And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

JUDE 1:6KJV
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Jude 1:6 (KJV)

What does Jude 1:6 mean?

Jude 1:6 describes how certain angels did not remain faithful to their original position or responsibility, but instead abandoned their proper place, and as a result, God has kept them in permanent restraint—described as "everlasting chains under darkness"—until the final judgment. The verse uses the fate of these angels as a warning about the consequences of rebelling against God's order.

Jude, the brother of James, is writing to early Christians to warn them about false teachers and to encourage them to remain faithful. In this verse, Jude refers to a well-known tradition about angels who overstepped their bounds, using their example to show that even powerful spiritual beings are not exempt from God's judgment when they rebel. The language emphasizes the seriousness of leaving one’s appointed place and the certainty of divine justice.

The Greek behind Jude 1:6

  • ἀρχή (archē, "estate"): This word often means "beginning" or "origin," but here it is understood as "position" or "domain." Jude is highlighting that the angels abandoned the special role or authority God originally gave them.
  • ἰδίος (idios, "own"): This word stresses that the angels left what was uniquely theirs, not just any place but their own proper dwelling or sphere.
  • δεσμός (desmos, "chains"): This word suggests a real, binding restraint, not just a metaphorical one. The idea is that these angels are truly held back, unable to act freely until judgment.
  • ζόφος (zophos, "darkness"): This word refers to deep, impenetrable darkness, emphasizing the seriousness and severity of their confinement.

Why Jude 1:6 matters

  • Jude 1:6 clarifies that even angels—beings of great power—are subject to God’s authority and can face lasting consequences for rebellion, countering any idea that spiritual beings are above accountability.
  • The verse connects the fate of these angels to the broader warning in Jude against false teachers, showing that abandoning one’s God-given place or role leads to judgment.
  • By using strong language about chains and darkness, Jude emphasizes the seriousness of spiritual rebellion and the certainty of future judgment, reinforcing the need for faithfulness among his readers.

Where else these words appear

“habitation” Greek G3613 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

“everlasting” Greek G126 · used in 2 verses

  • Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

“darkness” Greek G2217 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
  • 2 Peter 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
  • Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

“left” Greek G620 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Timothy 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
  • 2 Timothy 4:20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
  • Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.