Jude 1:5 kjv

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 nkjv

But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

Jude 1:5 niv

Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.

Jude 1:5 esv

Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

Jude 1:5 nlt

So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful.

Jude 1 verses

Jude 1 5 Meaning

Jude 1:5 serves as a stern reminder of God's character as both Deliverer and Judge. It asserts that God, who miraculously saved the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, subsequently destroyed those very individuals who demonstrated a profound lack of belief and consequent disobedience. This foundational truth underscores that divine salvation is not a guarantee against judgment for those who apostatize through persistent unbelief, and it sets the stage for Jude's warning against false teachers who pervert grace into license.

Jude 1 5 Context

Jude's epistle is a concise yet urgent appeal to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3). Having initially planned to write about common salvation, Jude felt compelled to address the imminent threat posed by false teachers who had secretly slipped into the church. These individuals, characterized by their immorality, rebellion against authority, and perversion of God's grace, endangered the very foundation of Christian belief and conduct.

Verse 5 marks the beginning of Jude's central argument by providing historical examples of God's judgment against those who apostatized despite experiencing His favor. The first example, the Exodus generation, resonates deeply within the original audience's understanding of God's covenant dealings with Israel. This historical narrative serves as a potent warning that even those delivered by divine power are not exempt from judgment if they persist in unbelief and disobedience, thereby justifying the strong condemnation Jude pronounces upon the infiltrators. It's a foundational lesson for Christians in any era, demonstrating God's consistent character of righteous judgment upon unfaithfulness.

Jude 1 5 Word analysis

• Now I want to remind you: (hypomnēsai de hymas boulomai). Jude transitions to his core argument. This phrase indicates he is not revealing new truth, but calling to memory existing, foundational knowledge. It implies the readers had prior instruction, making their understanding (and potential lapse) more accountable.
• although you once knew this: (panta hotidē per tote gnontes). Reinforces the assumption of prior understanding. This serves to emphasize the culpability of those who depart from a truth they previously embraced. It highlights that forgetfulness or intentional disregard for known truth can lead to perilous spiritual states.
• that the Lord: (hoti ho Kyrios). "The Lord" in this context refers to God, understood to be Yahweh (YHWH) in the Old Testament narratives. In the New Testament, particularly in Jude, there is often a Christological undertone, where Christ is implicitly or explicitly identified with the saving and judging acts of God in the Old Testament, such as 1 Cor 10:4 identifying Christ as the rock that followed Israel. This underscores His ultimate authority, power, and role as the ultimate arbiter.
• having saved a people: (laon ek gēs Aigyptou sōsas). "Saved" (sōsas) indicates a decisive and powerful act of deliverance. "A people" (laon) refers specifically to Israel, chosen by God and set apart. This highlights the initial, miraculous grace God extended to them, pulling them out of the slavery and oppression of Egypt. It sets the baseline of divine favor experienced.
• out of the land of Egypt: A specific historical and geographical context that serves as the quintessential Old Testament example of God's redemptive power and initial covenant with Israel. It signifies a liberation from bondage and oppression.
• afterward destroyed: (to deuteron apolesen). "Afterward" highlights the sequence: first salvation, then judgment later. This crucial temporal distinction shows that initial deliverance does not confer an unconditional, eternal exemption from God's scrutiny. "Destroyed" (apolesen) implies ruin, annihilation, or a state of complete undoing, often associated with divine wrath and judgment.
• those who did not believe: (tous mē pisteusantas). This phrase is central to the verse's meaning. The decisive factor for destruction was "unbelief"—not merely intellectual disagreement, but a lack of trusting obedience that led to rebellion and defiance of God's commands and promises. This underscores the profound importance of sustained faith and the grave consequences of apostasy for those who have received divine favor.

Words-group analysis:

• Now I want to remind you, although you once knew this: This phrase acts as a rhetorical strategy by Jude. He's preparing his audience for a re-examination of foundational truths, subtly suggesting that even known truths need reinforcement and proper application, especially when new spiritual threats emerge. It makes any excuse of ignorance invalid.
• that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt: This highlights God's sovereignty and prior acts of immense grace. It underscores that the Israelites' initial privileged status came solely from God's gracious intervention. This grace established a covenant relationship, which, as the next part shows, carried obligations.
• afterward destroyed those who did not believe: This sharp contrast illustrates the core message: initial grace does not guarantee final salvation apart from sustained faith and obedience. The very God who delivers also judges. The specific failure—"did not believe"—shows that trust in God and His Word is paramount, and the absence of it leads to destructive consequences. This directly challenges any notion that salvation offers a license for immoral behavior or disregard for divine authority.

Jude 1 5 Bonus section

• The destruction referred to here primarily speaks to the perishing of that generation in the wilderness, preventing them from entering the Promised Land, which typified God's rest and blessing. This was a physical death for most, excluding Caleb and Joshua, due to their specific sin of unbelief at the report of the spies (Num 14:26-30).
• This example directly supports the New Testament theology of warning against apostasy, particularly found in Hebrews 3-4 and 1 Corinthians 10. These passages interpret the Exodus event not just as historical narrative but as a theological paradigm for Christian believers, emphasizing the danger of turning away from God.
• The nature of "belief" (pistis) in the biblical context is not merely intellectual assent but an active, living trust that results in obedience to God. Conversely, "unbelief" is characterized by disobedience, murmuring, rebellion, and a hardened heart.
• Jude strategically uses three Old Testament or common Jewish historical examples (Exodus generation, fallen angels, Sodom and Gomorrah) to build an irrefutable case for the certainty and severity of God's judgment against apostasy and ungodliness. This first example lays the foundational principle.

Jude 1 5 Commentary

Jude 1:5 serves as the anchor point for Jude's urgent warning, illustrating God's dual nature as both Redeemer and Judge. He intentionally begins with the foundational story of the Exodus, a pivotal event in Israel's history showcasing God's powerful, miraculous deliverance of His chosen people. This reminds his audience that even those who have personally experienced divine salvation are not exempt from subsequent judgment if they abandon the faith and turn to unbelief. The fate of the Exodus generation, barred from the Promised Land due to their consistent rebellion rooted in a lack of trust in God (Numbers 14, Psa 95), powerfully mirrors the danger faced by Jude's contemporary readers and false teachers. It demonstrates that God's grace does not nullify accountability or provide a pretext for sinful living. Rather, true faith is living, active trust in God that results in obedience; its absence inevitably leads to destruction. This example provides the historical precedent for understanding why God would act similarly against those infiltrating the church.

Examples of practical application:

• For individuals: No past spiritual experience or profession of faith provides immunity from falling away if present faith and obedience are neglected.
• For churches: Do not presume on God's grace by tolerating doctrines or practices that contradict the faith once delivered, as history shows God's judgment extends even to His redeemed who walk in rebellion.
• For teachers: Emphasize both God's saving grace and His righteous judgment against persistent unbelief, offering a balanced view of His character.