Jude 1:11

French (BFC) 1997 (Bible en Français Courant)

Malheur à eux! Ils ont suivi le chemin de Caïn; ils se sont livrés à l'erreur pour de l'argent, comme Balaam; ils ont péri parce qu'ils se sont révoltés comme Coré.

What Does This Mean?

This verse is a warning from Jude about people who follow the wrong path, like Cain who killed his brother out of jealousy, Balaam who sought rewards for leading others astray, and Korah who rebelled against authority. The key message is to avoid greed and rebellion.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're on a team, but some players start cheating by stealing the ball from others or making up their own rules just to win. Jude says it's like that with these people - they follow bad examples from the past who did wrong things for selfish reasons.

Historical Background

Jude wrote this letter around AD 60-80 to early Christians warning them about false teachers and corrupt leaders within the church community. The audience was likely Christian communities facing internal conflicts and external pressures in a predominantly pagan Roman Empire.

Living It Out Today

In today’s world, we can apply this verse by being cautious of people who promote selfish ambitions or unethical practices for personal gain. For example, in corporate settings, avoiding colleagues who manipulate others to climb the career ladder at any cost is a practical application of Jude's warning.

Topics

• sin
• warn
• authority
• rebellion
• greed
• deception

Related Verses

• Genesis 4:8
• Numbers 22:1-35
• Numbers 16:1-50
• Matthew 7:15-20
• Hebrews 12:14

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Cain, Balaam, and Korah in the Bible?

Cain was Adam and Eve's first son who killed his brother Abel. Balaam was a prophet bribed to curse Israel but blessed them instead. Korah led a rebellion against Moses' leadership.

What does 'ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward' mean?

It means seeking personal gain or reward through deceitful actions, similar to how Balaam tried to curse Israel for money but was unable to due to divine intervention.

How can we avoid following in these negative examples mentioned by Jude?

We must stay true to our faith and not let greed or rebellion influence us. Seeking guidance from the Bible and wise leaders can help us make right choices.

What does 'perished in the gainsaying of Core' mean?

It refers to Korah's rebellion against Moses, which led to his destruction along with his followers when God punished them for their disobedience.