“These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves” (Jude 12).

First, let’s consider what is meant by “love feasts.” These feasts may be thought of as something much like what we call a church “potluck meal.” Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215 A.D.) wrote of this meal saying, “Agape is truly heavenly food… the meal occurs because of love, not love because of the meal, which is proof of a generous and shared good will” (Everett Ferguson, Early Christians Speak, p. 129, quoting Clement of Alexandria, Instructor, Book 2, Chapter 1). Tertullian (c. 150-222 A.D.) said, “Our feast shows its motive by its name. It is called by the Greek word for love. Whatever is reckoned the cost, money spent in the name of piety, is gain, since with that refreshment we benefit the needy… As is so with God, there is a greater consideration for the lowly… We do not recline at the table before prayer to God… We converse as those who know the Lord listens” (Ferguson, p. 130 quoting Tertullian, Apology 39:16-18). It is good for brethren to visit and spend time together.

Second, let’s consider what is meant by “spots.” Peter speaks of “spots and blemishes” in their feasts with them (2 Peter 2:13) which refers to impurity or unholiness (cf. 1 Peter 1:19). The word used for “spot” is a related but different word in Jude. It is rendered by some translators as “hidden rocks” (ASV) or “hidden reefs” (NASB, ESV). The word is defined to by lexicons to mean, “a rock or reef over which the sea dashes” (Vine’s); “a rock in the sea, ledge or reef” (Thayer). This seems to refer to unseen dangers that could lead to shipwreck (cf. 1 Timothy 1:18-20; Titus 1:10-11). Guy N. Woods comments, “Like sunken reefs which could not be seen on the surface, but which would inevitably wreck any ship which struck them, so those men gave no warning of the threat they posed” (Gospel Advocate, A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles of Peter, John, and Jude, p. 395). The point is that there were dangers even among them in the church. There were false teachers and bad influences. Isn’t that sad!

Lessons For Us

1. We need to be wise and discerning. We need to be able to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).

2. We should use our time together to help, and not hinder, one another. “Let us consider one another to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). “Therefore, comfort each other and edify one another just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).