Who Is Jude? Series

Session 1

Jude 1:1 Introduction to the Book of Jude

Introduction: Who wrote Jude? To whom did he write? For what reason did he write? These questions must be answered if we are to have any hope of understanding the meaning of the text within these 25 verses. It is therefore sadly ironic that few commentators pursue this line of authorial intention. It is generally agreed that Jude is one of the most neglected books in our New Testament. This remains true even among those who attempt to write and publish commentaries on this book, for they refuse to even examine these most fundamental questions.

Date: There is a connection exists between 2 Peter and Jude. We can compare the two books (focusing particularly on 2 Peter chapter 2 and Jude vv. 5-16). Jude vv. 17-18 quotes verbatim what 2 Peter 3:3 expresses. It is understood that Jude wrote after Peter. Peter wrote his first epistle shortly after the fire of Rome (17 July 64 AD) and the subsequent persecutions that followed. Peter’s second epistle would have been written shortly after, in early 65 AD. Jude wrote to a time after early 65 and the middle of 66 AD.

Addressed to: The Epistle of Jude is addressed to Jewish Christians, Gentile Christians, or both in Israel and perhaps Christians in the Jerusalem church.

Purpose: The false teachers were trying to convince believers had license to sin since their sins would no longer be held against them. Jude thought it imperative that his readers be on guard against such men. The letter appeals to Christians to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 1:3) and to be on their guard against people “who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). The author struggles forcefully against heretics who deny God and Christ and attempts to strengthen his readers in their fight against such heresy that leads to wickedness and disorder. Only steadfastness in faith, true doctrine, and prayer can lead to mercy, forgiveness, restoration, and final salvation.

Early Reference by the Church Fathers: There are traces of Jude in the following works, which were used in an early period. It seems that questions arose because of its use of apocryphal books: 1. Pseudo-Barnabas (c. AD 70-130), 2. Clement of Rome (c. AD 95-97), 3. The Shepherd of Hermas (c. AD 115-140), 4. Polycarp (c. AD 110-150), 5. The Didache (c. AD 120-150), 6. Athenagoras (c. AD 177), 7. Theophilus of Antioch (died, AD 183-185), 8. The Muratorian Canon (c. AD 170), 9. Tertullian (c. AD 150-220), 10. Clement of Alexandria (c. AD 150-215), 11. Origen (c. AD 185-254), 12. Synod of Antioch (c. AD 264), 13. Didymus of Alexandria (died, AD 394 or 399), 14. Eusebius (c. AD 260-340), 15. Jerome (c. AD 346-420).

Key Themes: 1. Christians need to defend the doctrines of the faith (Jude 3), 2. False teachers may be identified by their immoral character (Jude 4, 8, 10, 12–13, 16, 18–19). 3. God will judge false teachers (Jude 4, 5–7, 11, 14–15). 4. Saints must endure to be saved (Jude 17–23). 5. As God grants mercy to those who are called, they must show mercy to others (Jude 2, 21–23). 6. God grants the grace to ensure that his people will persevere (Jude 1–2, 24–25).

(Ref: Introduction to Jude by Dr. Grant C. Richison; NIV Study Bible; Bible Org; Encyclopaedia, An Introduction by Andy de Ganahl;).

Session 2

Jude 1:1 Introduction to Author Jude

Introduction:

Who wrote Jude? To whom did he write? For what reason did he write? These questions must be answered if we are to have any hope of understanding the meaning of the text within these 25 verses. It is generally agreed that Jude is one of the most neglected books in our New Testament. This remains true even among those who attempt to write and publish commentaries on this book, for they refuse to even examine these most fundamental questions. It is called as “The Acts of the Apostates.”

Jude lived at a time when Christianity was under severe political attack from Rome and aggressive spiritual infiltration from gnostic-like apostates and libertines who sowed abundant seed for a gigantic harvest of doctrinal error. It could be that this was the forerunner to full-blown Gnosticism which the Apostle John would confront over 25 years later in his epistles.

Who is Jude? “Jude” or “Judas” was a very common name in Judea in the first century AD. This Greek equivalent reflects its Hebrew origin “Judah” meaning “praised one.” Being the name of Israel’s fourth-born son, the ancestor of King David, and identified as the line of Messiah. So, this name was so popular among the people of Israel. “Judas” and “Jude” are same in Greek.