JUDE 24-25

The endings to New Testament epistles come in all forms, but this particular conclusion is especially complete and meaningful. It has been variously characterized by scholars as “eloquent” (Arnold), “magnificent” (Wilkins), “fulsome” (Martin), “thrilling” (Green), and “grand and soul-stirring” (Reicke).

Pentecost says, “In this final paragraph Jude exploded with a most elevated doxology, answering the unexpressed question, 'But who will deliver us from the apostates and the apostasy into which they lead the unsuspecting?'...Here is the greatest theme of victory to be sounded, the highest note of praise and adoration possible, and the greatest assurance for the redeemed.”

And Wheaton adds: “After all these sad possibilities of error and apostasy Jude ends on the positive note of pointing his readers to the God who alone can keep them to the end of time and into eternity. With this glorious goal in view he ascribes all glory and might here and now to the God our Savior whose praises His ransomed people will be singing through all eternity. So be it.”

Wu notes that “the doxology in Jude has been considered as one of the most fulsome doxologies in the NT...and it is expressed with motifs evidently tailored to meet the subjective needs of the readers whose faith was endangered by the false teachings of the intruders.”

With all that said, it seems almost a shame to go into any more detail regarding the actual language in this doxology. But one can enjoy reading these verses on both an emotional and intellectual level, so here are a few comments of clarification that some Bible scholars have to offer.

“keep”

Barnett states, “While many warnings are given [in the Bible] of the danger of falling away, there are also encouragements about the mercy of God shown in these situations (e.g. Heb 4:14-16) as well as the strength and faithfulness of God to 'keep' his children from falling away from the true path of faith (e.g. Jude 24, etc.).”

But Schreiner warns, “The absolute necessity of human obedience for eternal reward does not nullify God's grace, for Jude says that it is God 'who is able to keep you from stumbling' (Jude 24), which means that he keeps believers from apostasy. Nonetheless, this does not rule out the need for believers to obey, for the word of promise cannot be used to nullify the threat of judgment.”

“stand in the presence with rejoicing”

Beale explains about that future time: “The kingdom that was inaugurated at Jesus' first coming will be established in its completeness, and God's people will stand in the immediate presence of his glory.”

“For those believers preserved and to be presented by God to himself on that day there was not only anticipated the successful showing in judgment but also the experience of great joy (Lk 1:44; Acts 2:46). This attitude and activity of rejoicing belongs with the hope of salvation in the eschatological day of triumph – over sin and death.” (Towner)

“without fault”

Payne says, “The phrase without fault may recall v. 12, although the Gk. words are not connected; it is in any case a metaphor from the OT sacrificial system (cf. Lev. 1:3, etc.).”

“wise”

Bruce Metzger notes that this word appears after “only” in verse 25 in some later manuscripts and is reflected in the King James Version. Most modern translations leave it out since (a) the vast majority of early manuscripts do not contain this word and (b) it probably arose as a scribal interpolation from Romans 16:27.

“Savior”

“The only occurrence of 'Savior' in Jude is with reference to God ('the only God our Savior,' Jude 25). In the NT as a whole soter refers to God in eight of its twenty-four uses and is otherwise applied to Christ.” (Hurtado)

“through Jesus”

“Jesus is singled out as the agent through whom glory was offered to God (Jude 25).” (C.C. Newman)

Witherington echoes this idea: “Jude 25 suggests that he is the only one through whom one relates to and petitions the only God.”

“glory, majesty, dominion and authority”

“Of the four qualities ascribed, glory stresses the splendor of God, as the radiance of light (cf. the description of heaven in Rev. 21:23; 22:9), majesty His position (cf. Heb. 1:3), dominion His ability to carry out His sovereign will, and authority the fact that He has the absolute right to do so.” (Wheaton)

“before all time and now and forever”

“Jude praises God's honor as eternal both in the past and future...God has vindicated his honor in the past, as the example of biblical sinners who were judged indicate (vv 5-7,11), which gives ground for a future divine vindication.” (Neyrey)

                                    Jude 25-26 (1984)