JUDE

(Read the Epistle)

Theme: There is a certain resemblance between the second Epistle of Peter and that of Jude; they both treat of apostasy in the church and describe the leaders of that apostasy.

Concerning this subject it seems that Jude quotes from Peter. (Compare 2 Peter 3:3 and Jude 18.) They both have in mind the same class of errorists - men of loose morals and shameful excesses.

- Peter describes the apostasy as future; Jude, as present.

- Peter sets forth the false teachers as godless and extremely dangerous but not at their worst; Jude, as depraved and as lawless as they can be.

It was the presence of these men in the church and their activity in spreading their pernicious doctrines that led Jude to write this Epistle, the theme of which is: the duty of Christians to keep themselves spotless and to contend earnestly for the faith, in the midst of apostasy.

Authorship: The author is believed to be Jude the brother of James and of our Lord (Mark 6:3).

Why Written: To warn them against apostates within the church, who though having denied the faith still retained their membership.

When Written: Probably between A. D. 70 and 80.

Contents: The following is a brief analysis of the Epistle:

After the salutation (vv. 1, 2) Jude mentions the purpose of his writing.

At first he had intended to write concerning doctrine, but the presence of false teachers had caused him to sound out a warning to believers to contend for the truths of the Gospel (vv. 3, 4).

To illustrate the doom of these teachers three examples of ancient apostasy are given (vv. 5-7). These apostates, ever yielding to their own sinful fancies, are guilty both of fleshly sin and of rebellion against authority (v. 8), and speak of authority in terms that Michael the archangel did not dare to use in speaking to Satan (v. 9). They dare to speak evil of spiritual things about which they are ignorant; yet in the things they do understand they corrupt themselves (v. 10).

Their sin and their doom is prefigured by Scripture (v. 11) and by nature (vv. 12, 13). They are the true subjects of Enoch's prophecy (v. 14).

As to character, they are complainers and murmurers, scheming flatterers, mockers of spiritual things, men who bring divisions, and who are utterly fleshly, having not the Spirit of CHRIST (vv. 16-19). But believers, in contrast with these are to build themselves up in the faith, pray in the Holy Ghost, abide in GOD's love, ever looking to JESUS (vv. 20, 21).

In regard to those in error they are to have compassion on those weak ones who have wavered; others they are to save by desperate effort, but always watching lest they be contaminated with the filthy garment of tainted doctrine and sensual living (vv. 22, 23).

Jude concludes with a Doxology well suited to the subject he has been discussing - a doxology that praises Him who is able to keep the believer from falling into apostasy and sin, and who is able to keep him blameless until the great Day (vv. 24, 25).

~ end of Jude ~