Introduction

The letter is difficult to date but is usually placed somewhere between AD 65 and 80 because of the similarities with 2 Peter chapter 2. One difference is that in 2 Peter 2, the false teachers are to come, while in Jude’s letter, they have already come (v. 4). It is also possible that he distanced himself a little in time from the apostles in v. 17, or it could mean that he was not one of the apostles. The author is also believed to be one of the brothers of Jesus (and James) (v. 1, Mark 6:3).

The addressees appear to be Judeo-Christians due to:

• many OT references.
• references to Jewish scriptures that are not in the OT.
• adheres more to the Hebrew version of the OT than to the Greek, e.g., Paul uses it the most.

He had intended to write about the salvation they share, but then he found himself “compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” (v. 3). The purpose is therefore to exhort them to fight for the faith in the face of false teachers who abuse grace and deny Jesus (v. 4) (cf. 2 Pet 2:1, 19).

As mentioned, Jude quotes a couple of scriptures that are not found in the Old Testament. He does not call them “Scripture” and does not consider them on equal standing with the OT, but especially The Book of Enoch was widely read. His point is to relate to the readers and show that the false teachers among them are rebellious and engage in sexual immorality in the same way as these “great sinners” in Old Testament times.

Jude focuses mostly on the lifestyle of the false teachers and little on their theology. It should be very visible from how you live whether you are on the right course or not. He concludes by encouraging them to:

1. Build themselves up in their faith.
2. Pray constantly in the Holy Spirit.
3. Remain in God’s love. God has the power to keep them from falling (v. 24), even if they are challenged.

Introductory questions

Author: Jacob’s brother and Jesus’ half-brother (Mark 6:3). Calling himself a “servant” and not “apostle”. Seems to distance himself from the apostles in v. 17-18.

Addressees: Probably Judeo-Christians since he:

1. uses a lot of OT and other Jewish scriptures.
2. does not use LXX but seems to quote from Hebrew.
3. 3) vv. 5-19 resembles a Jewish ” midrash ” (a commentary on biblical texts).

Dating: Usually 65-80 AD.

Relationship to 2 Peter:

1. Jude first: Verses 4-18 seem to be a literary unit. 2 Peter is a simplified version of Jude, little reason for Jude to write after 2 Peter. The majority view today.
2. 2 Peter first: The false teachers have come (v. 4), while in 2 Peter they will come. Seems to refer to 2 Peter in v.18. Jude uses 2 Peter to show that it has now happened, and to wake them up. Popular theory in the past (including Luther).

Structure

v. 1-2               Opening and greeting

v. 3-16             Warning about wicked people

v. 17-23           Remember the warning and build yourselves up

v. 24-25           Conclusion

Opening and greeting (v- 1-2)

They are called, loved by God and kept.

v. 1: they are preserved for/in Jesus.

v. 6: the angels who did not keep their positions of authority — these he has kept bound.

v. 13: for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

v. 21: Remain in God’s love.

• God preserves both believers to salvation and ungodly to judgment. Verses 1 and 21 describe the interaction between God’s action and human responsibility. We are preserved when we stay there.

Warning about wicked people (vv. 3-16)

Purpose (vv. 3-4): Exhort them to fight for the faith against ungodly people who abuse/pervert grace and deny Jesus.

Contend = a strenuous effort. The word is used of athletes (as in 1 Cor 9:25).

“The faith that was once for all”: Nothing new will come, everything is already given. No more “gnosis”. The faith is a “package” that is handed over to new ones.

“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” — Brennan Manning

Biblical examples in 2 Peter and Jude

2. Peter 2	Jude	GT reference	Reason for judgment
	Israel in the wilderness (v. 5)	Numbers	Unbelief/ungratefulness
The angels (2:4, v. 6)		Genesis 6, 1 Enoch	Rebellion, sexual immorality
Sodom and Gomorrah (2:6-8, v. 7)		Genesis 19	Sexual immorality
	Cain (v. 11)	Genesis 4	Envy, malice
Balaam (2:15, v. 11)		Numbers 25	Looking for personal gain
	Korah (v. 11)	Numbers 16	Pride, rebellion

Michael vs. Satan? (v. 9)

Moses’ ascension is a lost writing that is mentioned by Origen and others. early 200s. We only have a partially preserved Latin text from the 6^th century.

The devil thought Moses had no right to an honorable burial and accuses him of murder because he killed the Egyptian in Exodus 2. Michael then responds as he does here (as in Zechariah 3:2).

Why does Judas bring this up?

Interpretation A: Since Michael did not mock Satan, people should not mock Satan and other evil angels either.

Interpretation B: Even Michael, who is the archangel, did not judge the devil on his own but left the judgment to God, while these people mock.

How do the false teachers mock higher powers? Perhaps regarding the Law of Moses because of their lawlessness (2:8, 19, 3:17). The Law of Moses was given by angels (Acts 7:53, Gal 3:19, Heb 2:2).

More 1. Enoch (v. 14-15)

“The Lord came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes.” Deuteronomy 33:2

“Behold, the Lord is coming with his holy angels in thousands to judge all, and to call every man to account for all the wicked deeds they have done, and for all the defiant words they have directed against him, these ungodly sinners.” (Jude 1:14-15 quoting 1. Enoch 1:9)

Is this the only quote because it wasn’t as well known as the OT?

Did he think it was written by Enoch, or is it like calling the Pentateuch “Moses” ( John 5:46) and Psalm 2 “David” (Acts 4:25) (even though it is anonymous)?

Paul calls Epimenides of Crete a “prophet” (Titus 1:12). Is Jude using the quotation to support his point in the same way as Paul?

The quote contains biblical truths. We do not know if Judas thought the rest of 1 Enoch was equally true.

He does not call it “Scripture” or “God’s word”.

This use of quotation cannot be more important than the fact that 1 Enoch has never been part of either the Jewish or Christian canon. The manuscript base is poor, it exists in its entirety only in a translation into Ge’ez (Ethiopic) and it disappeared for many hundreds of years (perhaps with the exception of Ethiopia).

Peter’s prediction has come true (vv. 17-18)

2 Pet 3:1-2— reminding them of the word spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of their own apostles.

Judas v. 17: reminding them of the word spoken beforehand by the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If Jude draws from 2 Peter, it seems that some time has passed and that what the apostles (v/Peter) foretold has now happened. Therefore, he changes the quote a little. What the apostles predicted were:

“ In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” (v. 18)

“in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” (2 Peter 3:3)

It makes more sense that Jude writes after Peter and can thus say that what Peter wrote about happened, than that Peter writes afterwards and changes the future aspect to only apply to the OT and not his own words.

Finally practical: How to fight for the faith (vv. 20-23)

How to strengthen your faith:

1. Build yourselves up by your most holy faith (which they have been handed down, v. 3). It is holy and must be held high and pure (2 Pet 1:1) in the face of false teaching.
2. During constant prayer in the Holy Spirit.
3. Remain in God’s love (vv. 1-2).

3 procedures for 3 different groups:

1. Be merciful (1:2) to those who doubt. Some manuscripts have “correct”. Those who are in doubt what to think.
2. Save others by pulling them out of the fire. Those who have been caught up in the heresy.
3. To others show mercy (1:2) with fear. The furthest into heresy, perhaps the false teachers themselves? Be aware of the dangers of getting too close and being “stained”, perhaps because they have managed to convince many.

Questions for reflection

What does it mean to remain in God’s love?

Are we willing to get involved in saving others from heresy?