Jude 1:11
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Woe is pronounced on ungodly false prophets who corrupt themselves and oppose rightful authority, whose course is set forth in three examples: going in the way of Cain, running greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perishing in rebellious opposition like Korah. The verse describes apostasy and conditions to be met in the present day, which workers must study and be prepared to meet. Their way repeats Cain's, their greedy pursuit of reward repeats Balaam's error, and their rebellious opposition recalls Korah's destruction.
Going in the way of Cain means fixing the mind upon worldly prosperity and enjoyment and neglecting the commandments of the Lord. The verse applies to the children of Seth when they mingled with the descendants of Cain and were attracted by the beauty of their daughters. They displeased the Lord by intermarrying with them, were beguiled into sin, and lost their peculiar holy character. They became like the depraved in spirit and deeds and disregarded the restrictions of the seventh commandment.
The gainsaying of Core means threatening to sever all connection with brethren unless they consent to one's terms, and trying to make them afraid by threatenings about separation. It means going on year after year in the face of all warnings to do according to one's own mind and judgment while refusing to hear the voice of the Lord. Such a course is dishonoring and ruinous and must be kept off.
The verse exposes apostasy involving rebellion, self-exalting plans, and lawless opposition to God in the conflict between right and wrong, and shows that such a course leads to judgment. These men spread moral pollution wherever they go, are zealous in advocacy of error with inspiration from the father of lies. Their rebellion and self-exalting plans will grow more intense toward the end of time.
The verse belongs to a warning about conditions to be met in the present day and the last days, describing corrupt people who will be found in every city. Its warning applies to people who persist in an evil course despite reproof, depart from the faith, and may seek entry into the churches to deceive believers. Workers must study the warning and be prepared to meet it, for rebellion will grow more intense toward the end of time.
The verse warns believers against the seductive influence of false teachers in the last days, men who have a form of godliness but are not safe leaders. False teachers will arise and become actively zealous at a time when Satan is working with power upon religionists. All kinds of theories will be presented to divert minds from the very truth that defines the position that can be occupied with safety. They lead people to make a pretense of being righteous while failing to place themselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Christians must beware such influence and cannot associate or have fellowship and communion with them and be safe. There can be no fellowship without becoming tainted and breathing in the defiling moral atmosphere surrounding them, for these men spread moral pollution wherever they go. Such people and their influence make worldly places spiritually dangerous, and worldly places so made cannot be associated with safely.