NASB
(New American Standard Bible)
These are the ones who cause divisions,
worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.
worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.
NLT
(New Living Translation)
These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you.
They follow their natural instincts
because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.
They follow their natural instincts
because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.
Jude is straightforward in the motives of the apostates. He clearly states what they are doing, and why they are doing it. Here's what stood out to me in verse nineteen.
To dig in and draw your own conclusions,
read some commentaries at Biblegateway.com or BlueLetterBible.org.
- divisions - ἀποδιορίζω apodiorízō is the Greek word meaning by drawing boundaries to disjoin, part, separate. Jude's use of this word implies the action intended: these people, because of their wicked apostasy, desire to separate the Church. Causing confusion among believers divides them. It is the ultimate goal...keep everyone in an uproar, and their minds and hearts will be removed from focusing on their LORD.
- worldly-minded - ψυχικός psychikós . is a Greek derivation of governed by breath; the sensous nature with its subjection to appetite and passion. When digging a bit further, Jude intended us to understand this as though made up of nothing but air. I take this to mean: Those who are worldly-minded are following nothing because they have no true heart. In essence, following their passions leaves them without life. Do you agree?
- devoid of the Spirit - Two different words make up this phrase μή mḗ, and πνεῦμα pneûma, which together without the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of anyone. The Holy Spirit is our Source. Without the Spirit we are void of any efficient source of power, affection, emotion, desire, etc.
Apostasy draws the line between those ruled by the world and those who follow Christ's sovereignty. Get into your Bible and soak up some Truth. Your heart will lead you to the Source, the answers for which you are looking.
It's simple.
Follow the world or follow Him.
Follow the world or follow Him.
What stood out most to you in this verse?
