Jude 1:19

What does Jude 1:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Jude 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Jude 1:19 means

Jude summarizes the intruders’ effect and essence: they make separations, fracturing the fellowship instead of nurturing unity. They are sensual—governed by natural impulses rather than by God. They do not have the Spirit. This last charge is decisive. Whatever gifts or claims they parade, they lack the indwelling Holy Spirit who marks true believers and produces holiness and love. Their divisiveness is not courageous discernment but carnal disruption. By naming these traits, Jude helps the church discern between Spirit-born fruit and fleshly turmoil. Sound doctrine and godly life hang together; severing them reveals emptiness beneath religious words.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

These are they who make separations, sensual, having not the Spirit.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

These are they who make separations, sensual, having not the Spirit.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

These are the men who make divisions, natural men, not having the Spirit.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

these are those setting themselves apart, natural men, the Spirit not having.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

These are they who separate themselves, sensual men, having not the Spirit.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

These are they who set [themselves] apart, natural [men], not having [the] Spirit.

Context

This concluding diagnosis follows the apostles’ prediction in verse 18 and completes Jude’s portrayal of the intruders. The contrast is about to shift. Verses 20–21 will call the beloved to practices that foster true life in God: building on the most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping in the love of God, and looking to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then, verses 22–23 will outline how to relate to those caught in error, combining mercy, urgency, and holy caution.

v.18that they said to you, In the last time there shall be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.

v.19This passage

v.20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14

    Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.

  • Isaiah 65:5

    that say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

  • Hosea 4:14

    I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot, nor your brides when they commit adultery; for the men themselves go apart with harlots, and they sacrifice with the prostitutes; and the people that doth not understand shall be overthrown.

  • Proverbs 18:1

    He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.

  • Ezekiel 14:7

    For every one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that separateth himself from me, and taketh his idols into his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet to inquire for himself of me; I Jehovah will answer him by myself:

  • James 3:15

    This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

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