New Testament Epistle circa AD 65-80
Introduction

About Jude

The faith delivered to the saints is worth fighting for - build yourself up, keep yourself in God's love, and rescue those caught in false teaching before it is too late.

Contending for FaithFalse TeachersJudgmentPerseverance

Written

circa AD 65-80

Author

Jude

Genre

Epistle

Position

26th NT book - General Letters

Authorship

Jude (Judas), the brother of Jesus and James. He did not believe in Jesus during his ministry (John 7:5) but became a follower after the resurrection (Acts 1:14).

Historical Context

False teachers had crept in unnoticed (v.4) among believers - denying Jesus as Lord, promoting sexual immorality, and rejecting authority.

Purpose

To urgently call believers to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints - defending the gospel from those who use grace as an excuse for immorality.

Key Message

The faith delivered to the saints is worth fighting for - build yourself up, keep yourself in God's love, and rescue those caught in false teaching before it is too late.

Book Structure

1
The Emergency: Contend for the Faith v. 1-4
2
Examples of Divine Judgment on False Teachers v. 5-16
3
Instructions for Believers: Build, Keep, Rescue v. 17-23
4
The Magnificent Doxology v. 24-25

Interesting Facts

1

Jude 24-25 - Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling - is considered the most glorious doxology in the NT.

2

Jude references non-canonical Jewish literature (the book of Enoch in v.14-15 and possibly the Assumption of Moses in v.9).

3

Jude and 2 Peter 2 are so similar that most scholars believe one drew on the other.

Old Testament Connections

Numbers 16 - Korah's rebellion (Jude 11) is one of three OT rebellions cited as warnings
Genesis 6, 19 - The angels who sinned and Sodom and Gomorrah are both cited as divine judgment precedents

New Testament Connections

2 Peter 2 - Nearly identical content; the literary relationship between these two letters is one of the most studied in NT scholarship
Revelation 2-3 - The letters to churches address many of the same false teachers Jude condemns