Jude 1:23 kjv

And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Jude 1:23 nkjv

but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Jude 1:23 niv

save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear?hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 1:23 esv

save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Jude 1:23 nlt

Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

Jude 1 verses

Jude 1 23 Meaning

Jude 1:23 calls believers to intervene differently for those influenced by false teaching. While some need compassion and convincing, others are in such grave spiritual danger that they must be rescued urgently and forcibly, as if snatched from fire. The rescuers, however, must exercise extreme caution, hating even the slightest spiritual contamination, symbolized by a garment stained by sinful flesh, thus preserving their own purity and separation from evil.

Jude 1 23 Context

Jude is a concise and urgent letter, penned by Jude, brother of James, to warn believers about false teachers who have stealthily infiltrated the Christian community. These false teachers deny Christ's Lordship, distort grace into license for immoral behavior, and corrupt the church with their licentious ways. The preceding verses (Jude 1:4-19) describe their character and destiny, drawing parallels from Old Testament examples of judgment. Jude 1:20-21 then urges believers to build themselves up in faith, prayer, and love. Verse 22 sets the stage by advising compassion for those struggling with doubt or error. Jude 1:23 specifically addresses a third, more critical group, detailing the forceful and cautious intervention needed for those on the verge of destruction, underscoring the severe spiritual danger posed by the false teaching and the high standard of holiness required of those ministering.

Jude 1 23 Word analysis

• but others: Differentiates this group from the two previously mentioned in verse 22 (those to show mercy and those to save with fear and compassion). It implies varying degrees of error or engagement with false teaching, requiring different responses from the faithful.
• save: (Greek: sōzō) Implies rescue, deliverance, or preservation from peril. In this context, it's about spiritual rescue from the immediate danger of apostasy, destruction, or the corrupting influence of the false teachers' doctrines and lifestyles. It speaks of urgency and intervention to avert spiritual ruin.
• with fear: (Greek: phobos) Not human fear or cowardice, but rather profound reverence or awe toward God, coupled with an apprehension of spiritual danger. This fear operates on two levels: a fear of the impending judgment or spiritual destruction that awaits the unsaved, and a fear (caution, awe) for the rescuer to ensure they are not contaminated by the very evil they are attempting to address. It underscores the gravity of the spiritual battle and the holiness required.
• pulling them out: (Greek: harpazō) Literally "to snatch," "seize forcibly," or "to tear away suddenly." This vivid verb suggests a forceful, urgent, and perhaps violent act, indicating that those in this group are teetering on the edge of destruction and require immediate, powerful intervention, like pulling someone from a raging fire before it's too late.
• of the fire: (Greek: pyros) A common biblical metaphor for divine judgment, wrath, hell, or spiritual destruction. The image is one of imminent and severe danger, implying that these individuals are close to suffering ultimate spiritual ruin, consistent with the fiery judgment threatened elsewhere in Jude.
• hating: (Greek: misountes) A strong verb expressing complete abhorrence, detestation, and revulsion. This is not hatred of the person but a deep loathing for sin itself and its defiling effects. It underscores the absolute moral opposition true believers must maintain towards evil.
• even the garment: (Greek: kai ton chitona) The "chitōn" was an undergarment worn close to the body, a tunic. Its inclusion emphasizes the pervasive and intimate nature of defilement; not just outright sin, but anything associated with it, even indirectly or subtly, carries the stain.
• polluted: (Greek: espilōmenon) From spiloō, meaning to stain, spot, or defile. This describes something made impure or ritually unclean. The passive voice indicates it has been defiled.
• by the flesh: (Greek: apo tēs sarkos) The source of the pollution is the sinful human nature or unredeemed humanity, which manifests in depraved lusts, immoral conduct, and licentiousness—precisely the characteristics of the false teachers Jude condemns. It reinforces that the source of spiritual corruption is often our inherent sinfulness.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire: This phrase introduces a distinct and urgent strategy for ministry to those most severely endangered by false teaching. It conveys the immense gravity of the spiritual condition, the imminence of judgment ("fire"), and the aggressive, non-hesitant, and forceful intervention required. The "fear" cautions the rescuer about the spiritual hazards involved while emphasizing the seriousness of the rescue operation itself.
• hating even the garment polluted by the flesh: This imperative serves as a vital safeguard and instruction for those engaged in the rescue. It extends the warning beyond merely the direct acts of sin to encompass even the "flesh"-stained by-products or remnants of sin. It demands a radical and unwavering commitment to personal holiness, an absolute rejection of any compromise with impurity, even what might seem insignificant or secondary (like a "garment"). This signifies a zero-tolerance policy towards spiritual defilement for those who would stand against it, lest they themselves become corrupted.

Jude 1 23 Bonus section

The varying approaches to different groups in Jude 1:22-23 ("mercy on some," "save others with fear," and then the instruction to "hate even the garment polluted by the flesh") highlight the importance of spiritual discernment in ministry. Not everyone needs the same approach. Some need gentle persuasion; others require firm intervention. However, a common thread for all effective ministry is the absolute commitment to personal purity and abhorrence of sin, ensuring that those who reach out are themselves untainted and remain powerful witnesses against evil. This command also reflects the Old Testament purity laws regarding contact with defiled objects, extended here to a New Testament spiritual context.

Jude 1 23 Commentary

Jude 1:23 presents a powerful and urgent call to spiritual rescue, demanding discernment, boldness, and radical holiness. It mandates treating those teetering on the edge of apostasy with the intensity of pulling someone from a burning building, symbolizing imminent spiritual destruction or divine judgment. This aggressive intervention (harpazō) implies that softer persuasion may no longer be effective; direct, forceful action is required to snatch them from danger. The accompanying "fear" (awe/caution) signifies the gravity of both the rescue task and the spiritual dangers it entails, ensuring that the rescuer approaches this perilous work with profound reverence for God and a realistic assessment of the risk.

Crucially, the verse issues a severe warning to the rescuer: "hating even the garment polluted by the flesh." This vivid imagery underscores the highly contagious and corrupting nature of sin and false doctrine. The "garment," an intimate article worn close to the body, symbolizes that even the residue, the byproduct, or the faintest taint of sin is to be abhorred. The "flesh" points to the origin of this pollution – our fallen, sinful nature, often expressed in the licentiousness of the false teachers Jude combats. This serves as an absolute boundary: while showing mercy to the lost, believers must maintain an uncompromising distance from and hatred for the sin itself, preventing any personal contamination that would undermine their own walk with God or their ability to effectively minister. It is a stark reminder that compassion for the sinner must never translate into tolerance or compromise with their sin.