Peril Foretold by Apostles

17  Jude now turns from his series of illustrations provided by OT types and prophecies (vv. 5–16) to remind his readers of a much more contemporary voice. They are urged not only to recall what the inspired writers of earlier centuries have foretold, but to remember that in their own day the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ have warned of the rise of false teachers. The constantly needed admonition to remember is frequently repeated in the Scriptures. Forgetfulness of divine directions inevitably tends to spiritual weakness: one degeneration (of mind) leads to another (of soul).

18  The reassuring apostolic words that Jude now goes on to mention are not recorded elsewhere in the NT, except in 2 Pet. 3:3; but it is unlikely that Jude is quoting from 2 Peter (see I…