What does Jude 1:7 mean?

Explanation

Jude 1:7 serves as a stark warning and a historical example.

It compares the actions and subsequent judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, to the false teachers and ungodly people his letter addresses.

Literally, Sodom and Gomorrah, as described in the book of Genesis, were cities destroyed by God with fire and sulfur because of their grave sins.

The phrase "giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh" denotes a willful indulgence in sexual immorality and the pursuit of unnatural desires.

"Set forth for an example" signifies that these cities serve as a historical cautionary tale, and "suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" suggests a divine judgment that has an enduring and warning significance.

Historical Context

The historical context of Jude's letter is complex.

Likely written in the first century A.D., Jude addresses the early Christian community amidst a time when it was threatened by false teachings and ungodly behavior.

The reference to Sodom and Gomorrah is rooted in a historical account from Genesis 19, where the cities were destroyed due to their extreme wickedness.

Jude's audience would have been familiar with this story, which was an archetype of God's judgment against extreme wickedness.

Theological Insights

Theological interpretations of this verse span across different viewpoints.

From a traditional Christian perspective, Jude's reference to Sodom and Gomorrah underscores the gravity of sin and the reality of divine punishment.

Some interpret "strange flesh" as a denouncement of homosexual acts, though others argue that it refers more broadly to a departure from God’s intended order for sexual conduct.

The phrase "eternal fire" is often a point of discussion about the nature and duration of divine punishment, whether it is literal or metaphorical, and if it implies an eternal state of suffering or annihilation.

Practical Applications

Practically, Jude 1:7 is a sobering reminder for modern readers about the consequences of moral decay and rebellion against God's directives.

It invites introspection and assessment of one's actions and lifestyle, urging believers to uphold moral standards and resist the urge to rationalize or indulge in sinful behavior.

For Christians, it entails living in a manner that is honorable, rejecting societal norms that may contrast with their values, and heeding the warnings from scripture.

Cross-References

• Genesis 19:24-25: "Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground."
• 2 Peter 2:6: "And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;"
• Isaiah 1:9: "Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrha."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, several key words may be worth examining:

• "Fornication" (πορνεία / porneia): Broadly refers to sexual immorality.
• "Strange" (σάρξ ἑτέρας / sarkos heteras): Literally means "other" or "different" flesh, sometimes interpreted as abnormal or unnatural relations.
• "Vengeance" (δίκην / diken): This often means judgment, punishment, or retribution.
• "Eternal" (αἰώνιον / aiōnion): Indicates something that is age-lasting or everlasting.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Culturally, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah bears similarities to ancient Near Eastern myths that include divine retribution themes, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh's story of the gods destroying a city.

Religiously, Jude’s reference to Sodom and Gomorrah would resonate with the Jewish tradition, which also condemned the cities' behaviors, as seen in the Torah.

However, Jude gives it a distinctively Christian interpretation by using it as a symbol of moral warning for his readers.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, discussions often revolve around attempts to explain the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, such as natural catastrophes like earthquakes or volcanic activity.

The concept of "eternal fire" is typically seen as metaphorical in scientific discourse, as it relates to religious rather than empirical descriptions of reality.

Commentaries

Commentaries vary in their interpretation of Jude 1:7.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes the sinfulness of the cities and the justness of God’s retribution.

The Pulpit Commentary suggests that the unnatural vice of the cities was emblematic of their apostasy from God.

Others, like the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, highlight the illustrative role the cities serve in Jude's warnings against license and apostasy.

Modern commentaries discuss the social, historical, and theological dimensions of Jude's comparison, with some offering a more nuanced look at the possible sins of Sodom and Gomorrah beyond sexual immorality, including a lack of hospitality and pride.