Bible Overview Jude
Mike Ervin
JUDE STUDY OVERVIEW
1. AUTHORSHIP AND DATE
Traditional View:
• The letter is attributed to Jude (Judas), the brother of James (Jude 1:1).
• By extension, he is considered the half-brother of Jesus, as James is identified as Jesus’ brother in the Gospels (Matt. 13:55, Mark 6:3).
• Traditional Christian belief holds that Jude was an early leader in the church who wrote this letter to warn against false teachers.
Modern Scholarly View:
• Many scholars acknowledge the letter’s connection to Jude but question whether he personally wrote it.
• Stylistic and theological features suggest a later composition, possibly by a follower within Jude’s tradition.
• The dating of the letter varies, with some placing it in the 50s–60s A.D. (if Jude himself wrote it) and others placing it later, possibly 80–110 A.D.
• The letter shares similarities with 2 Peter, leading to debate over which was written first.
2. INTENDED AUDIENCE
• The letter is addressed “to those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1).
• This suggests a general Christian audience, likely Jewish-Christian communities familiar with apocalyptic traditions.
• Key issue: The audience is facing an internal crisis—false teachers have infiltrated the church, distorting the Gospel and leading believers astray.
3. MAJOR THEMES
1. Contending for the Faith (Jude 1:3)
• Believers must defend the true apostolic faith against corruption.
2. Condemnation of False Teachers (Jude 1:4–19)
• False teachers are compared to historical rebels (Cain, Balaam, Korah).
• Their fate is aligned with past judgments (fallen angels, Sodom and Gomorrah).
3. Use of Jewish Apocalyptic Tradition
• References to 1 Enoch (Jude 1:14–15) and the Assumption of Moses suggest familiarity with Jewish literature outside the Hebrew Bible.
4. Call to Perseverance and Mercy (Jude 1:20–23)
• Believers are urged to remain faithful, pray in the Spirit, and show mercy to those led astray.
5. Doxology: Confidence in God’s Power (Jude 1:24–25)
• Ends with one of the most famous doxologies in the New Testament, emphasizing God’s ability to preserve the faithful.
4. SEQUENTIAL REVIEW OF THE TEXT
Jude is a single chapter (25 verses) and can be broken down into clear sections:
1. Greeting (Jude 1:1–2)
• Jude introduces himself and blesses his readers with mercy, peace, and love.
2. The Purpose of the Letter (Jude 1:3–4)
• The main reason for writing: to urge believers to defend the faith against false teachers.
3. Examples of God’s Judgment on the Ungodly (Jude 1:5–7)
• Three examples of divine judgment:
1. Israel in the Wilderness (Numbers 14)
2. Fallen Angels (Genesis 6, 1 Enoch)
3. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19)
4. The Character of the False Teachers (Jude 1:8–16)
• They reject authority and corrupt the church.
• References to Cain, Balaam, and Korah as examples of rebellious behavior.
• Use of extra-biblical texts (1 Enoch and the Assumption of Moses).
5. A Call to Perseverance (Jude 1:17–23)
• Encouragement to remain steadfast in faith.
• Exhortation to show mercy to those struggling.
6. Doxology (Jude 1:24–25)
• A closing prayer of praise to God, affirming His power to keep believers from stumbling.
5. CONCLUSION
• Traditional Perspective: Jude, the brother of Jesus, wrote this letter to warn against false teachers and encourage believers to remain faithful.
• Modern Scholarly Perspective: The letter likely reflects a later development in the church, drawing on apocalyptic traditions to address emerging theological threats.
• Practical Application: The call to defend the faith, remain steadfast, and trust in God’s preserving power remains relevant for Christians today.