NASB
(New American Standard Bible)
wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.
NLT
(New Living Translation)
They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness.
We continue studying Jude with verse 13 and Jude's characterization of the people in the throws of apostasy. He is very descriptive with his imagery. Let's dive into the verse and break down what Jude is trying to tell us.
You may want to dig in and draw your own conclusions
by reading some commentaries at Biblegateway.com or BlueLetterBible.org.
- wild waves of the sea - that word, wild, in Greek form means untamed, fierce, though its primary root, ἄγω ágō , has a negative connotation meaning to move, impel: of forces and influences on the mind.
- churning up the foam of their shameful deeds - Jude wants us to think about the effects of a raging sea as he likens these people to it. They agitate the Church, stirring up trouble with their nastiness which reaches the foam, the upper ranks of leadership. These people we are warned about, can swirl us, the Church, around until we are mixed up in our beliefs; or worse, suck us into their vortex of the drowning waters of apostasy.
- wandering stars - What is a wandering star? Jude implies these people are πλάνος plános a Greek word for one who is roving, misleading, or leading into error. These apostates are erratic in their thinking, perhaps using the Bible out of context to suit their greeds. They are unstable, and leave a trail of destruction as they scatter their disbelief among the Church.
- doomed forever to blackest darkness - To corrupt the souls of others, to deliberately lead His beloved children into disbelief, there is punishment. The apostates will be judged. They will be sentenced to the inky pit of σκότος skótos. Jude specifically uses this Greek word because it means a darkened soul, ignorant of respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell.
We've learned so much about the people of apostasy in these last few verses. Knowing their traits, and the way God views them, we must be aware they are still around today. We must be wary and on guard. While Jude's epistle may give us pause to worry of being misled, fear not, friends. There is hope found in His Truth.
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Arm yourself with His Word, so you might
share Truth with others today.
share Truth with others today.
What stood out most to you in this verse?
