Topical Encyclopedia
The term "crept" is used in the Bible to describe the subtle and often unnoticed infiltration of false teachings or ungodly individuals into the Christian community. This concept is particularly highlighted in the New Testament, where the apostles warn believers to be vigilant against those who would secretly introduce destructive heresies or immoral practices.
Jude 1:4In the Epistle of Jude, the author warns the early Christians about certain individuals who have "crept in unnoticed." The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as: "For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." This verse underscores the danger posed by those who infiltrate the church with the intent to distort the message of grace and lead believers astray.
2 Peter 2:1A similar warning is found in
2 Peter 2:1, where the apostle Peter cautions against false teachers: "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves." The use of "secretly introduce" parallels the concept of "crept," emphasizing the covert nature of their actions.
Characteristics of Those Who Crept InThe individuals who "crept in" are often characterized by their ungodliness and their perversion of Christian doctrine. They are described as turning the grace of God into a license for immorality, suggesting a distortion of the gospel message that leads to moral laxity. Additionally, they are noted for denying the lordship of Jesus Christ, which is a fundamental tenet of the Christian faith.
Vigilance and DiscernmentThe biblical exhortation to be vigilant against those who have "crept in" serves as a call for discernment within the Christian community. Believers are encouraged to be rooted in sound doctrine and to test all teachings against the truth of Scripture. The presence of such individuals is not only a threat to the purity of the church but also a fulfillment of prophetic warnings about the challenges the church would face.
Historical ContextIn the early church, the infiltration of false teachings was a significant concern. The apostles, aware of the spiritual warfare facing the fledgling Christian communities, frequently addressed these issues in their letters. The warnings about those who "crept in" reflect the ongoing battle to preserve the integrity of the gospel message amidst external and internal pressures.
Application for TodayThe concept of individuals who have "crept in" remains relevant for contemporary Christians. The church today continues to face challenges from false teachings and moral compromise. The call to vigilance and adherence to biblical truth is as pertinent now as it was in the first century. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, to uphold the teachings of Scripture, and to guard against any influence that seeks to undermine the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp.) of Creep.
2. (p. p.) of Creep.
3. (v.) imp. & p. p. of Creep.
Greek
3921. pareisduo -- to settle in alongside... Word Origin from para and a comp. of eis and duno Definition to settle in alongside
NASB Word Usage
crept in unnoticed (1). creep in unawares.
...Library
A Long Time Coming.
... The boycrept up into his mother's lap, put his arms about her neck, and with his
baby eyes so close, said, "Mother, father's dead, and brothers and sister are...
Imprisonment and Death of John
... him. As week after week passed, bringing no change, despondency and doubt
crept over him. His disciples did not forsake him. They...
And as She Stood Looking Towards London, Diamond Saw that She was...
... And Diamond parted her hair with his hands,crept between, and feeling about soon
found the woven nest.... Shecrept in, and Diamondcrept in beside her....
Appendix.
... images ... was one of those corruptions of Christianity whichcrept into the
church stealthily and almost without notice or observation....
The Card Parties
... became very sleepy. Going over to one corner of the room, hecrept up on
a table and soon was apparently asleep. It happened, however...
The Delays of Love
... scrupulous carefulness in pointing out that His love was Christ's reason for His
quiescence may reflect a remembrance of the doubts that hadcrept over the...
The Transfiguration.
... in quick succession.' [3684] From high up there, as one describes it, [3685] a deep
ruby flush came over all the scene, and warm purple shadowscrept slowly on...
The Teaching of Matthew 13 Proves that no Era of Millennial...
... and bring upon themselves swift destruction" (2:Pet.2:1). Jude, likewise, had reference
to such when he declared, "For there are certain mencrept in unawares...
The General Epistle of Jude
... False brethren hadcrept into the church who were, it would seem, practical libertines,
enemies of the cross of Christ, who abused their Christian liberty...
Adam's Sin
... [1] The occasion of it was the serpent's temptation. The devilcrept into the serpent,
and spake in the serpent, as the angel in Balaam's ass; where, consider,....
Thesaurus
Crept (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp.) of Creep. 2. (pp) of Creep. 3. (v.) imp.
& pp of Creep. Multi-Version Concordance
Crept (3 Occurrences).
...Cremation
Jude (4 Occurrences)
... 1. Surreptitious Foes. "For there are certain mencrept in privily.... ungodly...
Jude 1:4 For there are certain mencrept in privily.... 2...
Zachariah (6 Occurrences)
... In this case "Barachiah" would seem to be a gloss which hascrept into the text
through confusion with the name of the father of the prophet Zechariah...
Ungodly (41 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:4 For there are certain men whocrept in secretly, even those who were long
ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of...
Unawares (14 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:4 For there are certain mencrept in unawares, who were before of old ordained
to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into...
Jubilee (25 Occurrences)
... 6. It would periodically rectify the disorders whichcrept into the state in the
course of time, preclude the division of the people into nobles and plebeians...
Jair (14 Occurrences)
... the parallel passage (2 Samuel 21:19) his name is given as "Jaare-oregim," but the
text should be corrected to Jair, "oregim" ('oreghim) havingcrept in from...
License (3 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:4 For there are certain men whocrept in secretly, even those who were long
ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of...
Licentiousness (10 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:4 For there are certain men whocrept in secretly, even those who were long
ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of...
Resources
What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Aleppo Codex? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are false apostles? | GotQuestions.orgCrept: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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