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General letters · New Testament · 1 chapter

The book of Jude

Contending for the faith delivered once for all

Author
Jude, “brother of James” (1:1), traditionally the half-brother of Jesus
Written
Probably between AD 65 and 80
Time covered
The second half of the 1st century, when ungodly men were infiltrating the churches
Key word
Contend

Jude meant to write about salvation; he writes for a battle instead. Ungodly men have crept in among believers, turning grace into licentiousness and denying Jesus Christ (1:3-4). Three examples recall that God judges: the unbelieving people who came out of Egypt, the angels who left their own habitation, Sodom and Gomorrah (1:5-7). These men revile what they do not understand, whereas even the archangel Michael dared not revile the devil (1:8-10). They follow Cain, Balaam, and Korah (1:11); Jude depicts them in striking images and cites the prophecy of Enoch (1:12-16). To the beloved he says: build yourselves up, pray, keep yourselves in the love of God, and rescue others (1:17-23). A famous doxology concludes the letter (1:24-25).

Main theme

Ungodly men have crept into the church and turn God’s grace into an excuse for sin; believers must contend for the faith, keep themselves in the love of God, and count on the one who is able to keep them from falling.

Outline

  1. Jude 1-4 — Why Jude writes

    Greeting, then an urgent call to contend for the faith against infiltrating ungodly men.

  2. Jude 5-16 — The ungodly and their judgment

    Examples of past judgments, a portrait of the ungodly, and the prophecy of Enoch.

  3. Jude 17-23 — Instructions for the beloved

    Remember the apostles, keep yourselves in the love of God, and rescue others.

  4. Jude 24-25 — The closing doxology

    Glory to God, who is able to keep believers from falling.

Key points

  • Jude, “servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,” writes to those who are called, beloved, and kept (1:1).
  • We must contend for the faith “once for all delivered unto the saints” (1:3).
  • The ungodly turn the grace of God into licentiousness and deny Jesus Christ (1:4).
  • Three judgments as examples: unbelieving Israel, the fallen angels, Sodom and Gomorrah (1:5-7).
  • The archangel Michael dared not revile the devil, but said: “The Lord rebuke thee!” (1:9).
  • The ungodly follow the way of Cain, the error of Balaam, and the rebellion of Korah (1:11).
  • The faithful build themselves up, pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep themselves in the love of God (1:20-21).
  • God is able to keep his own from falling and to present them blameless before his glory (1:24).
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jude 3 — The call to defend a faith delivered once for all, without adding anything to it.
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 20–21 — The believer’s program in the face of error: build yourself up, pray, remain in the love of God.
And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Jude 22–23 — To defend the faith is also to seek to pull the wandering out of the fire.

Jesus in Jude

Jesus Christ is “our only Master and Lord” (1:4): to deny him is the heart of apostasy. Believers are “kept for Jesus Christ” (1:1) and look for “the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (1:21). It is “through Jesus Christ our Lord” that glory belongs to God our Savior, from eternity to eternity (1:25).

Did you know?

  • Jude cites a prophecy of Enoch that is not found in the Old Testament but in an ancient Jewish writing, the Book of Enoch (1:14-15). Citing a writing does not mean declaring it inspired: Paul also quotes Greek poets (Acts 17:28).
  • The dispute between Michael and the devil over the body of Moses (1:9) is told nowhere else in the Bible; the Old Testament says only that no one knows where he was buried (Deut 34:6).
  • The Greek verb “to keep” (tēreō) sets the rhythm of the letter: believers are “kept” for Jesus Christ (1:1), the angels “kept not” their first estate (1:6), and the faithful must “keep” themselves in the love of God (1:21).

Quiz on Jude

Whose brother does Jude say he is?

For what does Jude urge his readers to contend?

About what did the archangel Michael contend with the devil?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.