Jude 1:7 (KJV)

What does Jude 1:7 mean?

Jude 1:7 points to Sodom, Gomorrah, and nearby cities as examples of communities that faced severe punishment because they pursued sexual immorality and unnatural desires. The verse says their suffering—described as "the vengeance of eternal fire"—serves as a warning to others.

Jude, the brother of James, is writing to early Christians to caution them about people who distort their faith and live in ways that oppose God's ways. By mentioning Sodom and Gomorrah, Jude uses a well-known story from Genesis to highlight the seriousness of ignoring God's boundaries, especially regarding sexual conduct and moral choices.

The Greek behind Jude 1:7

• "fornication" (ἐκπορνεύω, ekporneuō): This word means to indulge in sexual immorality, often with the sense of going beyond accepted limits. Its use here emphasizes that the behavior was not just sexual but excessive and willful.
• "strange" (ἕτερος, heteros) + "flesh" (σάρξ, sarx): Together, these words mean "other" or "different" flesh, often understood as pursuing sexual relations outside the natural or intended order. This phrase highlights the unnatural aspect of their actions, not just immorality in general.
• "example" (δεῖγμα, deigma): This word means something set forth as a pattern or warning. Jude is stressing that the destruction of these cities is meant to be a visible lesson for others.
• "vengeance" (δίκη, dikē): This word refers to justice or punishment, not just revenge. It underscores that the suffering described is seen as a just consequence, not arbitrary anger.

Why Jude 1:7 matters

• Jude 1:7 clarifies that the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah was not just about one kind of sin but about a pattern of rejecting God's ways and pursuing desires without restraint.
• The verse connects the ancient story to Jude's warning about false teachers, showing that consequences for leading others astray are serious and real.
• By calling the punishment "eternal fire," Jude emphasizes the lasting seriousness of the warning, urging readers to take the example to heart rather than dismiss it as a distant story.