Jude 24-25
DOXOLOGY (from Gk. doxología, dóxa “praise” and lógos “utterance”).† An expression of praise to God. A common Old Testament formula is “Blessed be the Lord” (e.g., Gen. 24:27), in which the speaker mentions God’s activities in the lives of his people. Another formula is “Ascribe to the Lord glory” (e.g., Ps. 29:1). Scholars believe that the Old Testament congregation voiced such doxologies at the conclusion of hymns and prayers (1 Chr. 16:36), though 1 Chr. 29:10–13 records similar praise in the opening lines of one of David’s prayers (cf. Dan. 2:20–23).
The New Testament has retained both Old Testament formulas for the doxology (e.g., Luke 1:68; Rom. 16:27). In Paul’s epistles, doxologies occur in the salutation (Gal. 1:5), as opening thanksgiving (2 Cor. 1:3–5), as a final exhortation (1 Tim. 6:15–16), and in closing comments (Phil. 4:20). Usually the focus of praise is on God the Father, but twice at least the New Testament gives a doxology in behalf of Christ—by the crowd that praised Jesus during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:9 par. Mark 11:9; Luke 19:38) and by the four living creatures and twenty-four elders who magnify the name of the Lamb at Rev. 5:12. At Rom. 16:27 the various versions attribute glory to God through Jesus Christ.
The doxology at the close of the Lord’s Prayer is omitted by Luke (Luke 11:4) and is not found in the major and more reliable manuscripts of Matthew’s gospel (Matt. 6:13; cf. RSV mg., JB mg., NIV mg.; KJV “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever”). This ending may be based on 1 Chr. 29:11. It is included in the Didache as well (8:2; cf. 9:2–4; 10:2, 4–5 for the expression of praise in other contexts).
Jesus during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:9 par. Mark 11:9; Luke 19:38) and
the four living creatures and twenty-four elders who magnify the name of the Lamb at Rev. 5:12. At Rom. 16:27 the various versions attribute glory to God through Jesus Christ.
The doxology at the close of the Lord’s Prayer is omitted by Luke (Luke 11:4) and is not found in the major and more reliable manuscripts of Matthew’s gospel (Matt. 6:13; cf. RSV mg., JB mg., NIV mg.; KJV “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever”). This ending may be based on 1 Chr. 29:11. It is included in the Didache as well (8:2; cf. 9:2–4; 10:2, 4–5 for the expression of praise in other contexts).
jud1 Timothy 6:15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
The first is through careful Christian teaching and leadership (verses 12–13). In several places Paul urges his converts to give attention, affection and appropriate financial reward (that’s probably what ‘love’ means here; compare 4:9–12) to those who lead and teach in the church. This is, of course, the more remarkable in that the leaders and teachers themselves in Thessalonica had only been Christians a short time. Already there were some whom God had called and equipped for this work.
The second is through the mutual influence of the whole community (verses 14–15). Each Christian, and each Christian group or family, has the responsibility to look out for the needs of the others, to give comfort, warning, strengthening and example wherever necessary. It isn’t enough to avoid trouble and hope for the best. One must actively go after (the relevant phrase here means ‘pursue’) what will be good for other Christians, and indeed for everybody.
Third, there are the equivalents of the little rules of grammar, the rhymes and memory-aids which nudge the mind in the right direction. Verses 16–22 may well be a list of these, designed for easy memorization, which Paul has put together so that his young churches will quickly learn the language of Christian behaviour. When we speak of ‘learning by heart’, we often mean ‘by mind’, with an effort of memory; but, once that effort has been made, the heart takes what is learnt into itself until it becomes second nature, like a mother tongue. That is what Paul intends with this list.
protect you from stumbling A relationship with God Himself, through Jesus, is the ultimate safeguard against false teaching and sin (compare John 14:16).
If we do disobey God, we may confess our sins and receive His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). If we persist in disobedience, He will chasten us in love (Heb. 12:5–11). He will never permit one of His own to be lost.