Introduction to Jude

Jude writes to a community that needs to take a stand for the truth. A group of false teachers has entered the church. Through false revelations, they are prompting believers to use the grace of God as license for immorality, especially of the sexual kind. Jude warns against compromising with evil. He points out that the false teachers, in their selfish actions, have rejected the authentic Jesus. Jude challenges Christians to remain firm in the faith that leads to eternal life. He encourages Christians to live as people empowered by the Holy Spirit, standing in the love of God (Jude 17–21).

Background

The letter identifies Jude as a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James (1). In the early church, the most well-known James was the brother of Jesus (Gal 1:19)—so Jude (also called Judas) often has been understood to be another of Jesus’ brothers, even though the letter does not state this (compare Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3).

It is not possible to know for certain when Jude was written. If the author was indeed a brother of Jesus, the letter probably was in circulation before the end of the first century. Jude has a literary relationship to 2 Peter, which could be used to help date Jude more accurately, but the date of 2 Peter also is unknown.

Jude warns against a heresy that in some ways resembles what later became Gnosticism, a philosophy that regarded physical matter as evil and spirit as good. This way of understanding the world often encouraged people to do whatever they wished with their physical body. In addition, the false teachers whom Jude addresses apparently were guilty of rebellion against authority, presumptuous speech, and sexual immorality. Jude rebukes them for deceiving unstable believers and corrupting the Lord’s Supper. Although the date and author of Jude is uncertain, the social situation is obvious: A group of false teachers are wreaking havoc in the congregation, and this must be stopped.

Structure

The book of Jude is one chapter in modern Bibles. After the introduction and greeting (Jude 1–2), the author begins by explaining his reason for writing (3–4): He wants his readers to contend for the faith in its true form because false teachers are distorting it. The bulk of the letter (5–16) is devoted to describing and denouncing these opponents of the faith. The language that Jude uses in this section is similar to remarks in 2 Peter (with 2 Peter perhaps drawing on Jude’s words). Jude characterizes the false teachers with examples from the Old Testament (5–7, 11), from nature (12–13), and from ancient writings outside the Bible (9, 14–15).

Jude advises believers to build themselves up in faith, prayer, and love, and to help those whom the false teachers have led astray (17–23). The letter ends with a powerful statement called a doxology that praises the only God, our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord (24–25).

Outline

• Greeting (1–2)

• Purpose for writing (3–4)

• Judgment on false teachers (5–16)

• Exhortation to persevere (17–23)

• Doxology (24–25)

Themes

The primary purpose of the letter of Jude is to warn against false teachers. Jude felt a pastoral responsibility to this community to keep them from straying into dangerous territory. In doing so, Jude shows that false teaching is nothing new: It has happened before in the community of God’s people, and it even happens in the spiritual realm. The church always needs to be on guard against distortions of the truth.

Jude shows us that we are all vulnerable to mistaking our own desires for God’s will. Although a false teaching might seem plausible at first—and a false teacher might appear authentic—it ends up pointing away from God and toward destruction. To avoid being led astray, we need to rely on the Spirit’s guidance and invite other believers to help hold us accountable (17–23). We should take advantage of these safeguards—staying on the path and assisting others who are struggling. Jude encourages us to uncover falseness by contending boldly for the faith, with full assurance that God’s power will keep us from stumbling (24).

Further Reading

Jude, Letter of CLBD

Judas, Brother of Jesus CLBD