks of them as in being; wherefore present rigor and vigilance were necessary to be used: their names are not mentioned, nor their number, only that there were ‘certain’, or ‘some men’; which is done to stir up the saints to self-examination, whether they were in the faith; to diligence, in finding out these men; to vigor, in opposing them; and to care, to nip error and heresy in the bud: and they are said to have ‘crept in unawares’: either into private houses, as was the custom of those men; or into the churches, and become members of them being the tares the enemy sows among the wheat; or into the ministry, assuming that office to themselves, without being called and sent of God; and so into the public assemblies of the saints, spreading their poisonous doctrines among them; and also into their affections, until discovered; and so the Ethiopic version reads here, ‘because ungodly men have entered into your hearts’; and all this was at an unawares, privily, secretly, without any thought about them, or suspicion of them. All men are by nature ungodly, some are notoriously so, and false teachers are generally such; here it signifies such who are destitute of the fear of God, and of all internal devotion, and powerful godliness; and who did not worship God externally, according to his institutions and appointments, and much less sincerely, and in a spiritual manner; and who even separated themselves from the true worshippers of God, and gave themselves up to sensuality, and therefore their condemnation was just” - John Gill - Theologian

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 James 5:12

(Study notes by Matthew Henry 

Edited/Prefaced by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades)

12 But before all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay, lest ye fall into condemnation.

Brethren:

Read also the Gospel of Matthew 5:34-37 and Colossians 4:6 - Dr. R.V.Z

“Above all things, swear not; but how many are there who mind this the least of all things, and who make light of nothing so much as common profane swearing! But why above all things is swearing here forbidden? Because it strikes most directly at the honour of God and most expressly throws contempt upon his name and authority. Because this sin has, of all sins, the least temptation to it: it is not gain, nor pleasure, nor reputation, that can move men to it, but a wantonness in sinning, and a needless showing an enmity to God. Thy enemies take thy name in vain, (See Psalm 139:20). This is a proof of men’s being enemies to God, however they may pretend to call themselves by his name, or sometimes to compliment him in acts of worship. Because it is with most difficulty left off when once men are accustomed to it, therefore it should above all things be watched against. And, ‘Above all things swear not, for how can you expect the name of God should be a strong tower to you in your distress if you profane it and play with it at other times?’ But (as Mr. Baxter observes) ‘all this is so far from forbidding necessary oaths that it is but to confirm them, by preserving the due reverence of them.’ And then he further notes that The true nature of an oath is, by our speech, to pawn the reputation of some certain or great thing, for the averring of a doubted less thing; and not (as is commonly held) an appeal to God or other judge. Hence it was that swearing by the heavens, and by the earth, and by the other oaths the apostle refers to, came to be in use. The Jews thought if they did but omit the great oath of Chi—Eloah, they were safe. But they grew so profane as to swear by the creature, as if it were God; and so advanced it into the place of God; while, on the other hand, those who swear commonly and profanely by the name of God do hereby put him upon the level with every common thing.

But let your yea be yea, and your nay nay; lest you fall into condemnation; that is, let it suffice you to affirm or deny a thing as there is occasion, and be sure to stand to your word, an be true to it, so as to give no occasion for your being suspected of falsehood; and then you will be kept from the condemnation of backing what you say or promise by rash oaths, and from profaning the name of God to justify yourselves. It is being suspected of falsehood that leads men to swearing. Let it be known that your keep to truth, and are firm to your word, and by this means you will find there is no need to swear to what you say. Thus shall you escape the condemnation which is expressly”

annexed to the third commandment: The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” - Matthew Henry

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 James 5:8

(Study notes by Matthew Henry Edited/Prefaced by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades)

8 Be ye also patient therefore, and settle your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth near.

Brethren:

What more can be added to the above scripture? Bear your burdens with humbleness, meekness and grace, face your trials with courage, resist temptations with the Word of God. - Dr. R.V.Z

“Consider well the meaning of these three expressions. Be patient —bear your afflictions without murmuring, your injuries without revenge; and, though God should not in any signal manner appear for you immediately, wait for him. The vision is for an appointed time; at the end it will speak, and will not lie; therefore wait for it. It is but a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Let your patience be lengthened out to long suffering;’’ so the word here used, makrothymesate, signifies. When we have done our work, we have need of patience to stay for our reward. This Christian patience is not a mere yielding to necessity, as the moral patience taught by some philosophers was, but it is a humble acquiescence in the wisdom and will of God, with an eye to a future glorious recompense: Be patient to the coming of the Lord. And because this is a lesson Christians must learn, though ever so hard or difficult to learn. Be you also patient. Establish your hearts —let your faith be firm, without wavering, your practice of what is good constant and continued, without tiring, and your resolutions for God and heaven fixed, in spite of all sufferings or temptations. The prosperity of the wicked and the affliction of the righteous have in all ages been a very great trial to the faith of the people of God. David tells us that his feet were almost gone, when he saw the prosperity of the wicked, (See Psalm 73:2 -3)Some of those Christians to whom St. James wrote might probably be in the same tottering condition; and therefore they are called upon to establish their hearts; faith and patience will establish the heart.” - Matthew Henry

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 James 4:17

(Study notes by Matthew Henry and John Gill

Edited/Prefaced by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades)

17 Therefore to him that knoweth how to do well, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Brethren:

The two main tenets of the entire Bible is to love God, and to love others. Who among us would not do good to another? In Scripture we read how even the most evil among us would do good to their own. Yet our Creator says to do good to all; those who would persecute us, those who would falsely accuse us, those that would cheat us, judge us, hurt us. If we cannot bless those that would curse us, what would we be? Certainly not the Christian men and women we would claim to be. - Dr. R.V.Z

“It is sinning with a witness; and it is to have the worst witness against his own conscience Observe: This stands immediately connected with the plain lesson of saying, If the Lord will, we shall do this or that; they might be ready to say, ‘This is a very obvious thing; who knows not that we all depend upon almighty God for life, and breath, and all things?’ Remember then, if you do know this, whenever you act unsuitably to such a dependence, that to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin, the greater sin. Omissions are sins which will come into judgment, as well as commissions. He that does not the good he knows should be done, as well as he who does the evil he knows should not be done, will be condemned. Let us therefore take care that conscience be rightly informed, and then that it be faithfully and constantly obeyed; for, if our own hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God; but if we say, We see, and do not act suitably to our sight, then our sin remaineth (See John 9:41)” - Matthew Henry

“This may regard not only the last particular of referring all things to the will of God, the sovereign disposer of life, and all events, which some might have the knowledge of in theory, though they did not practice according to it; but all the good things the apostle had exhorted to, and the contrary to which he had warned from, in this epistle; and suggests, that a Gnostic, or one that knows the will of God, in the several branches of it, revealed in his word. it is criminal in him that is ignorant of what is good, and does that which is evil, nor shall he escape punishment; but it is much more wicked in a man that knows what is right and good, and ought to be done, and does it not, but that which is evil, and his condemnation will be greater; (See Luke 12:47-48) . The omission of a known duty, as well as the commission of a known sin, is criminal.” - John Gill

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 James 4:10

(Study notes by Matthew Henry Edited/Prefaced by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades)

10 Cast down yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up

Brethren:

Herein, (in the GNV translation), we read to cast ourselves down. This is to say to kneel, or to bow down before Him. But it does not end there for when we are performing this act of submission it is to be done in the most humble of ways and of the most humble intents. Have we not read and learned that when we seek the things of the kingdom, that we are to approach in a humble spirit? Now it is true, that because we have an advocate, a mediator to the Father that we can boldly approach the throne room with confidence. However, that boldness is to not to be rash, nor reckless. It is instead to be simple with the expectation of being heard. - Dr. R.V.Z

“Humility of spirit is here required, as in the sight of him who looks principally at the spirits of men. Those that draw nigh to God in a way of duty shall find God drawing nigh to them in a way of mercy. Draw nigh to him in faith, and trust, and obedience, and he will draw nigh to you for your deliverance. If there be not a close communion between God and us, it is our fault, and not his. He shall lift up the humble. Thus much our Lord himself declared, He that shall humble himself shall be exalted, (See Matthew 23:12). If we be truly penitent and humble under the marks of God’s displeasure, we shall in a little time know the advantages of his favor; he will lift us up out of trouble, or he will lift us up in our spirits and comforts under trouble; he will lift us up to honor and safety in the world, or he will lift us up in our way to heaven, so as to raise our hearts and affections above the world. God will revive the spirit of the humble (See Isaiah 57:15), He will hear the desire of the humble (See Psalm 10:17), and he will at last lift them up to glory. Before honor is humility. The highest honor in heaven will be the reward of the greatest humility on earth.” - Matthew Henry