Bible Book: Jude
Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.
Author: JudeType of Book: Epistle
Outline
Christian Greetings (1:1-2)
The Reason for the Letter (1:3-4)
A Warning Against False Teachers (1:5-16)
Their Doom Illustrated From the Past (1:5-7)
The Example of Unbelieving Israel (1:5)
The Example of Rebellious Angels (1:6)
The Example of Sodom and Gomorrah (1:7)
Their Description in the Present (1:8-16)
Abusive Speech (1:8-10)
Unholy Character (1:11)
Guilty Conduct (1:12-13)
Certain Judgment (1:14-16)
A Challenge to True Believers (1:17-23)
Remember the Predictions of the Apostles (1:17-19)
Build Your Faith, Pray in the Spirit and Remain in God’s Love (1:20-21)
Help Others in Mercy, Mixed With Fear (1:22-23)
Closing Praise (1:24-25)
Theme: Contending and Fighting for the Faith
Date of Writing: A.D. 70-80
Background
Jude identifies himself simply as the “brother of James” (v. 1). The only brothers mentioned in NT by the names of Jude (Gk Judas) and James are the half-brothers of Jesus (Mt 13:55; Mk 6:3). Though neither Judas nor James refers to himself as Jesus’ brother, others referred to them as such (cf. Jn 7:3-10; Ac 1:14; 1Co 9:5). It is likely that the brothers did not want to command special consideration as sons of Joseph and Mary and family members of Jesus. Perhaps Jude mentions James because James’ prominence as leader of the Jerusalem church would help to clarify Jude’s own identity and authority (see introduction to James and the NT book of James).
This brief but hard-hitting letter was written to warn true believers in Christ to resist false teachers who were antinomian (i.e., against the law) or libertine. This means that they took full liberty to do as they pleased since they did not consider themselves bound by fixed rules or laws. They taught that since spiritual salvation is a result of God’s grace (i.e., his unearned, undeserved favor and love), they were not obligated to obey even the moral standards of God’s law. As a result, they promoted sin without fear of judgment. Many believed that it did not matter what they did, particularly with their bodies, as long as they believed the right things. These were “godless men, who change the grace of God into a license for immorality” (v. 4). In addition, many of these deceivers scornfully denied the true and original revelation about the person and nature of Jesus Christ (v. 4). All of this false teaching caused division in the churches over what to believe (vv. 19a, 22) and how to behave (vv. 4, 8, 16). Jude describes these unprincipled men as “ungodly” (v. 15) and as those who “do not have the Spirit” (v. 19; see article on False Teachers).
That the content of both Jude and 2Pe 2:1-3:4 are so similar gives a more certain time frame for determining when Jude was written. Most likely, Jude was familiar with 2 Peter (vv. 17-18) and, therefore, wrote after Peter (i.e., sometime between A.D. 70-80). Some scholars, however, believe that the longer letter (2 Peter) incorporated much of the shared information from the shorter letter (Jude). This would mean that the writing of Jude would have been much earlier (in the early 60s of the first century). The recipients of this letter are not identified specifically; but whoever and wherever they were, they seemed to be facing similar issues as the Christians who received Peter’s second letter (see the introduction to 2 Peter).
Purpose
Jude wrote this letter (1) to urgently warn believers about the serious threat of false teachers and their destructive influence within the churches, and (2) to urgently challenge all true followers of Christ without reservation to rise up and “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (v. 3).
Survey
After his greetings (vv. 1-2), Jude reveals that his original goal was to write about the nature of spiritual salvation (v. 3a). However, he felt it necessary instead to write this letter because of the spiritually rebellious teachers who were perverting the message of God’s grace and undermining his standards of truth in the churches (v. 4). Jude charges them as being sexually impure (vv. 4, 8, 16, 18), compromising like Cain (i.e., the first murderer, v. 11), greedy like Balaam (v. 11), rebellious like Korah (v. 11), arrogant (vv. 8, 16), deceptive (vv. 4a, 12), sensual (v. 19) and causing division (v. 19). Jude declares the certainty of God’s judgment on all who commit such open and unashamed offenses against God and provides six OT examples (vv. 5-11) of the same wickedness. A twelve-part description of the false teachers’ lives reveals their ripeness for God’s wrath (i.e., his justified anger and punishment, vv. 12-16). In light of this, Jude challenges all true believers to guard themselves and to have compassion mixed with fear for those who are compromising or wavering in their faith (vv. 20-23). Jude concludes with a powerful and inspirational declaration of praise to God (vv. 24-25).
Special Features
Four major features characterize this letter. (1) It contains the NT’s most direct and dynamic passage of condemnation of false teachers. It clearly emphasizes for all generations the seriousness of the threat that false teaching always poses to genuine Christian faith and holy living. (2) It repeatedly uses triads—series of threes—e.g., three OT examples of judgment (vv. 5-7), a three-part description of the false teachers (v. 8) and three OT examples of ungodly men (v. 11) to make his points. (3) Under the full influence of the Holy Spirit, Jude freely refers to various written sources: (a) OT Scriptures (vv. 5-7, 11), (b) Jewish traditions (vv. 9, 14-15) and (c) 2 Peter, quoting directly from 3:3, which he acknowledges as being from the apostles, i.e., those personally authorized by Christ to deliver his original message and help establish the NT church (vv. 17-18). (4) It contains the most majestic NT benediction (i.e., closing blessing or praise).
Giving credit where credit is due. These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible. Don Stamps, editor. Originally published by Life Publishers.
