Let’s begin by asking the question: “Who is Jude?” The author of this letter identifies himself as “a bond-servant of Jesus Christ” (vs. 1). The actual Greek word is doulos, which is literally translated as “slave.” This is not unusual, as the Apostle Paul also often referred to himself as a “slave,” because he believed himself to be the “property” of his Lord, and as His property, he did not consider his life as being “his own,” but as one who had been “bought with a price” when Christ died on the cross for his sins (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Today, if you are a Christian, we should also think of our lives as not being our own, but the property of our Lord. In essence, we need to think of ourselves as “slaves” of Christ (His property), but “slaves” who love to “serve” Him with their entire being.  

Jude also indicates that he is the “brother of James” (vs. 1). So, just who is this person named “James?” He had to be a person of some authority, and as it turns out, the early church fathers unanimously felt that this is the same James who led the first Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:13-21), and was identified a one of Jesus’ step-brothers. When Jesus entered Nazareth during His earthly ministry, people began asking:

“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and his brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?” (Mt. 13:55).

The name “Judas” can also be translated as “Jude.” In his Gospel, John indicates that even Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him prior to His resurrection (Jn. 7:5). And Luke records that Jude was with the other Apostles in the Upper Room when Jesus appeared to them following His resurrection (Acts 1:14), and as a result, they believed in Him. So, along with James, the leader of the Jerusalem Council, Jude is also one of Jesus’ brothers who believed that his older stepbrother, Jesus, was indeed the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

This short book is addressed to all of those who are “the called,” that his, those who have been saved by His blood, and his purpose was to exhort them to do battle against the enemy, that is, all forms of apostasy. Jude encouraged them about their “common salvation” and therefore, they needed to,  

“…contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (vs. 3).

And then Jude explains why this is so important, saying,

“For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (vs. 4).

Two things of note in these verses. First of all, the message of the Gospel was “once for all” delivered to the saints, indicating that there should be no additions to the faith, as some false teachers have tried to do for centuries, even to this very day. Our faith was “once for all” delivered to the disciples by Jesus Himself, and then as these disciples became apostles (“sent ones”), this same message was delivered throughout the Roman Empire. And this is the “faith” that has been recorded in our Bibles. Secondly, there are certain persons who creep into churches “unnoticed,” and wreak havoc with faithful congregations, claiming to bring in some new teachings that they should adhere to.

For the first century church, the dangers were real, just as they are in our own day, as false teachers were constantly entering and harassing the churches with messages that bear no fruit. Jude reminds such teachers about God’s past dealings with unbelieving ethnic Israel, of rebellious angels who fell, and of the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah and the disaster that befell them. He called upon these Christians to not be caught off guard, but to face ungodliness head on and to stand strong in their faith. Jude continues to describe these false teachers with some pretty graphic language, saying that they,

“…defile the flesh, reject authority, and revile angelic majesties…they are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves, clouds without water, carried along by winds, autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever” (vss. 8, 12-13).

But Jude wasn’t finished with his description of these teachers, saying,

“These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage….They cause divisions, and are worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit” (vs. 16, 19).

Wow! What a bucket full of ungodly offenses! And then, Jude calls upon the churches to,

“…remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, when they said, ‘In the last time there shall be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts’” (vss. 17-18).

As he concludes his letter, Jude encourages them to continue,

“…building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life” (vss. 20-21).

And then he concludes with a well-known benediction that you have probably heard before,

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (vss. 24-25).

Wow! What a short, but powerful book. Let’s all beware of those who would lead us astray from the truths found in God’s Word, such truths delivered from Jesus to His disciples who, after his ascension, were sent out as apostles into the world to deliver the message that was “once for all” delivered to the saints. Simply put, let’s not “mess” with the teachings of God’s Word, and let’s reject all teachers who are “messing” with it. Stand strong in your faith and keep yourselves in the love of God. May the Lord bless you in every way.

Peggy and I send our love to all of you.