 | Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. |
 | And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. |
 | And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. |
| Jude 1:22-23 |
Commentary
Although Jude deplored and condemned false teachers, he recommended an attitude of compassion toward those who were swayed by their message. Some required gentle correction; others, however, would need to be pulled "out of the fire" forcefully (v. 23). Jude used the image of soiled clothes as a metaphor for sin (see Zech. 3:3, 4; Rev. 3:4). He said that Christians ought to hate "even the garment defiled by the flesh" (Jude 23). Jude wanted his readers to avoid all contamination by sin, hating sin as much as they would loathe soiled undergarments. To treat sin as normal and commonplace is a temptation. However, Jude identified this attitude as a betrayal of the gospel. Christians have been "clothed" in righteousness. Therefore, they ought to be repulsed by their old, filthy "garments" of sin.
"hating even the garment defiled by the flesh"
In the OT the clothing of a leper was contaminated and had to be burned (Lev. 13:47-52). So in dealing with people who have become defiled, we must be careful to avoid anything which might prove a temptation in our own lives.
Although Jude deplored and condemned false teachers, he recommended an attitude of compassion toward those who were swayed by their message. Some required gentle correction; others, however, would need to be pulled "out of the fire" forcefully (v. 23). Jude used the image of soiled clothes as a metaphor for sin (see Zech. 3:3, 4; Rev. 3:4). He said that Christians ought to hate "even the garment defiled by the flesh" (Jude 23). Jude wanted his readers to avoid all contamination by sin, hating sin as much as they would loathe soiled undergarments. To treat sin as normal and commonplace is a temptation. However, Jude identified this attitude as a betrayal of the gospel. Christians have been "clothed" in righteousness. Therefore, they ought to be repulsed by their old, filthy "garments" of sin.
Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Jud 22). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
In the OT the clothing of a leper was contaminated and had to be burned (Lev. 13:47-52). So in dealing with people who have become defiled, we must be careful to avoid anything which might prove a temptation in our own lives.
MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Jud 23). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.