Jude 1:12

Spots. Rather, “reefs,” a metaphor describing those who cause shipwreck to others.

Feasts of charity. That is, love feasts (cf. on 2 Peter 2:13).

Feeding themselves. Literally, “shepherding themselves,” that is, selfishly caring for their own interests at the expense of others. They pursue this course fearlessly, that is, without godly fear, in a brazen manner. In this verse Jude uses three Greek words that begin with a, signifying “without”—aphobōs, “without fear,” anudroi, “without water,” akarpa, “without fruit” (see comment below).

Clouds. Jude now continues the list of metaphors that he began when he called the teachers “spots in your feasts.” He adds four other comparisons—“clouds,” “trees,” “waves,” and “stars.” That the false teachers are said to be “clouds … without water” implies that they no more fulfill the promise of spiritual rain than clouds that fail to water a thirsty land. In this sense they are fraudulent, disappointing those who expect spiritual refreshment from them.

Carried about. Rather, “borne past,” as clouds that pass without dropping their moisture.

Trees whose fruit withereth. Or, “trees in late autumn” (RSV). Late autumn was the time when fruit might be expected, but these false prophets are “without fruit” (cf. on 2 Peter 1:8).

Twice dead. The “trees” are not only fruitless but have been plucked up by the roots. Similarly, the false teachers thus represented were formerly dead in sin, and have now returned to that former spiritual state.

Plucked up by the roots. Even a living tree could not survive such treatment. The false teachers have lost their hold on Christ. They are not “rooted and grounded in love” (Eph. 3:17), but have founded their lives on selfishness.