These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
English Standard Version (ESV)
These individuals aren't just unhappy with their circumstances; they're actively complaining against God's plan and showing favoritism to the powerful. Their "loud-mouthed boasting" is a cover for a deep discontent and a willingness to manipulate relationships for personal gain.
These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jude is describing destructive individuals who have infiltrated the church, characterized by their internal discontent and outward arrogance. These people aren't just unhappy; they constantly complain and follow their own selfish desires, while simultaneously boasting and currying favor with others for personal gain. This behavior is presented as a pattern of ungodliness that stands in stark contrast to the faithfulness Jude urges his readers to maintain.
Ever felt frustrated with your circumstances or God's timing? Jude calls out specific types of people who are deeply dissatisfied, and understanding their mindset is key to not falling into their trap.
Jude describes these individuals with two powerful words: 'grumblers' and 'complainers.' These aren't just people having a bad day; they represent a deep-seated discontent.
Grumbling Against the System
'Grumblers' (γογγυσταί - gongustai) suggests a secret, muttered discontent, often directed against God's ordinances, His ministers, or His overall plan for the world. Think of it as a constant, low-level muttering of dissatisfaction.
Complaining About Your Lot
'Complainers' (μεμψίμοιροι - mempsimoiri) is more specific, focusing on dissatisfaction with one's personal circumstances. These are people who constantly find fault with their lot in life, comparing themselves to others and blaming God for their situation. They are never satisfied.
This discontent stems from following their own desires, making themselves the ultimate standard for what life should be, rather than accepting God's sovereign rule and provision.
These divisive people aren't just unhappy; they're actively manipulative. Discover how their loud words and selective respect are all part of a dangerous game.
Beyond their internal dissatisfaction, Jude exposes the outward behavior of these troublemakers: their boastful words and their manipulative favoritism.
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'Great Swelling Words'
Their 'mouth speaketh great swelling words' (ὑπερόγκων - hyperongkon). This describes arrogant, inflated speech, often used to impress others or to mask their own insecurities and sin. They sound impressive, perhaps even spiritual, but their words are empty and self-aggrandizing.
Favoritism for Advantage
This boastfulness is coupled with 'showing favoritism' (θαυμάζοντες πρόσωπα - thaumazontes prosopa), but crucially, it's 'to gain advantage.' They don't genuinely respect people for who they are; they selectively admire and flatter those who can benefit them—the rich, the powerful, or those who can advance their agenda. This is a form of hypocrisy, where their outward show of admiration serves their selfish desires and ultimately undermines unity and truth.
This combination of arrogant speech and self-serving flattery reveals a deep disconnect between their claims and their character. They are driven by their own sinful desires, using both inflated rhetoric and manipulative relationships to achieve their ends.
Understand the original words
gongystēs · Greek Noun
A person who expresses dissatisfaction, complaining, or murmuring against God or divinely appointed authority. In a biblical context, it often refers to those who rebel against God's providence.
mempsimoiros · Greek Noun
Individuals who are dissatisfied with their lot in life; specifically, those who murmur against God's dispensations and are discontent with His will.
epithymia · Greek Noun
The innate, corrupted human nature or inclination toward evil that remains in the unregenerate; it is the source of sinful actions and desires that oppose God's will.
hyperonkos · Greek Adjective
Those who speak with arrogance or excessive pride, often for the purpose of self-exaltation or intimidation. It denotes a person who boasts grandiosely about their own status or accomplishments.
thaumazō prosōpon · Greek Verb phrase
To regard persons with partiality or to show bias for the sake of material gain, violating the biblical principle of impartial justice and love for one's neighbor.
This passage describes the Israelites grumbling and complaining to the Lord, mirroring the discontent and fault-finding with God's providence that Jude condemns in these false teachers.
Deuteronomy 28:47-48This passage warns that if Israel did not serve the Lord with joy, they would serve their enemies in hunger and thirst, lacking all things. This echoes Jude's depiction of those who are never satisfied with their lot due to their ungodly desires.
2 Peter 2:18Peter describes similar false teachers who speak 'great swelling words of emptiness' and entice others through 'sensual passions of the flesh.' This highlights the shared characteristic of boastful, empty speech used to ensnare others.
Proverbs 14:9This proverb states that 'fools make a mock at sin,' which aligns with the attitude of Jude's targets who, by walking in their lusts, disregard the consequences and authority of God, speaking boastfully rather than in humility.
Luke 16:13-15Jesus declares that no servant can serve two masters, for he will hate one and love the other, and that 'what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.' This directly contrasts the false teachers' flattering of the rich and powerful for gain with God's ultimate judgment and values.
barnesJude 1:16: "These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage."
These are murmurers - The word here used does not elsewhere occur, though the word "murmur" is frequent, Matthew 20:11 ; Luke 5:30 ; John 6:41 , John 6:43 , John 6:61 ; John 7:32 ; 1 Corinthians 10:10 . Compare John 7:12 ; Acts 6:1 ; Philippians 2:14 ; 1 Peter 4:9 . The sense is that of repining or complaining under…
jfbJude 1:16: "These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage."
- murmurers—in secret: muttering murmurs against God's ordinances and ministers in Church and state. Compare Jude 8, "speak evil of dignities"; Jude 15, "hard speeches"; against the Lord.complainers—never satisfied with their lot (Nu 11:1; compare the penalty, De 28:47, 48).walking after their own lusts—(Jude 18).…
These individuals aren't just unhappy with their circumstances; they're actively complaining against God's plan and showing favoritism to the powerful. Their "loud-mouthed boasting" is a cover for a deep discontent and a willingness to manipulate relationships for personal gain.
Jude is describing destructive individuals who have infiltrated the church, characterized by their internal discontent and outward arrogance. These people aren't just unhappy; they constantly complain and follow their own selfish desires, while simultaneously boasting and currying favor with others for personal gain. This behavior is presented as a pattern of ungodliness that stands in stark contrast to the faithfulness Jude urges his readers to maintain.
Jude is describing destructive individuals who have infiltrated the church, characterized by their internal discontent and outward arrogance. These people aren't just unhappy; they constantly complain and follow their own selfish desires, while simultaneously boasting and currying favor with others for personal gain. This behavior is presented as a pattern of ungodliness that stands in stark contrast to the faithfulness Jude urges his readers to maintain.
"These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage." — These individuals aren't just unhappy with their circumstances; they're actively complaining against God's plan and showing favoritism to the powerful. Their "loud-mouthed boasting" is a cover for a…
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Last reviewed October 2026