What does Jude 4 mean by "before of old ordained to this condemnation"?

Whosoever Will, The Decree That Isn't Written Down: The verb is prographo. The New Testament uses it four times. The other three mean written aforetime, set forth publicly, or wrote afore. The object in Jude 4 is “this condemnation,” not a man’s unbelief. Jude then points to prior writing: Enoch (vv. 14-15) and the apostles (vv. 17-18). Men of this kind were written of beforehand. The condemnation awaiting such men was set down in advance. Do not call the verse “only a prophecy.” That overclaims. Say what the grammar says. The object is the condemnation. Jude names prior writings. The verse does not say God decreed these specific men’s gospel-refusal as the cause of their damnation. “ordained to this condemnation” is made to do that work by the system. The word on the page is prographo, and Jude tells you where to look. Scripture, King James Version: Jude 1:4, "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.".

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-18.