The Letter of Jude

Introduction to Jude’s Letter (v.1-2)

Who is Jude?

He was one of the original 12 apostles, also called Thaddeus

Matthew 10:3 (ESV)

Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

Luke 6:16 (ESV)

and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

John 14:22 (ESV)

Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?”

He was the brother of James the half-brother of Jesus

Matthew 13:55 (ESV)

Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?

Jude however feels it is necessary to not see him as merely the brother of Christ, but as a fellow slave of Jesus. We conclude from this that the most important relationship (especially, with God) is as a slave or servant of this same Jesus

When was it written?

Due to the scarcity of information, we must rely on the attestation of Clement (early church father in the (90’s AD) along with there being no mention of the destruction of the temple (70 AD). This puts the letter being authored in the late 60’s AD.

What is the context of this writing? (who is it for, and what is their challenge?)

Christianity is facing harsh political pressure/persecution from Rome

Gnostic-like apostates have infiltrated the church and are spreading heresies that would lead believers away from sound doctrine and into errors spread by their false doctrine

Jude seems to be writing to those who would have a deep knowledge of Jewish traditions, so he most likely is talking to those who had been converted from Judaism.

The Danger Within the Church (v.3-4)

v. 3

Jude shows his love for this group of believers by referring to them as “beloved”

He has an eagerness to take joy in the glory that is their “common salvation”, but is compelled by the Spirit to address this problem in the church

We see his plea for them (and by proxy, us) to fight or contend earnestly for this faith. “epagonizomai” - to fight/contend for seriously or with conviction. This term was derived from the ancient Roman wrestling matches that took place. He is drawing on the one-on-one, hand-to-hand combat and the struggle between those 2 forces.

This faith has been “once for all delivered to the saints”

this faith has already been established and therefore can’t/won’t be altered in any way

many other religions or cults directly contradict this plain statement. We see that these apostolic writings finish off the written revelation from God. There are no other writings necessary, and there are no additional church traditions required for our salvation.

v. 4

these are not false teachers in the sense that they have just misunderstood or incorrectly interpreted a small doctrinal matter, they have “crept in” deviously, with the intent to pervert or mislead the church

God knew they were coming and has given a warning of there danger and foretells their condemnation;

1 Peter 2:8 (ESV)

and

“A stone of stumbling,

and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Isaiah 8:14 (ESV)

And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Jude says they are twisting the grace of God as an excuse to freely live an ungodly life or to be caught up in “sensuality” (sexual perversion or sin)

Jesus Will Save His People…and Judge Sinners v.5-7

v. 5a

Here we see the value and beauty of textual criticism and the potential it has to bring truth to light. Before the turn of this century, Jude’s account said, “that the Lord, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt” or something roughly translated to that. The process of textual criticism, by examining the entirety of manuscripts we have of Jude, has shown that the earliest/most reliable copies show Jude identifying Israel’s rescuer as Jesus.

Jude 5 (KJV 1900)

I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

Jude 5 (ESV)

Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

Jude reiterates what we hear the angel tell Joseph about the then coming child and how He will fully live up to the name Jesus by saving “His people from their sins.” Which the recounting of Israel being led from Egypt demonstrates.

Matthew 1:21 (ESV)

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

v. 6b-7

In contrast to the faithful saving by Jesus of his people, we see 3 analogies that show He has and will bring judgement to sinners.

Jesus freed all of Israel from the chains of Egypt, but those who would not trust and follow God…were destroyed and did not reach the Promised Land.

the second analogy most likely draws on Jewish tradition and some apochryphal literature (and maybe Genesis 6), we see God even faithfully condemning angels who have rebelled and sinned. We can draw from this that even the judgement of God doesn’t show partiality.

in the third, Jude recalls the all too familiar account of Sodom and Gomorrah. They pursued the lusts of their wicked hearts and “their punishment of eternal fire” serves as a reminder and a promise of what will come of those who will not repent.

Reservations for their Outcome v. 8-16

v. 8-10

Jude connects these enemies to the ancient enemies “in like manner” and shows us how they are

the reject the authority of Holy Scripture and instead rely on their dreams for revelation

the are still serving the flesh and defile it with sexual immorality

they are blasphemers

Jude may be referring something (about Moses body after death) that has been lost to time. It isn’t recorded in the OT, but was apparently common amongst Jewish tradition

we can gather from v. 9 that even Michael the archangel, the highest ranking angel, knew his place in relation to Yahweh. He is not his own authority and he is not the Judge. These teachers have failed to recognize what the most powerful angel was able to submit to.

These teachers have no understanding of God’s salvific plan…and thus they blaspheme God. Like animals they follow their instincts (Jeremiah 17:9) and so, that which they do understand ultimately leads to their demise

v. 11-13

History repeats itself, and like those who refused to follow God before them. They are filled with hatred (a), greed (b), and rebellious (c). They wickedness and rebellion led to their ultimate judgement.

Cain (Genesis 4)

Balaam (Numbers 22)

Korah (Numbers 16)

As believers, we are called to be doers and not only hearers (James 1:22) of God’s word, these false teachers can be known by their works. They can look or sound like something good, but like clouds without water they bring nothing of worth to the body of Christ. Jesus tells us in Matthew how to find them out...

Matthew 7:15–20 (ESV)

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

These heretics will fizzle out like burnt-out stars, we must call them out so others don’t follow them to eternal darkness

v. 14-16

Jude quotes an extra biblical book 1 Enoch to bring his focus tighter in on their judgement. Jude’s quotation doesn’t give this book authority as Holy Scripture, nor does his use of tradition give authority Jewish/Church traditions. It does mean that at least in those instances…they contained truth!

Most false teachers don’t talk about judgement or punishment for sins. This would turn away a great amount of people that they could potentially use or abuse. Jude seems to counter their teaching with one focused on God’s righteous judgement of sinners…with a special focus on the judgement they themselves are guaranteeing from the heretical blasphemy

Jude tells us who these people really are behind the veneer. They are utterly dissatisfied, complainers and they are slaves to their fleshly passions. There boasting screams of their insecurities and desire to liked by others. Biases and favoritism are their weapon of choice for explotation.

How to Fight for the Faith v. 17-23

v. 17-19

Jude reminds them follow the apostles and what they taught us. We have the entire Bible, old and new testament to guide us. We must use God’s revealed word to decipher what truth is.

Acts 17:11 (ESV)

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

These “scoffers” are worldly unbelievers, and thus “devoid of the Spirit”. They were causing a division in the church. The heretics and false teachers of our day are devoid of the Holy Spirit, and seek selfish gain over preaching the word.

v.20-21

The prescription to the false teacher problem is:

build yourself up in THE Faith

pray in and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit

stay inside of God’s love

trust in God’s mercy

v. 22-23

We are called to show mercy on everyone, even on those who doubt or do not believe in Yahweh.

Jude calls us to save some by snatching them from the fire. It is not a requirement to live righteously to be saved. God saves the sinner “out of” or in the midst of their sin.

The gospel message is not for the holy or perfect person, they need no savior. God changes the sinner’s heart of stone into one of flesh…from hate for God and a slave of sin, love for God and hate for sin.

To the Only God, our Savior be glory… v. 24-25

Earlier, Jude called believers to proactively follow Christ. We will fail in doing so. Jude reminds us it is Jesus, not us, who keeps us from stumbling. Jesus, not us, who presents us blameless to the Father…and Jesus does this with great joy.

Salvation is of God, not man. If our salvation was contingent or dependent on us in any way, there would be no one who would or could attain it.

The same God who saves us, is the same God who keeps us…and to Him be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority.