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 1:4
In 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 2:1
A 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 In
The 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 Discernment
The 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 Context
In 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 Today
The 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.1. (imp.) of Creep.

2. (p. p.) of Creep.

3. (v.) imp. & p. p. of Creep.

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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3921.htm - 7k

A Long Time Coming.
... The boy crept 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 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/a long time coming.htm

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 ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 22 imprisonment and death.htm

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. ... She crept in, and Diamond crept in beside her. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 4 and as she.htm

Appendix.
... images ... was one of those corruptions of Christianity which crept into the
church stealthily and almost without notice or observation. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /appendix.htm

The Card Parties
... became very sleepy. Going over to one corner of the room, he crept up on
a table and soon was apparently asleep. It happened, however ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter v the card parties.htm

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 had crept over the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the delays of love.htm

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 shadows crept slowly on ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the transfiguration.htm

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 men crept in unawares ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/2 the teaching of matthew.htm

The General Epistle of Jude
... False brethren had crept into the church who were, it would seem, practical libertines,
enemies of the cross of Christ, who abused their Christian liberty ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the general epistle of jude.htm

Adam's Sin
... [1] The occasion of it was the serpent's temptation. The devil crept into the serpent,
and spake in the serpent, as the angel in Balaam's ass; where, consider,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 adams sin.htm

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). ...
/c/crept.htm - 7k

Cremation

/c/cremation.htm - 9k

Jude (4 Occurrences)
... 1. Surreptitious Foes. "For there are certain men crept in privily.... ungodly ...
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in privily.... 2 ...
/j/jude.htm - 40k

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)
... In this case "Barachiah" would seem to be a gloss which has crept into the text
through confusion with the name of the father of the prophet Zechariah ...
/z/zachariah.htm - 9k

Ungodly (41 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:4 For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long
ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of ...
/u/ungodly.htm - 18k

Unawares (14 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/u/unawares.htm - 10k

Jubilee (25 Occurrences)
... 6. It would periodically rectify the disorders which crept into the state in the
course of time, preclude the division of the people into nobles and plebeians ...
/j/jubilee.htm - 27k

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) having crept in from ...
/j/jair.htm - 14k

License (3 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:4 For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long
ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of ...
/l/license.htm - 8k

Licentiousness (10 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:4 For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long
ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of ...
/l/licentiousness.htm - 9k

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Crept: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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