Albert Barnes Commentary Jude 1:16

"These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words]), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage." — Jude 1:16 (ASV)

These are murmurers. The word used here does not occur elsewhere, though the word murmur is frequent (Matthew 20:11; Luke 5:30; John 6:41, 43, 61; John 8:32; 1 Corinthians 10:10).

Compare John 7:12; Acts 6:1; Philippians 2:14; and 1 Peter 4:9. The sense is that of repining or complaining under the allotments of Providence, or finding fault with God's plans, purposes, and actions.

Complainers. Literally, "finding fault with one's own lot" (mempsimoiroi). The word itself does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, though the behavior it describes often occurs in this world.

Nothing is more common than for people to complain of their lot: to think that it is hard, to compare their own lot with that of others, and to blame God for not having made their circumstances different.

The poor complain that they are not rich like others; the sick, that they are not well; the enslaved, that they are not free; the bereaved, that they are deprived of friends; the ugly, that they are not beautiful; those in humble life, that their lot was not cast among the great and the splendid.

The virtue that is opposed to this is contentment—a virtue of inestimable value (see the notes on Philippians 4:11).

Walking after their own lusts. This means giving unlimited indulgence to their appetites and passions (see the notes on 2 Peter 3:3).

And their mouth speaks great swelling words (see the notes on 2 Peter 2:18).

Having men's persons in admiration. This means showing great respect to certain people, particularly the rich and the great.

The idea is that they were not just in the esteem they had for others, or that they did not appreciate them according to their real worth, but instead paid special attention to one class of people to promote their selfish ends.

Because of advantage (that is, 'for gain's sake'). They did this because they hoped to derive some benefit for themselves.