Jude

Jude is a NT epistle, written by Jude, the Lord’s half-brother, and brother of James, who called himself a servant of Jesus Christ. Some consider it the most neglected book of the NT. It may have been written about 65 A.D., but the recipients are not known. It is remarkably similar to 2 Peter 2, so it is debated which one used the other as a source. Jude was concerned about false teachers who came into the church, denying Jesus Christ and changing the grace of God into a license for immorality (verse 4). He was going to write about salvation but decided to exhort believers to contend for the faith.

Jude cites examples of God’s judgment on apostasy, including the Jews delivered out of Egypt who did not believe (verse 5), demons who abandoned heaven and are bound with everlasting chains for judgment (verse 6), and Sodom and Gomorrah who gave themselves up to sexual immorality (verse 7).

These false teachers pollute their own bodies, reject authority, and slander celestial beings (verse 8). Even Michael, the archangel, did not slander the devil when disputing about the body of Moses, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you (verse 9).’ These men have taken the way of Cain, rushed into Balaam’s error, and been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion (verse 11).

These false teachers are shepherds who feed only themselves, clouds without rain, autumn trees without fruit, wild waves of the sea foaming up their shame, wandering stars for whom blackest darkness has been reserved (verses 12-13). Enoch prophesied about them that they will be convicted of their ungodly acts done in ungodly ways (verse 14-15). They are grumblers and fault-finders (verse 16). The apostles warned about scoffers who would follow their own ungodly desires in the last times (17-18). They do not have the Spirit (verse 19).

Then Jude gave advice for believers to avoid the false teaching and ungodly lifestyle he warned against. Believers were to build themselves up in their holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. They were to keep in God’s love (also mentioned in verse 1). The mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ would bring them to eternal life (verses 20-21). Believers were to show mercy, help others going astray carefully (verses 22-23). Jude ends with a beautiful doxology.