New Testament · General Epistle · Book 65 of 66
Book of Jude
A short, urgent letter: contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, beware of false teachers, and keep yourselves in God’s love.
1 Chapter
25 verses
Author
Jude, brother of James
Written
c. A.D. 60 – 80 (debated)
Written To
Believers generally
Overview
Book of Jude Summary
Jude had hoped to write about the salvation he shared with his readers, but he found that he had to write instead and urge them to contend for the faith that was entrusted to the saints once for all (v. 3). The reason was that certain people had secretly slipped in among them, twisting the grace of God into a license for immorality and denying Jesus Christ as Lord (v. 4).
Jude warns them by recalling examples of judgment: Israel in the wilderness, the angels who did not keep their positions, and Sodom and Gomorrah. He compares the false teachers to Cain, Balaam and Korah, and describes them with striking images such as hidden reefs, clouds without rain and wandering stars. He also refers to a prophecy of Enoch about the Lord’s coming in judgment.
The last part turns to the readers. They are to remember what the apostles foretold, to build themselves up in the faith, to pray in the Holy Spirit and keep themselves in God’s love, and to show mercy to those who doubt and rescue others. The letter ends with one of the best-known doxologies in the New Testament, praising the one who is able to keep them from stumbling (vv. 24–25).
About the Name
Title
The letter is named for its author. The traditional Greek title is Iouda, “Of Jude.” “Jude” is the English form of Judas, which in turn comes from the Hebrew name Judah.
Jude is one of the General Epistles, addressed to a wide group of believers rather than to a specific church. It is only twenty-five verses long, which makes it one of the shortest books in the New Testament.
Who Wrote It
Author Details
The author calls himself “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James” (v. 1). James was the leader of the Jerusalem church, so Jude is traditionally understood to be another brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). Like James, he does not claim that family relationship but calls himself a servant of Christ.
Some scholars think the letter was written in Jude’s name by a later author, because it speaks of the apostles’ time as past (vv. 17–18) and has Greek of a high quality. Others see no difficulty in a brother of Jesus writing it. This page follows the traditional view.
When It Was Written
Date of Writing
The date is uncertain, with estimates from about A.D. 60 to 80. The place of writing and the first readers are not stated.
Jude and 2 Peter 2 share much of the same material, so the dating of the two letters is connected. Most scholars think 2 Peter drew on Jude, which would place Jude first. This fits the earlier dates, in the 60s.
Study Guide
Jude Outline
25 verses in three parts. Tap any section to expand it, and tap a verse reference to read it at BibleGateway.
Part I
Greeting and Purpose
vv. 1–4 · Contend for the faith
Part II
Warnings from History
vv. 5–16 · Examples of judgment and the intruders
Part III
A Call to Persevere
vv. 17–25 · Keep yourselves in God’s love
Continue Your Study
Verse references link to the NIV at BibleGateway.