Jude

Hey Jude

Be on guard for the gospel message, ready to give account to what it truly says.
Text: The Book of Jude

Context for Jude

• Most likely the half-brother of Jesus

• Written around 60–80 AD (likely before Peter’s death)

• Audience familiar with Jewish thought and theology

• Purpose: To confront false teachers who practiced evil

Letter for Jude to Encourage Him

Jude references texts outside the Hebrew Bible:

• 1 Enoch and the Testament (or Assumption) of Moses

  • Not Scripture, but useful (like quoting John Piper or Lisa TerKeurst today)

  • Ancient Jews were immersed in both Scripture and Scripture-inspired writings

  • Paul did similar things (e.g., Aratus in Acts 17; Menander in 1 Cor. 15:33)

  • Jude does not elevate these writings to the authority of God’s Word

Verses 1–4: Opening Concerns

• Jude originally wanted to write about salvation but felt this issue was more urgent

• Warns against teachers who abuse grace as a license to sin (cf. Romans 6:1–7)

  Comparable to clergy forgiving crusaders’ sins before the fact

Verses 5–7: Divine Justice Examples

• Rebellion in the wilderness (Numbers 14)

• Rebellious angels (Genesis 6, 1 Enoch)

• Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19)

Verses 8–10: Authority and Defiance

• Reference to the Testament of Moses

• The devil challenges God’s authority over Moses

• Michael the archangel defers judgment to God

• False teachers rely on their own authority, not God’s

Traits of the False Teachers

• Reject divine authority

• Embrace sexual immorality

• Oppose God’s appointed messengers

Verses 11–13: Corrupt Influences

• Cain (Genesis 4) – selfishness and jealousy

• Balaam (Numbers 22–25) – greed

• Korah (Numbers 16) – rebellion

• Compared to wild waves, wandering stars, and chaos

Verses 14–16: Prophetic Warning

• Reference to 1 Enoch’s prophecy of judgment

• Not new revelation, but reflecting common Jewish apocalyptic themes

Verses 17–19: Remember the Warnings

• Paul (2 Timothy 3:1–9)

• John (1 John 4:1–3)

• Peter (2 Peter 2:1–3)

Verses 20–25: Response of the Faithful

• Build yourselves up in the faith

• Pray in the Holy Spirit

• Stay rooted in God’s love

• Keep the gospel central

• Show mercy, but stay alert

• Know what you believe and why

• Be ready to explain your faith (1 Peter 3:15–16)

• Confront falsehood with wisdom and gentleness (Matthew 10:16–23)

• Don’t justify yourself by others’ bad behavior—live by God’s standards

• Jesus calls us to overcome evil with good (Matthew 5:38–48)

• Use discernment—judge righteously (Matthew 7:1–5)

• Know true teachers by their fruit (Matthew 7:15–23)

Discussion Questions 

1. What does “contending for the faith” look like in your everyday life?

2. Why is it important to know what you believe—and how can you grow in that knowledge?

3. What modern examples can you think of that resemble the “cheap grace” Jude warns about?

4. How can we stay grounded in God’s authority rather than relying on our own?

5. In what ways can we oppose false teaching with both truth and compassion?