Jude

This is another short letter. The writer might have been a younger brother of the Lord Jesus (Mark 6:3). The words ‘brother of James’ may show this (Matthew 13:55). Or it might be ‘Judas, not Iscariot’. This was one of the original 12 disciples (Luke 6:16. They were the men whom Jesus chose).

The letter had one main subject. And it was the same as the subject of 2 Peter. There are other similar things in these two letters. The structures are the same. And they use similar descriptions and words.

There was a danger from some Christians at that time. They were believers. But they thought that this was sufficient. Their moral behaviour did not matter. And Jude warned them against this false teaching. But he encouraged the people who read his letters, and us too. God does not leave us to live the Christian life on our own. And this is true whatever our difficulties might be. God will help us in our battle against Satan (v.24).

First, there was a greeting (vs.1-2). The author often used groups of three words. Here are two examples of them:

• called, loved, kept
• mercy, peace, love.

There are two main sections:

Fight for the Faith [What Christians Believe] (Verses 3-16)

Jude wanted to write about something. It was ‘the salvation that we all share together’ (verse 3). But there was an immediate need. So he dealt with it. He warned the people who read his letter. God gave his message to faithful people in the past. But there were false people in the present. They had come into the Christian group. But they were really against God. They were trying to spoil God's message.

Jude emphasised some facts:

The errors were very serious. The false teachers changed the Bible's idea of grace. Christ is unique. There is nobody else who is like him. And they denied this fact.

There were examples of these errors from history (verses 5-7). Jude described how serious the matter was by using 3 Old Testament examples. They were groups who all refused God's authority. They were:

• the Jews who refused to believe God's word. (Read 1 Corinthians 10:5.)
• the angels who refused to accept God's place for them. (Read 2 Peter 2:4.)
• the citizens who refused to follow God's rules. (Read Genesis 18-19.)

People who refuse to listen to God's warnings deserve God's punishment.

The errors had bad qualities that destroyed (verses 8-13). Jude described another group of three people described people who practised them. They:

• were dirty with sin
• were proud
• said bad things against angels (verse 8).

And this showed how evil they were.

Jude mentioned two things that Jewish writers wrote about. The first (vs.9-10) came from a story. Its name was ‘The Assumption of Moses’. [Note: Assumption’ refers to Moses’ entry into heaven.] The story described a fight with words. It was between the chief angel, Michael, and the devil. They were arguing about the body of Moses. Even the chief angel was careful how he spoke. He said ‘May the Lord punish you’ (v.9). But these false teachers were not like that. They spoke against things that they did not understand. They were more like animals than men (verse 10).

Jude had other groups of three. This time it was three people who showed three attitudes. There was Cain who showed a lack of love. There was Balaam who was greedy for money. And there was Korah. He was proud and he refused authority. (Read Genesis 4:8-9; Numbers 22:1-25:3; 16:1-3 and 31-35.)

There are some clear word pictures. And they helped to show the importance of Jude's warning. These dangerous teachers were like:

• greedy shepherds (people who care for sheep)
• clouds that do not have rain
• trees that do not have fruit
• waves that are out of control
• stars that wander in the sky (verses 12-13).

The errors would bring certain judgement (vs.14-16). Here was Jude's second use of Jewish writers. It came from the ‘Book of Enoch’. Its date was the first or second century BC.

[Note: BC means Before Christ.]

The book declared that the Lord would return. And there would be judgement for these dangerous people. They had made God very sad by their sins. Their speech was against God. They chose to give pleasure to themselves. And they were proud (v.15).

Continue in the Faith [What Christians Believe] (Verses 17-25)

There were many people who opposed sincere believers. So these believers must remember:

Past warnings. They must remember the warnings that they received from the apostles (verses 17-18). They warned about selfish men. These men were not spiritual. Their ambition was to cause a lack of unity between Christians (v.19).

Present responsibility (verses 20-23). Believers must become strong (‘build themselves up’) in their faith. The aim of those who opposed them was to destroy their faith.

Jude contrasted these two groups of people. Believers must keep themselves in God's love (verse 24). Notice how Jude also said that God had kept them (verse 1). They must pray with the help of the Spirit. (Contrast verse 19.) They were waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to come. He would show them his mercy. But they must do something while they waited. They must show practical mercy to other people (verses 22-23).

Future hope (verses 24-25). Jude urged them to keep themselves in God's love (v.21). But the letter began and ended with a wonderful promise (verses 1 and 24). God would ‘keep them from falling’. This is a word picture. The word means to keep the feet from slipping on a dangerous path. God makes it possible for us to stand and not to slip in this life. We will still be standing, not slipping, when the day of judgement comes.

If we trust God now, we will be grateful then.