Woe to them, because they go in the way of Cain, and pour out themselves in the error of Balaam for profit, and in the verbal contradiction of Korah they perish (Jude 11).
The trajectory of those who have infiltrated the Church, turning the grace of God into licentiousness, rejecting authority, and maligning dignitaries, leads to destruction. Cain, who followed Satan, exemplified malignant evil in his actions (1 John 3:12). His offering, rooted in the works of his own hands, was designed to influence others to adopt his approach—a methodology that seeks justification before God through human effort. Similarly, many contemporary false teachers misuse passages from the Sermon on the Mount, the Psalms, and Proverbs to persuade Christians to pursue righteousness based on personal works.
False teachers also emulate Balaam, who pursued unrighteous gain and was willing to compromise his integrity for financial reward, offering his services to Balak (2 Peter 2:15). Such doctrines have afflicted the Church since its early history (Revelation 2:14). Some teachers exploit their congregants to acquire wealth and prestige with local authorities or to secure loans, thereby imposing financial burdens on their assemblies under the pretense of advancing the kingdom of God. This behavior is not limited to teachers; many leaders within the assemblies adopt similar practices. They employ secular methodologies, popular teachings, and commercialize religious instruction to profit from attendees.
Just as Korah perished for opposing Moses, these individuals also bring destruction upon themselves by speaking against God’s appointed ministers (Numbers 16:23; 2 Corinthians 11:15). They adopt worldly wisdom, prioritizing the appeal of faith to unbelievers while distorting the truth (Romans 1:25; Colossians 2:20–23). Their teachings and methods result in spiritual ruin for many Christians who follow them (1 Corinthians 10:9; 2 John 8). By employing Christian terminology, imagery, and clichés, they deceive the unsuspecting while serving their own interests (Romans 16:18). Those ensnared by their influence fail to achieve maturity in their Christian lives (2 Timothy 3:7).
Jude emphasizes that contemporary times are perilous, not due to war or conflict, but because individuals are self-centered, materialistic, boastful regarding their status and followers, lacking in love, arrogant, and more devoted to pleasure than to God (2 Timothy 3:1–4). The Church is therefore urged to heed Paul’s warning and distance itself from such individuals.
