Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Jude Chapter 1 mean?

The Book of Jude stresses the urgency of opposing false teaching. The writer, Jude, was an apostle and a half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was also a brother of the apostle James (Jude 1:1). He had planned to write about the salvation he and his readers had in common, but the threat of apostates—those who had rejected the truth and had turned away from God—persuaded him otherwise. Instead, he chooses to warn his readers about these apostates, and to help them understand that apostates will ultimately face divine judgment for their immoral lifestyle and evil teachings. He carefully distinguishes true believers from apostates by identifying true believers as “called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1). He also identifies them as his “beloved,” or “dear friends” in some translations (Jude 1:3, 17), and encourages them to keep the faith and to minister to others (Jude 1:21–23). He assures them that God is able to preserve them and present them before himself faultless and with great joy (Jude 1:24).

Jude’s brother James was head of the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1–2, 12–21). He wrote the book of James to expose hypocritical faith and to show what real faith is and how it works. Like Jude, James refers to himself simply as a servant: He was “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1).

Chapter Context
Jude is a single-chapter letter which reflects earlier warnings about apostates and their false teachings. Other passages of Scripture describe evil men who taught that Jesus was not fully human or fully God (1 John 2:22; 4:1–3), that God’s grace allowed them to live immorally (2 Peter 2; Romans 6:1, 15), that Jesus blood was not an adequate sacrifice (Galatians 1:6–9; Hebrews 3:12–19; 10:19), and sinners gain a right standing in God’s sight by keeping the law of Moses (Galatians 5:4, 7–9). Jude’s letter combats false teaching and exhorts readers to remain faithful to the Lord.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

Several views exist concerning Jude’s identity, but the most commonly held view identifies him as a brother of the same James who wrote the New Testament book of James. Both of these men were half-brothers of Jesus. In the original language of the New Testament, Jude’s name appears as Judas, the same given name as the disciple who betrayed Jesus, but the comparison ends there. The betrayer was the worst apostate of all time, whereas the writer of the book of Jude was an outspoken adversary of apostates. Jude does not appeal to any apostolic authority in order to gain his readers’ attention and willingness to heed his words. This is among the reasons scholars identify him as Jesus’ half-brother.

And yet, he humbly refers to himself as a servant of Jesus. The word “servant” in Greek is doulos, literally meaning “a bondslave.” Jude assures his readers that he is totally committed to doing his Lord’s will. He continues in verse 1 by pointing to the work of the Trinity by referring to their spiritual ministries: The Holy Spirit called the readers

Context SummaryJude 1:1–4 begins this letter by identifying the writer and his readers. The author is a brother of James and a half-brother of Jesus Christ. In this introduction, he extends his personal greetings to his readers and explains his reason for writing to them.

Verse 2. May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Jude’s greeting to his readers includes the desire that they would experience an overflowing amount of mercy, peace, and love. Again, he uses a threefold construction. In order to combat false teaching Jude’s readers would need to experience God’s mercy—His compassionate help. They would also need a strong sense of wellness (peace) and supernatural love—specifically a love for God and others. They would need God’s compassionate help while under attack from the apostates.

Hebrews 4:16 promises this mercy in answer to prayer in difficult situations. These words would also motivate Jude’s readers to try to win those who wandered from the truth. After all, those who receive mercy should be merciful to others. Peace, meaning a strong sense of wellness, would enable them to feel secure in troublesome times. Philippians 4:7 describes God’s gift of peace as transcending all understanding and as being a protective guard for the heart and mind. Love for God and others would keep Jude’s readers close to God and actively engaged in defending and sharing the truth.

Verse 3. Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

Jude had a change of mind regarding what he would write about. At first, he intended to address matters pertaining to salvation. Instead, he feels led to tell his readers to aggressively defend the faith—the truths the apostles had given to believers. What brought about his change of mind? The answer is divine inspiration: the act by which the Holy Spirit guided the writers of Scripture to write only what He wanted them to write.

Second Peter 1:21 explains that Scripture is not a product of what man devised, but what the Holy Spirit wanted them to say. The Holy Spirit superintended the writing so that nothing was inserted into the Word of God that God wanted left out, and nothing was left out that He wanted to be included. Second Timothy 3:16 assures us that “all Scripture is breathed out by God.”

Guided by the Holy Spirit, Jude writes to encourage his readers to aggressively defend the faith that the apostles had taught. The core of these teachings are complete, so Jude writes that “the faith … was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). The primary aspects of God’s truth had been revealed. The apostates might subtract from or add to those teachings, but to do so was to corrupt the pure Word of God. The Scriptures written after the ministry of Jesus supported and explained those truths, but there was no legitimate change in the faith.

An important parallel to Jude’s teaching here comes from the life of the apostle Paul. Like Jude, Paul valued the faith. On his way to Jerusalem, not knowing what persecution awaited him there, Paul summoned the leaders of the Ephesus church to meet him at Miletus. At Miletus he told the leaders that when he had ministered in Ephesus he had preached faithfully, but he warned that false teachers would soon emerge from their midst. These “fierce wolves” (Acts 20:29) would distort the truth in order to “draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:30).

Later, near the end of his life, Paul urged Timothy, a young pastor, to keep what he had heard from him as the pattern of sound teaching (2 Timothy 1:13). He also commanded Timothy to perpetuate the faith. He writes: “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). At the close of his life, Paul testified that unfaithful men would not put up with sound doctrine but would draw false teachers to themselves (2 Timothy 4:3–4). Further, as he was about to be executed for the faith, Paul testified, “I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Verse 4. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jude explains why his readers should aggressively defend the truth. As predicted, immoral men had crept into the membership of first-century churches. Jude describes them as ungodly, accusing them of claiming that God’s grace allowed them to lead an immoral life. According to Jude, they even rejected the fact that Jesus Christ is the ultimate authority and Lord. It seems these apostates believed it was acceptable to give in to the body’s evil desires. The apostates’ character, conduct, and condemnation had been predicted (Isaiah 8:19–22; 2 Thessalonians 2:6–10; 1 Timothy 4:1–2; 2 Timothy 3:1– 9; 2 Peter 2:1–9).

Writing in Romans 6:1–2 the apostle Paul responds to those who think God’s grace allows them to keep on sinning. He asks, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” His answer is dramatic: “By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” The apostle Peter also contradicts the false teaching that grace permits immoral living, writing: “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15–16).

The false teachers’ notion that it doesn’t matter whether the body is morally clean or unclean is addressed clearly in Romans 12:1, where the apostle Paul urges believers to offer their bodies “…as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God.” The body may be used to honor God or to offend him (Romans 6:12–14).

Verse 5. Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

In this verse Jude reminds his readers about what happened after the Lord rescued the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. A massive nation of Israelites left Egypt and were accompanied by many non-Israelites (Exodus 12:37–38). During their journey through the desert, on their way to Canaan, the Promised Land, a rebellious number of them, called “rabble” in Numbers 11:4, caused Israel to complain about the Lord’s provision. God had given them manna: a food from heaven. By complaining, they showed they did not believe in the Lord or in His ability to provide for their needs. They expressed their regret that they had left Egypt and voiced their desire to return there.

Psalm 78:32 says that in spite of all God’s mighty works on behalf of the people in the desert, “they still sinned…they did not believe.” Later, these complainers rejected the Lord’s command to enter the Promised Land. As a result of their unbelief, the Lord wiped them out (Numbers 14; Hebrews 3:16–19). The complainers died in the desert.

The apostates of Jude’s days had heard the truth, and had seen God save souls, yet they refused to believe. Hebrews 3:7–12 offers a warning against similar apostasy: “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, “They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.” As I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.” Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.’”

Context Summary
Jude 1:5–16 describes the nature, errors, and fate of false teachers plaguing the Christian church. Jude’s readers seem to have been acquainted with Israel’s history. This passage references Old Testament events to help explain the apostates’ sins, the danger they pose, and how the Lord will punish them. Jude references the unbelief of Israel after the Lord delivered them from slavery in Egypt, rebellious angels, the ungodly people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the dangers of allowing such people to mingle with other believers.

Verse 6. And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day —

In this verse Jude refers to angels that rebelled against God’s authority. They are charged with leaving their assigned role and leaving heaven. This statement may refer to the rebellion in heaven that Satan led against God in the dawn of human history (Isaiah 14:12–21; Ezekiel 28:12–19). He led as many as one third of the angels from their abode in heaven. Apparently, Satan and these angels were not content with the positions of authority God had assigned to them. They wanted greater authority and therefore rebelled against God. According to some interpreters, certain rebellious angels, called “sons of God” in Genesis 6:2, cohabited with “the daughters of man” (Genesis 6:1–4). Apparently as a result of this union, Nephilim, also translated as “fallen ones,” or “giants” in English Bibles, appeared on earth.

Jude’s reference to the rebellious angels may point to some other event known to Jude’s readers, based on their familiarity with the non-biblical writings of Enoch. This book describes several instances of God’s judgment against the fallen angels. At any rate, so far as Jude is using their example here, God punished those spiritual beings. He chained them in a place of darkness, where they await sentencing (2 Peter 2:4), likely when Satan is consigned to eternal punishment in the lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 20:7–10).

Verse 7. just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

In this verse Jude presents another example of God’s punishment of those who despise His laws and follow their sinful lusts. He mentions Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns. These urban sites existed in Abraham’s lifetime and had a sordid history of sexual perversion (Genesis 13:13). Abraham’s nephew Lot had been attracted to Sodom by the verdant pastureland surrounding the city (Genesis 13:10–11). At first, he settled near Sodom, but eventually moved into town, where he was “… greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked(for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard)” (2 Peter 2:7–8). Ultimately God delivered Lot from Sodom but rained down burning sulfur on the perverse inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah and nearby towns (Genesis 19:24–25).

The punishment those wicked inhabitants received pictures the punishment that awaits false teachers. Just as the inhabitants of the earth had been exposed to Noah’s preaching prior to the flood (2 Peter 2:5), even so the apostates of Jude’s time had been exposed to the truth but had rejected it. Jesus had predicted that conditions similar to those in the days of Lot would exist prior to his return. Luke 17:26–29 records Jesus’ prophecy: “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all.”

Verse 8. Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

Jude calls the apostates “dreamers,” perhaps because they dreamed about ways to indulge their sinful appetites. They may also have claimed spiritual visions as an excuse for their action. Like the wicked inhabitants of Sodom, Gomorrah, and surrounding towns, the apostates disregard the harm their wicked habits cause their bodies. They reject authority, just as the rebellious Israelites rejected Moses’ authority. They especially reject the authority of Jesus Christ, the head of the church (Colossians 1:18). It follows that they also reject the authority of those whom God has placed in the churches to teach His Word and to guide His people. The apostates even speak evil of angelic beings, a point continued into the next verse.

Instead of bowing to the authority of God’s Word, these apostates teach falsehood. In 2 Timothy 2:16–18 the apostle Paul describes some apostates as indulging in godless chatter. They have wandered so far from the truth that they claim the resurrection has already taken place.

First Timothy 4:1–2 describes the source of the apostates’ evil teachings and the wicked character of the apostates. Paul writes: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared.”

Verse 9. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”

In the previous verse, Jude referred to those who “blaspheme” celestial beings, including angels. Here, he cites the example of Michael the archangel. Michael is presented in Scripture as the chief angel in combating the Devil (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Revelation 12:7–9). In this incident, Michael refused to usurp God’s authority, which stands in contrast to the audacity of false teachers to slander authorities and angels.

This story comes from Jewish tradition, as recorded in a non-Scriptural book titled The Assumption of Moses. In the context Jude is using, it doesn’t really matter whether this is an actual, historical event, or merely an example being given from a traditional story. Jude’s reference does not imply that The Assumption of Moses is infallible, only that this was a story known to his readers. The key point here is that Michael, despite being a powerful being himself, refused to slander the Devil. This proves the arrogance of the apostates Jude is discussing. They are so conceited that they’re doing what even an archangel won’t!

Moses, Israel’s leader during the exodus from Egypt, was buried by the Lord in an unknown place (Deuteronomy 34:1–6). According to the traditional account, Michael and the Devil had engaged in a dispute about the burial of Moses’ body, but Michael would not slander the Devil. Instead, he yielded to God’s authority by trusting Him to rebuke the Devil. We do not know the details of the dispute, but God may have assigned Michael with the task of guarding Moses’ grave, and the Devil may have wanted to steal Moses’ body to make it an object of worship.

Verse 10. But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

Jude is in the process of describing the sins of apostates and false teachers. Instead of submitting to the truth and trying to understand it, skeptics and non-believers often mock the truth. Proverbs 14:7 advises: “Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.” The apostates Jude refers to are most likely from a sect known as the Gnostics. The Greek word for Gnostics is derived from gnosko, meaning, to know, and this group claimed salvation on the basis of unique awareness. However, it is clear they knew nothing about spiritual matters. Their reasoning was no more advanced than that of animals’ instincts. So Jude’s comments uncover and destroy the Gnostics’ claim to knowledge. Their faulty philosophy allowed them to pollute their bodies and it prepared them for divine judgment.

Verse 11. Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam ‘s error and perished in Korah ‘s rebellion.

In this verse Jude brings three indictments against the false teachers: (1) They were following Cain’s example; (2) like Balaam, they had chosen profit above integrity; and (3) like Korah, they had rebelled against God.

Cain was the first human being born naturally, to his parents Adam and Eve, who were the first human beings created by God. Cain was a farmer who offered vegetables to the Lord as his way of worshiping (Genesis 4:3). Cain’s brother Abel was a shepherd who worshiped God by offering portions of some of the firstborn of his flock (Genesis 4:4). The Lord accepted Abel’s offering, which was a blood sacrifice offered in faith (Hebrews 11:4), but He rejected Cain’s offering (Genesis 4:4–5). Following Cain’s example, the false teachers despised Jesus’ blood sacrifice and devised their own corrupt worship. Furthermore, Jude’s connection to Cain implies some level of jealousy. Just as Cain was jealous of Abel, even so the false teachers were jealous of those who obeyed the Lord, and they hated genuine believers (1 John 3:12).

Balaam was a heathen prophet who lived during the time of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness following their escape from Egypt. Balak, King of Moab, offered rewards to Balaam if he would curse the Israelites. Balaam refused to curse them, but he persuaded Balak to corrupt them by getting them to marry the pagan Moabite women (Numbers 22—25). Jude accuses the false teachers of rushing for profit into Balaam’s error. They valued financial gain more highly than God’s will and led their followers into immorality.

Also during Israel’s wilderness journey, Korah and his followers rebelled against Moses’ authority and thereby refused to accept God’s authority since God had appointed Moses as Israel’s leader (Numbers 16). Korah also presumed to take upon himself a priestly role, but God had appointed only Aaron to the position of Israel’s high priest. Consequently, God destroyed those rebels. The false teachers rejected the authority of Scripture and of those whom God had appointed to teach it. Their destruction was so certain that Jude uses the past tense to describe it.

In verse 11 Jude begins his indictment of the false teachers by pronouncing, “Woe to them!” He anticipates the terrible fate of the false teachers under God’s judgment. The prophet Isaiah also pronounced woe upon those who had turned away from the Lord and His truth. He declared, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and shrewd in their own sight” (Isaiah 5:20–21).

Verse 12. These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;

Jude has been condemning the spiritual errors of apostates, who are bringing false teachings into the church. The prior verse described particular sins, as exemplified by other figures in Scripture. Here, he continues by explaining how those sins will eventually lead these rebellious ones into disaster.

Jude describes the apostates as “hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear.” The early church held feasts that celebrated the believers’ mutual love. Probably, the love feast was held before the communion service. Somehow, the false teachers had mingled with the believers at the love feasts, but they were stains on otherwise beautiful occasions. Like a coral reef concealed under the water can catch a boat off guard, sinking it, the presence of these false teachers was a spiritual danger to those around them.

Jude points to the false shepherds’ self-indulgence by saying they feed only themselves. Jesus depicted a false shepherd as not caring for the sheep. He says a false shepherd abandons the flock when the wolf approaches (John 10:12–13). False teachers appear to be legitimate ministers, but this is only a disguise. They put on the role of ministers of light in order to practice evil and achieve personal gain. Paul, also, exposes these men as “deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13–14). Paul further writes in Philippians 3:19 that false teachers are absorbed with earthly things.

Jude further compares the false teachers to wind-blown clouds that give no rain. Just as people living in a dry climate long for clouds to bring water to the earth, even so thirsty people looked in vain to the false teachers for spiritual nourishment. However, the false teachers did not carry the water of life—the Word of God. Jude accuses the false teachers of being barren trees with dead roots, unlike true believers that bear the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces godly characteristics in those who walk in the truth (Galatians 5:22–23).

Verse 13. wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.

In this passage, Jude has been describing how false teachers are rejecting the truth in favor of their own sins. As a result, they are like “hidden reefs” which threaten to damage the spiritual lives of those around them (Jude 1:12).

In this verse, Jude compares the false teachers to wild waves of the sea that carry froth to the shore. The false teachers’ words were frothy and shameful. Jude’s indictment echoes Isaiah’s description of the wicked as “like the tossing sea…its waters toss up mire and dirt” (Isaiah 57:20).

Jude also pictures the false teachers as shooting stars. They give only flickering light as they wander trackless and momentarily across the sky. The deepest darkness—everlasting punishment—is reserved for them. This statement, in particular, emphasizes that Jude views these false teachers as lost; they are not merely confused believers. They do not, in fact, have a saving faith in Christ.

Verse 14. It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,

This verse is interesting for providing a quote from one of mankind’s earliest patriarchs, Enoch. Jude relates a statement made by Enoch concerning the fate of the ungodly apostates. Although Enoch was not a writer of Scripture, the Holy Spirit guided Jude to quote from Enoch, who lived before Noah’s flood (2 Peter 1:21). Genesis 5:24 credits Enoch with walking with God before God took him away from earth, apparently without dying, to be with the Lord. Enoch’s prediction is quoted in verses 14 and 15 as a prophecy that is yet to be fulfilled. Enoch predicted that the Lord will return to earth with a myriad of “holy ones.” This seems to refer to angels and raptured Christians (Matthew 25:31; Colossians 3:4).

We are not exactly sure where this quotation comes from, or if it was part of some other Jewish writing before being recorded here. At the time Jude wrote, Jewish literature included a non-inspired book, The Book of Enoch, which contains a similar statement. Jude’s phrasing is significantly different, however, leading many to suggest that he was either quoting an oral tradition, or had been given particular information by the Holy Spirit. Writers of Scripture often quoted from non-inspired texts for the sake of making a point (Titus 1:12), so this reference does not imply that Jude accepted The Book of Enoch as God’s Word.

Verse 15. to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

This continues a quote, begun in the prior verse, most likely adapted from the non-inspired Book of Enoch. Jude has spent a great deal of effort explaining how dangerous false teachers really are. A particularly important moment came in verse 12, where he referred to them as “hidden reefs.” This emphasizes how their sins and errors can be subtle, even invisible, until they suddenly cause a catastrophe in someone else’s spiritual life. Because these men have rejected the truth in favor of their own preferences, Jude makes it clear that they’re destined for eternal punishment (Jude 1:13).

Here, again, Jude reminds his readers of the fate of false teachers and all who reject or distort the truth. When the Lord returns to Earth with thousands of His angels and raptured believers, He will judge them and convict the ungodly of their foul deeds and ruthless insults they have hurled against Him (Matthew 24:30; 2 Thessalonians 1:9–10). The apostates will be judged by Jesus, the one of whom they had spoken abusively (Jude 1:4, 1:8).

Verse 16. These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Jude continues his denouncement of false teachers by summarizing their evil character: they grumble and find fault. Their grumbling is likely a constant murmuring against those who proclaim the truth, and they enjoy finding fault with all who believe God’s Word. Instead of doing God’s will, the false teachers do exactly what their evil instincts prompts them to do.

Jesus told the hypocritical Jewish leaders who murmured against Him: “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44).

The apostates brag about themselves and compliment others in order to win them to their side. Like those who arrogantly reject God today, the first-century false teachers were egotistical, despisers of God, immoral, and manipulative.

Verse 17. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude has been writing to describe the danger posed by false teachers and apostates. In the prior passage, Jude laid out both their sins and the danger those errors posed. Not only do such unbelievers put themselves under eternal judgment (Jude 1:13), they also pose a spiritual risk to the Christians they associate with (Jude 1:12).

In this verse Jude reminds his readers that the apostles had predicted the emergence of false teachers. Unlike the false teachers who served only themselves, the apostles were committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. He was their Master (Lord), Savior (Jesus), and Messiah (Christ).

The word Christ is really a title, derived from a Greek term christos, meaning “anointed one.” This, is turn is a translation of the Hebrew term meshiach. This refers to Jesus’ position as God’s anointed prophet, priest, and king.

The apostles’ predictions about the rise of false teachers can be found throughout the New Testament (Acts 20:29–30; 1 Timothy 4:1–3; 2 Timothy 3:1–9, 13; 2 Peter 2:1–3; 3:1–7). Jude’s deep concern for his readers contrasts sharply with the false teachers’ concern for only themselves.

Context Summary
Jude 1:17–23 lays out Jude’s plan of action for recognizing, resisting, and defeating apostates. Prior verses were devoted to explaining how, and why, these false teachers were dangerous. Those who followed their examples were bound for eternal judgment. Here, Jude provides a means to avoid these liars, as well as their fate.

Verse 18. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”

Jude reminds his readers what the apostles predicted. The false teachers are described as emerging in the “last time.” As used in the Bible, this refers to the period of church history which began with the formation of the church in Jerusalem, 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection. Other New Testament writers refer to the last days in the present tense (Hebrews 1:2; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 John 2:18). This time will continue until the return of Christ, and the completion of God’s ultimate plan for our redemption.

These false teachers are “scoffers.” They ridicule the truth and morality, preferring to cater to their sinful passions. This echoes an earlier statement made by Jude, indicating that apostates and other false teachers laugh at the things they don’t understand (Jude 1:10). The quotation given here comes directly from Peter (2 Peter 3:3), demonstrating that the warnings Jude has given are the same as those heard from the apostles themselves.

Verse 19. It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

Earlier in this letter, Jude warned that false teachers were a deceptively-hidden danger among true Christians (Jude 1:12). Along those same lines, according to this verse, false teachers cause trouble in the churches, leading to church splits. Since they appear to be legitimate believers but are not (Jude 1:13), their influence can lead other believers astray.

The apostle Paul warned a young pastor, Titus, about disruptive apostates. He writes: “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach” (Titus 1:10–11).

According to Jude, these unbelieving deceivers think and act like “unreasoning animals” (Jude 1:10). They follow their sinful natures, proving even more clearly that they lack the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:1–3; Romans 8:9). This is important, since Jude is not merely referring to confused or mistaken believers. He is pointing out that false teachers, like those so far described, are not actually believers at all.

Verse 20. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

Again, Jude expresses his love for his readers by calling them his dear friends: “beloved.” His advice on the best way to stay strong in the struggle against apostates is to advance in the faith. By this, he specifically means the teachings that the apostles delivered to believers. Prior verses referred to words from men like Peter (Jude 1:18; 2 Peter 3:3), and other New Testament Scriptures emphasize the importance of letting God’s Word guide our faith (1 Corinthians 4:6).

Today, this strategy has not changed. For the modern believer, defense against false teaching starts with growing in the knowledge and application of Scripture. In writing to Timothy, Paul insists that God gave the Scriptures to make us wise unto salvation and spiritually mature (2 Timothy 3:15–17). But prayer, inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit, should also accompany one’s loyalty to God’s Word. Jude’s exhortations in this verse echo the Apostle Paul’s instructions to the Ephesian believers: to use the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word, in fighting evil forces, and to pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17–18).

Verse 21. keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

In this verse Jude presents a practical way for believers to be spiritually strong in spite of the apostates’ efforts to destroy their faith. Believers remain strong if they stay focused on God’s love for them and do His will. In John 15:10, Jesus assures us that we will abide in His love if we keep His commandments. The prodigal son (Luke 15:11–24) journeyed to a pagan country that was far from home. His father still loved him, but in that country the prodigal was unable to enjoy the benefits of his father’s love. However, when he returned home, he enjoyed the love his father lavished on him. Believers need to “stay home” to fully enjoy the heavenly Father’s love.

Jude adds another exhortation. He urges his readers to eagerly anticipate the mercy Jesus will bestow on us when He returns. Although His present mercy includes forgiveness, at Jesus’ return it will include eternal life in heaven and all its accompanying benefits.

Verse 22. And have mercy on those who doubt;

This verse emphasizes a distinction between those who sincerely “doubt,” as opposed to those who are rebellious and arrogant: the “scoffers” who are not really seeking truth (Jude 1:10). Jude encourages his readers to show mercy to those who have doubts, perhaps doubts sown by the apostates concerning the truth. This was a key danger presented by Jude, that the presence of false teachers was like a “hidden reef” among the members of the church (Jude 1:12). The key attitude Jude presents here is mercy—a caring compassion—instead of a judgmental anger or rejection.

Strong believers should deal with doubters patiently and with love (Ephesians 4:2). Harsh criticism only drives doubters farther away from the truth. Some doubters might be on the verge of trusting in Jesus as their Savior, but they have intellectual questions. Believers can answer those concerns (1 Peter 3:15–16) if they extend enough mercy to those sincere seekers.

Verse 23. save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

In this verse, Jude urges his readers to “snatch out of the fire” unbelievers who are perilously close to entering eternal punishment. A key point made in this letter is the danger posed by false teachers. Not only do these men place themselves in danger of eternal punishment (Jude 1:13), they can also disrupt the faith of others (Jude 1:10–12). For those who are not in open rebellion, but are merely confused or suffering from doubt, our response should be that of mercy. We need to seek their redemption, not their condemnation (Jude 1:22).

At the same time, Jude portrays some unbelievers as so contaminated by immorality that this compassion needs to come with sensible caution. It is commendable to reach grossly immoral unbelievers, but it is unacceptable to be drawn into their immorality. Jesus reached out with the message of forgiveness to the most sinful members of society (Mark 2:15–17), but He did not participate in their sin (Hebrews 4:15). Nor did He approve of it (John 8:11).

Verse 24. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

Verse 24 emphasizes the truth that believers are on the winning side. Apostates cannot destroy our faith or knock us out of the Christian race. God has the power to keep us upright and at the end of the race present us without fault to His glorious self. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, offered these encouraging words: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:27–29).

The prospect of being kept and presented faultless in heaven would encourage Jude’s readers to patiently run the race and to keep looking onto Jesus (Hebrews 12:1–2). Ephesians 5:27 also anticipates the time when Jesus presents the church to himself “in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” The apostle John also takes a look forward to seeing Jesus face to face. At that time we will be completely like Him—sinless—for “we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

Verse 25. to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Jude concludes his letter with swelling praise to God. He describes God as “the only God, our Savior.” Although the apostates—rebellious nonbelievers—worshipped themselves, there is only one God, and He saves from their sins all who trust in His Son Jesus (Acts 4:12). Jude ascribes to God inestimable worth, sovereign rule, omnipotence, and full authority. He offers his praise through the Lord Jesus Christ, the one Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). The attributes that Jude ascribes to God belong to God eternally according to the last part of Jude 1:25.

Jude’s letter describes men at their worst and God at His best. Believers are on the side of victory! After writing this magnificent doxology, Jude ends his letter with one word, “Amen,” meaning, “so be it” or “truly.”

Book Summary
The book of Jude is a letter written by a half-brother of Jesus, likely later than AD 66–67, which was after 2 Peter was written. Its placement immediately before the book of Revelation is appropriate. This letter warns about false religion and evil men, whom Revelation describes as maliciously affecting political and religious conditions.

End of Chapter 1.

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