Generally, the reference to defiling the flesh is understood as immoral sexual acts (for example, Jude 1:7), and rejecting authority refers to a rejection of God’s commands as revealed in Scripture. Regarding the glorious ones there has been debate, commentators variously understanding this to be a reference to civic authorities, ecclesiastic authorities, or angelic beings. Given the fact that Jude 1:9 sets up a contrast between the heretics and the archangel Michael, it seems as if angelic beings are most likely in view.1 Exactly what it means to blaspheme glorious ones (angels) is not clear. One suggestion is that it refers to the heretics justifying their disobedience of God’s law by claiming that the angels who gave it to Moses were not worthy of respect (see Acts 7:53). They do not acknowledge the angels to be messengers of God and somehow consider themselves to be better than the angels.2
8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.