Jude 24

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An Exegetical Study of Jude 24: Divine Preservation and Presentation

This exegetical study of What does it mean that God is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24)? is based on a b-greek discussion, for which a specific date is not provided in the original content.

The doxology of Jude 1:24–25 extols God as the one who possesses the capacity to preserve believers from spiritual failure and to present them blameless before His glorious presence with profound joy. This study seeks to investigate the precise theological and practical implications of God’s ability to “keep us from falling,” as articulated in the English translation, by examining the underlying Greek text.

The primary exegetical issue concerns the nature and extent of God’s preserving power, particularly as expressed by the Greek term ἀπταίστους, often translated as “from falling” or “unfallen.” Understanding this term, alongside the broader context of Jude’s epistle—which warns against false teachers and exhorts believers to contend for the faith—is crucial for grasping the doxology’s significance. The passage thus raises questions about human responsibility versus divine sovereignty in maintaining faith and purity, culminating in the believer’s final presentation before God.

Greek text (Nestle 1904)
Τῷ δὲ δυναμένῳ φυλάξαι ὑμᾶς ἀπταίστους καὶ στῆσαι κατενώπιον τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ ἀμώμους ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει,

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• There are no textual differences in Jude 24 between the Nestle 1904 text and the SBLGNT (2010) edition.

Textual Criticism (NA28): In Jude 24, the primary textual variant surrounds the pronoun `ὑμᾶς` (hymas, “you”) in contrast to `αὐτούς` (autous, “them”) and the less attested `ἡμᾶς` (hēmas, “us”). The NA28 text, consistent with many significant manuscripts including P72, Codex Sinaiticus (א), Codex Alexandrinus (A), and Codex Vaticanus (B), reads `ὑμᾶς` (“you”). However, a substantial number of manuscripts support `αὐτούς` (“them”), suggesting an early divergence in transmission. The reading `ἡμᾶς` (“us”) is found in a few less significant witnesses. The choice between `ὑμᾶς` and `αὐτούς` impacts the directness of the doxology, either addressing the immediate recipients (“you”) or speaking about all believers in the third person (“them”). Grammatically and contextually, both readings fit the doxological nature of the passage, though `ὑμᾶς` maintains the second-person address consistent with the preceding verses (e.g., Jude 20-21).

Lexical Notes (BDAG):

• δυναμένῳ (dynamenō): Present middle participle of δύναμαι (dynamai), “to be able, capable.” It denotes God’s inherent power and capacity to perform the actions that follow.
• φυλάξαι (phylaxai): Aorist active infinitive of φυλάσσω (phylassō), meaning “to guard, keep, preserve.” In the context of spiritual life, it signifies active protection against moral or spiritual failure. The theme of divine preservation is prominent throughout Jude (e.g., Jude 1, 6, 13), culminating in God as the ultimate keeper in this doxology.
• ἀπταίστους (aptaistous): An adjective, a hapax legomenon in the New Testament, meaning “not stumbling,” “steady,” or “without failure/blame.” It is derived from ἀ (alpha privative) and πταίω (ptaiō, “to stumble, make a mistake, sin,” cf. James 2:10; 3:2). Thus, “to keep you ἀπταίστους” implies preserving believers from moral failure or apostasy.
• στῆσαι (stēsai): Aorist active infinitive of ἵστημι (histēmi), meaning “to cause to stand, place, present.” Here, it refers to God’s act of presenting believers before His divine presence (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:8; Colossians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:13).
• κατενώπιον (katenōpion): A preposition, “before, in the presence of.” It emphasizes the solemnity and directness of the eschatological encounter.
• δόξης (doxēs): Genitive of δόξα (doxa), “glory, splendor, majesty.” Here, it refers to God’s glorious presence, particularly as it will be manifested at the day of judgment.
• ἀμώμους (amōmous): An adjective, “without spot or blemish,” “blameless,” “faultless.” It describes the moral purity and integrity of believers at their final presentation before God.
• ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει (en agalliasei): A prepositional phrase meaning “in exultation, with exceeding joy.” It describes the state of profound joy that will accompany the believers’ presentation before God (cf. 1 Peter 4:13).

Translation Variants

The doxology of Jude 24 begins with Τῷ δὲ δυναμένῳ (“Now to him who is able”), introducing the divine subject. The particle δέ (de) here serves a transitional and slightly emphatic function, signaling a shift to a concluding blessing after the preceding warnings and exhortations. The core of God’s ability is articulated through two parallel aorist infinitives: φυλάξαι (“to keep/preserve”) and στῆσαι (“to present”). Both infinitives take ὑμᾶς (“you”) as their direct object, emphasizing the direct benefit to the believers. The first infinitive, φυλάξαι, is modified by the predicate adjective ἀπταίστους, indicating the state in which believers are kept: “without stumbling” or “unfallen.” This highlights a continuous divine work of preservation. The second infinitive, στῆσαι, describes the eschatological act of presentation, with the predicate adjective ἀμώμους (“blameless, without fault”) specifying the condition of the presented believers. This presentation occurs κατενώπιον τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ (“before his glory”), signifying the divine tribunal and majestic presence. The conjunctive καὶ connecting the two infinitives can carry the sense of “and so” or “and accordingly,” implying that the second effect (presentation) is the ultimate result or culmination of the first (preservation). The phrase ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει (“with exceeding joy”) adverbially modifies the act of presentation, underscoring the triumphant and joyful disposition of the believers at this climactic moment. Rhetorically, the verse functions as a powerful affirmation of God’s unfailing power and faithfulness, providing solace and hope amidst the practical and theological challenges addressed in the epistle.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

Jude 24 presents a profound doxology that underscores God’s absolute power to preserve believers and bring them to a state of ultimate glory and joy. The passage emphasizes both a continuous, protective work (keeping from stumbling) and a definitive, eschatological act (presenting blameless). This divine capability is foundational to the believer’s assurance, especially within the context of the letter’s warnings against apostasy and false teaching. God not only protects from present dangers but also secures a future of unblemished purity and exultant joy in His presence.

Here are three suggested translations of Jude 24, each with a brief explanation:

1. To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before his glory with exceeding joy,
   This translation maintains a formal equivalence, directly reflecting the Greek structure and word order, particularly for “from stumbling” and “blameless.”
2. Now to Him who has the power to guard you from falling and to bring you faultless into the presence of His glory with great rejoicing,
   This version opts for more dynamic equivalents like “has the power to guard” and “bring you faultless,” while “great rejoicing” captures the intensity of ἀγαλλιάσει.
3. But to the God who can preserve you steadfast and cause you to stand immaculate in the magnificent presence of His glory, brimming with joy,
   This interpretation emphasizes the active nature of divine preservation with “preserve you steadfast,” and “immaculate” for ἀμώμους. “Magnificent presence” highlights the divine majesty, and “brimming with joy” provides a vivid portrayal of the final state.

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