Jude 1-10

Jude is one of the shortest books in the Bible, but packed with significant doctrine. The overall theme of the book is that believers should remain firm in their faith and resist the influence of false teachers.

Jude 1-4

Jude identifies himself as the author, and though there is some debate on the identity of the person, he states he’s the brother of James (Gal. 1:19), which makes them both the half-brothers of Jesus (Matt. 13:55; John 7:2-6). Names were commonly spelled differently, depending on the language, just as nowadays many people go by nicknames or middle names.

Scripture indicates that Jesus’ brothers only came to faith after His Resurrection (Acts 1:14). While James is widely known and associated with the church in Jerusalem, little else is known about Jude aside from him being married and having a high station among the Church (1 Cor. 9:5).

The recipients of the letter were primarily Jewish Christians who were called, beloved, and kept.

The Church is called and loved by God (1 Pet. 2:9), and kept by Jesus Christ in His hands (John 10:27-28).

Jude had initially intended to write to these believers about their “common salvation,” but something else caused him to change his topic of discussion.

Jude felt it was necessary to appeal to them to contend earnestly for the faith.

Certain persons crept into the Church unnoticed, who:

turn grace into licentiousness (unrestrained indulgence in fleshly pleasures), and

deny Jesus Christ.

The faith to which Jude refers is the common gospel of Christianity (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 2:8-9). We must hold fast to this faith and not allow false teaching to mislead us.

The false teaching gave license to sin (Rom. 6:1-7).

They denied Christ (2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 2:22).

Jude 5-7

Jude recognizes that his audience already is familiar with Jewish history and Scriptures, but reminds them of a few things.

He first recounts the Hebrew history, after having won their freedom from Egypt miraculously, they reject the Promised Land God was giving them (Heb. 3:16-19).

The angels referenced here in verse 6 actually refers to something we will study in depth when we resume our study in Genesis, chapter 6.

Essentially, these angels came down to earth when they should not have and did things (later), and because of this, God has kept them imprisoned awaiting judgment (Matt. 25:41; 2 Pet. 2:4; Rev. 20:10).

His final example here are the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, being compared to the fallen angels who did the same thing, indulged in gross immorality and went after “strange flesh.” (Gen. 13:13; 18:20; 19:4-5, 24-25; 2 Pet. 2:6)

Jude 8-10

Jude continues his comparison by showing that these false teachers and prophets do all the same things in their own manner, and in some cases by way of dreaming.

They defile the flesh in the same manner as Sodom and Gomorrah, through sexual immorality.

They reject the authority of God in the same manner as the Hebrews did in the wilderness.

They revile angelic majesties in the same manner as the fallen angels did themselves.

We know a lot about what angels will do when the end times comes upon us from Revelation.

Note that they revile the spiritual things, which they don’t understand. Jude gives an example of Michael to show a proper handling of spiritual matters.

Exo. 22:28; Deut. 34:5-6; Zec. 3:2.

In acting out according to their flesh (instinct), they reap destruction (2 Pet. 2:10-14).

Here is where we will stop for today, but there are some things of note to discuss:

APPLICATION

Believers should remain firm in their faith and resist the influence of false teachers.

We need to contend earnestly for the faith.

False teachers will attempt to lead us astray by turning grace into immorality and denying Jesus Christ.