Jude 1:15

Jude 1:15, in plain English

The Lord will judge everyone, convicting all ungodly people for every ungodly deed and every harsh word they've spoken against Him.

Why it's here

Jude completes the Enoch quote. Nothing escapes God's notice—not actions, not words. Every act of wickedness, every cruel word spoken against God or His people, is accounted for. This is comprehensive judgment. The false teachers might think they're getting away with it, but nothing is hidden from God. They'll answer for every single thing they've done and said. It's not a partial accounting; it's total.

Who's speaking

Jude, completing Enoch's prophecy about divine judgment.

Where it sits in the story

This connects to Jesus's own teaching about words and judgment—'by your words you will be condemned.' Nothing is truly hidden; God sees all and will judge all.

The scholarly reading

The Lord comes to execute judgment on all and convict the ungodly of every act of wickedness and harsh word they spoke against him.

Language and setting

The continuation of the Enoch prophecy specifies judgment's comprehensiveness: it encompasses 'every ungodly act' (pasan ergon aselgeias) and 'every harsh word' (panta rhema skleron). The phrase 'spoken against him' (lalasen kata autou) emphasizes blasphemous speech as particularly transgressive. Judgment is rendered not arbitrarily but according to deeds and words—the forensic scrutiny extends to both action and utterance. This represents what Theodore of Mopsuestia called 'discriminating judgment'—not blanket condemnation but careful assessment of every aspect of rebellion.

Voice

Jude, completing the Enoch prophecy

Significance

The eschatological judgment becomes not distant abstraction but vivid reality: every word uttered against God stands recorded, awaiting trial. The false teachers' slanderous speech will be brought into evidence against them.

13They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

14Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them: “Behold, the Lord is coming with myriads of His holy ones

15to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.”

16These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.

17But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ

Read all of Jude 1 — Jude intended to write about salvation. Instead, he writes about danger — false teachers who have crept in unnoticed. His response is urgent.