King James Version

What Does Jude 1:4 Mean?

Jude 1:4 in the King James Version says “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning ... — study this verse from Jude chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:4 · KJV


Context

2

Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

3

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5

I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

6

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. first estate: or, principality


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude now reveals why contending for the faith is necessary: false teachers have infiltrated the church. "Crept in unawares" (Greek pareisedysan, παρεισέδυσαν) means to slip in stealthily, infiltrate secretly—these men didn't announce themselves as false teachers but posed as legitimate believers. This echoes Paul's warning about false brothers "secretly brought in" (Galatians 2:4).

The phrase "before of old ordained to this condemnation" (Greek hoi palai prographphentes eis touto to krima, οἱ πάλαι προγεγραμμένοι εἰς τοῦτο τὸ κρίμα) has generated debate. Some see predestination to damnation, but more likely it refers to prophetic warnings in Scripture about such people—they fit the pattern of ungodly men long ago written about as facing judgment. Their condemnation was "written beforehand" in Old Testament warnings and apostolic prophecies.

Jude charges them with two heresies: (1) "turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness" (Greek tēn tou theou hēmōn charin metatithentes eis aselgeian, τὴν τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν χάριν μετατιθέντες εἰς ἀσέλγειαν)—perverting grace into a license for sensual indulgence, antinomianism; (2) "denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Greek ton monon despotēn kai kyrion hēmōn Iēsoun Christon arnoumenoi, τὸν μόνον δεσπότην καὶ κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἀρνούμενοι)—rejecting Christ's absolute authority and deity. The word "deny" means to disown, refuse to acknowledge—whether explicitly in doctrine or implicitly through lawless living.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The early church faced immediate threats from antinomianism—the belief that grace eliminates all moral obligation. Some misinterpreted Paul's teaching on justification by faith alone to mean Christian behavior doesn't matter. Paul himself anticipated this misunderstanding (Romans 6:1-2, 15). Gnostic teachers claimed special spiritual knowledge elevated them above moral law, leading to either asceticism or licentiousness.

Jude's description of these infiltrators matches first-century patterns. False teachers often gained entrance through friendship, family connections, or claims of prophetic inspiration. Once inside, they subtly undermined foundational doctrines while maintaining Christian vocabulary. Their behavior contradicted their profession—claiming to honor Christ while living in ways that denied His lordship.

The reference to judgment "written beforehand" reflects Jewish understanding that Scripture contains patterns and prophecies applicable to later generations. The Old Testament repeatedly describes ungodly people facing God's judgment (Deuteronomy 13:5, Isaiah 29:15-16). Apostolic warnings about false teachers (Acts 20:29-30, 2 Peter 2:1-3) served as further prophetic writings identifying and condemning such infiltrators.

Reflection Questions

  1. What contemporary forms of 'turning grace into lasciviousness' threaten the church today?
  2. How can churches develop better discernment to recognize false teachers who 'creep in unawares'?
  3. In what subtle ways might we deny Christ's lordship while still professing Christian faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
παρεισέδυσαν1 of 31

crept in unawares

G3921

to settle in alongside, i.e., lodge stealthily

γάρ2 of 31

For

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

τινες3 of 31

there are certain

G5100

some or any person or object

ἄνθρωποι4 of 31

men

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

τὸν5 of 31

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πάλαι6 of 31

of old

G3819

(adverbially) formerly, or (by relatively) sometime since; (elliptically as adjective) ancient

προγεγραμμένοι7 of 31

ordained

G4270

to write previously; figuratively, to announce, prescribe

εἰς8 of 31

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τοῦτο9 of 31

this

G5124

that thing

τὸν10 of 31

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κρίμα,11 of 31

condemnation

G2917

a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime"))

ἀσεβεῖς12 of 31

ungodly men

G765

irreverent, i.e., (by extension) impious or wicked

τὸν13 of 31

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τὸν14 of 31

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεὸν15 of 31

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἡμῶν16 of 31

of our

G2257

of (or from) us

χάριν17 of 31

the grace

G5485

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

μετατιθέντες18 of 31

turning

G3346

to transfer, i.e., (literally) transport, (by implication) exchange, (reflexively) change sides, or (figuratively) pervert

εἰς19 of 31

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἀσέλγειαν20 of 31

lasciviousness

G766

licentiousness (sometimes including other vices)

καὶ21 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸν22 of 31

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μόνον23 of 31

the only

G3441

remaining, i.e., sole or single; by implication, mere

δεσπότην24 of 31

Lord

G1203

an absolute ruler ("despot")

Θεὸν25 of 31

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ26 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Κύριον27 of 31

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἡμῶν28 of 31

of our

G2257

of (or from) us

Ἰησοῦν29 of 31

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστὸν30 of 31

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἀρνούμενοι31 of 31

denying

G720

to contradict, i.e., disavow, reject, abnegate


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jude. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jude 1:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jude 1:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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