King James Version

What Does Jude 1:5 Mean?

Jude 1:5 in the King James Version says “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the...” — study this verse from Jude chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Jude 1:5 · KJV

SalvationFaith

Context

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

7

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. strange: Gr. other

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Jude begins a series of historical examples demonstrating God's judgment on apostasy. "Put you in remembrance" (Greek hypomnēsai hymas, ὑπομνῆσαι ὑμᾶς) means to remind, recall to mind—Jude isn't introducing new information but refreshing known truths. The phrase "ye once knew this" (Greek eidotas hapax panta, εἰδότας ἅπαξ πάντα) emphasizes they learned these things previously, likely in initial Christian instruction.

The first example is Israel's exodus and wilderness rebellion. God "saved the people out of the land of Egypt"—delivered them from slavery through mighty acts (Exodus 12-14). Yet "afterward destroyed them that believed not" (Greek to deuteron tous mē pisteusantas apōlesen, τὸ δεύτερον τοὺς μὴ πιστεύσαντας ἀπώλεσεν)—subsequently destroyed the unbelieving. This refers to Numbers 14, where Israel's unbelief at Kadesh-barnea resulted in that generation dying in the wilderness without entering Canaan.

The theological point is profound: initial deliverance doesn't guarantee final salvation if followed by persistent unbelief. Physical exodus from Egypt didn't save those who refused to trust God for entering Canaan. Similarly, professing Christianity, baptism, or church membership doesn't guarantee salvation apart from genuine faith persevering to the end. The Greek participle "believed not" (mē pisteusantas) indicates ongoing, settled unbelief, not momentary doubt.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This example would have resonated powerfully with Jewish Christian readers familiar with Israel's history. The exodus represented God's greatest Old Testament redemptive act, forming Israel as His covenant people. Yet Paul reminds believers that "with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness" (1 Corinthians 10:5). Hebrews 3-4 extensively applies this warning to Christian perseverance.

The wilderness generation received extraordinary privileges: miraculous deliverance from Egypt, divine guidance through cloud and fire, supernatural provision of manna and water, God's presence at Sinai. Despite these blessings, their hearts turned away in unbelief. Their rebellion manifested in complaining (Numbers 11), idolatry (Exodus 32), sexual immorality (Numbers 25), and ultimately refusing to trust God's promise to give them the land (Numbers 13-14).

Early Christians recognized themselves as the new exodus people—delivered from slavery to sin, traveling toward the promised heavenly inheritance. Just as Israel faced testing in the wilderness, Christians face trials requiring persevering faith. The warning was clear: privilege and initial profession don't ensure final salvation; only faith persevering through testing inherits God's promises.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Israel's wilderness example warn against presuming on God's grace while persisting in unbelief?
  2. What's the difference between struggling with doubt (common to believers) and the settled unbelief Jude describes?
  3. How should churches balance assurance of salvation with warnings against apostasy?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
Ὑπομνῆσαι1 of 22

“in remembrance”

G5279

to remind quietly, i.e., suggest to the (middle voice, one's own) memory

δὲ2 of 22

“therefore”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὑμᾶς3 of 22

“though ye”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

βούλομαι4 of 22

“I will”

G1014

to "will," i.e., (reflexively) be willing

εἰδότας5 of 22

“knew”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὑμᾶς6 of 22

“though ye”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἅπαξ7 of 22

“once”

G530

one (or a single) time (numerically or conclusively)

τοῦτο,8 of 22

“this”

G5124

that thing

ὅτι9 of 22

“how that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὁ10 of 22
G3588

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

Κύριος,11 of 22

“the Lord”

G2962

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

λαὸν12 of 22

“the people”

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

ἐκ13 of 22

“out of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

γῆς14 of 22

“the land”

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

Αἰγύπτου15 of 22

“of Egypt”

G125

aegyptus, the land of the nile

σώσας16 of 22

“having saved”

G4982

to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)

τὸ17 of 22
G3588

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

δεύτερον18 of 22

“afterward”

G1208

(ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb)

τοὺς19 of 22
G3588

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

μὴ20 of 22

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

πιστεύσαντας21 of 22

“them that believed”

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

ἀπώλεσεν22 of 22

“destroyed”

G622

to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively

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 1:5 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 1:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 3:16-4:2Numbers 26:64-651 Corinthians 10:1-12Psalms 106:26Numbers 14:22-37Deuteronomy 2:15-16

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Jude 1 →

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