ACC ~ Jude 1 v12

WATERLESS CLOUDS, TWICE DEAD. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: “Clouds without water” are those who do not have the divine and fruit-bearing Word in them. They are twice dead: Once, because they sinned by transgressing, and again when they were handed over to the punishments foreordained by God for them. A person may be said to be dead even when he is alive but not enjoying his inheritance. ADUMBRATIONS.

FRUITLESS TREES. DIDYMUS THE BLIND: These people may say that they will bear fruit, but they are lying because they are incapable of doing that. The reason is that they are thorns and weeds, and trees without any fruit at all. They are fit for nothing except to be thrown into the fire. COMMENTARY ON JUDE.

THE METAPHORS OF STARS, CLOUDS, WAVES AND TREES. ANDREAS: The apostle’s words about these men who will not be pardoned have to be understood metaphorically. For he is not talking about stars and clouds, waves and trees, though he uses them as ex-amples, because what they have they have by nature, whereas these men have the same things by deliberate choice. For waterless clouds which are blown about by the winds are not punished, nor are fruitless trees which just die. Wild waves have nothing to be ashamed of either, because they are mindless and devoid of sense. Likewise, the stars we call planets do not inherit the darkness—sinful people do! The ones whom Jude is talking about are like wandering planets which are going along the pathway which is diametrically opposed to virtue. The darkness is reserved for them, not as stars but as men. For Jude’s point has nothing to do with stars or clouds or waves, but rather it is concerned with the animal-like behavior of men, their wickedness and corruption. CATENA.

BLEMISHES ON YOUR LOVE FEASTS. BEDE: Those who sin are blemished, because the crime itself is the blemish which contaminates the one who commits it. Likewise Jude calls heretics blemishes because not only do they eat and drink their way to damnation but they also lead others along the same path. ON JUDE.

Jude