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Jude 1:6

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Jude 1:6 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Jude 1:6

Theological / Devotional

Angels. See the corresponding passage, 2 Peter 2:4. Jude goes into greater detail than Peter in this instance.

First estate. Gr. archē, generally translated “beginning” (John 1:1; etc.). Paul frequently uses archē and its plural form archai to describe principalities (see on Rom. 8:38; Eph. 1:21; 6:12; etc.). Once archē is translated “rule” (see on 1 Cor. 15:24). In Jude the word clearly refers to the original position enjoyed by the angels, which they lost when they followed Lucifer and were cast out of heaven (see on Isa. 14:12; Eze. 28:16–18; Rev. 12:7–9).

Left. Gr. apoleipō, “to forsake.”

Reserved. Or, “kept” (cf. on 2 Peter 2:4, 9).

Everlasting chains under darkness. A phrase that distinctly differs from 2 Peter 2:4 (see comment there), where textual evidence attests the reading “pits of darkness.” The “chains,” or “bonds,” are everlasting in the sense that the rebellious angels cannot escape from them.

Judgment. Gr. krisis (see on 2 Peter 2:4).

The great day. That is, the day of judgment (see on 2 Peter 2:4, 9).

By SdaBc