Jude 1:11

"Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion."

Key Reflection

Jude 1:11 serves as a powerful rebuke to those who have strayed from righteousness. By comparing these individuals to Cain, Balaam, and Korah, Jude highlights their dangerous path of rebellion and greed. Just as Cain murdered his brother out of envy and jealousy (Genesis 4), Balaam sold his spiritual integrity for financial gain (Numbers 22-25), and Korah’s rebellion led to divine judgment (Numbers 16), those Jude addresses have similarly chosen wickedness over righteousness, facing the same fate of destruction.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 11. Woe unto them! See Mt 11:21. For they have gone in the way of Cain. Ge 4:5-12. That is, they have evinced disobedience and rebellion as he did; they have shown that they are proud, corrupt, and wicked. The apostle does not specify the points in which they had imitated the example of Cain, but it was probably in such things as these--pride, haughtiness, the hatred of religion, restlessness under the restraints of virtue, envy that others were more favoured, and a spirit of hatred of the brethren (comp. 1 Jo 3:15) which would lead to murder. And ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward.

Related Verses

More from Jude 1

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