17 and ye, beloved, remember ye the sayings spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 that they said to you, that in the last time there shall be scoffers, after their own desires of impieties going on, 19 these are those setting themselves apart, natural men, the Spirit not having. 20 And ye, beloved, on your most holy faith building yourselves up, in the Holy Spirit praying, 21 yourselves in the love of God keep ye, waiting for the kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ—to life age-during; 22 and to some be kind, judging thoroughly, 23 and some in fear save ye, out of the fire snatching, hating even the coat from the flesh spotted.
24 And to Him who is able to guard you not stumbling, and to set 'you' in the presence of His glory unblemished, in gladness, 25 to the only wise God our Saviour, 'is' glory and greatness, power and authority, both now and to all the ages! Amen.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jude 1:17-25
Commentary on Jude 1:17-23
(Read Jude 1:17-23)
Sensual men separate from Christ, and his church, and join themselves to the devil, the world, and the flesh, by ungodly and sinful practices. That is infinitely worse than to separate from any branch of the visible church on account of opinions, or modes and circumstances of outward government or worship. Sensual men have not the spirit of holiness, which whoever has not, does not belong to Christ. The grace of faith is most holy, as it works by love, purifies the heart, and overcomes the world, by which it is distinguished from a false and dead faith. Our prayers are most likely to prevail, when we pray in the Holy Ghost, under his guidance and influence, according to the rule of his word, with faith, fervency, and earnestness; this is praying in the Holy Ghost. And a believing expectation of eternal life will arm us against the snares of sin: lively faith in this blessed hope will help us to mortify our lusts. We must watch over one another; faithfully, yet prudently reprove each other, and set a good example to all about us. This must be done with compassion, making a difference between the weak and the wilful. Some we must treat with tenderness. Others save with fear; urging the terrors of the Lord. All endeavours must be joined with decided abhorrence of crimes, and care be taken to avoid whatever led to, or was connected with fellowship with them, in works of darkness, keeping far from what is, or appears to be evil.
Commentary on Jude 1:24-25
(Read Jude 1:24-25)
God is able, and as willing as able, to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory. Not as those who never have been faulty, but as those who, but for God's mercy, and a Saviour's sufferings and merits, might most justly have been condemned long ago. All sincere believers were given him of the Father; and of all so given him he has lost none, nor will lose any one. Now, our faults fill us with fears, doubts, and sorrows; but the Redeemer has undertaken for his people, that they shall be presented faultless. Where there is no sin, there will be no sorrow; where there is the perfection of holiness, there will be the perfection of joy. Let us more often look up to Him who is able to keep us from falling, to improve as well as maintain the work he has wrought in us, till we shall be presented blameless before the presence of his glory. Then shall our hearts know a joy beyond what earth can afford; then shall God also rejoice over us, and the joy of our compassionate Saviour be completed. To Him who has so wisely formed the scheme, and will faithfully and perfectly accomplish it, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.