Jude 1:8

What does Jude 1:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Jude 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Jude 1:8 means

Despite such warnings, the present false teachers persist. Jude says that in their dreamings they defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme glorious beings. They follow fantasies rather than God’s Word, indulging in immorality. They set at nought dominion, likely refusing all rightful lordship, including that of Jesus Christ and the authorities He appoints. They rail at dignities, speaking irreverently about celestial or earthly dignitaries. Their conduct shows a proud spirit that will not submit. Jude exposes how deception often comes cloaked in spiritual claims, visions, or dreams that excuse sin and rebellion, whereas true spirituality submits to God’s revealed truth and honors the structures He has ordained.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In the same way these dreamers make the flesh unclean, having no respect for authorities, and say evil of rulers.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

In like manner, nevertheless, those dreaming also the flesh indeed do defile, and lordship they put away, and dignities they speak evil of,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In like manner, these men also defile the flesh and despise dominion and blaspheme majesty.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Yet in like manner these dreamers also defile [the] flesh, and despise lordship, and speak railingly against dignities.

Context

This verse applies the three Old Testament examples directly to Jude’s opponents. The sins line up: fleshly defilement like Sodom, rebellion like the wilderness generation and the angels, and slander of glorious beings. Verse 9 provides a striking contrast: Michael the archangel, though exalted, would not pronounce a railing judgment against the devil but deferred to the Lord’s rebuke. Verse 10 will return to the intruders’ ignorance and animal-like instincts. The juxtaposition stresses how far the false teachers’ arrogance exceeds even that of holy angels.

v.7Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having in like manner with these given themselves over to fornication and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

v.8This passage

v.9But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 12:3

    Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaketh great things;

  • Numbers 16:3

    and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and Jehovah is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the assembly of Jehovah?

  • Acts 7:27

    But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

  • Luke 19:14

    But his citizens hated him, and sent an ambassage after him, saying, We will not that this man reign over us.

  • Jude 1:9

    But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

  • 1 Timothy 1:10

    for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;

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