Jude | MHM | STEP |

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‏ Jude

Apostolic Benediction

This opening section is the introduction to the letter. It explains who is writing, who will receive the letter, and gives a special blessing. The writer, Jude, takes time to show his humility, his connection to Jesus, and his love for the people he writes to. He also shares what it really means to be a Christian—chosen, set apart by God, and kept safe in Jesus Christ. These ideas help us understand the heart behind this short but powerful letter.

v. 1: Jude introduces himself as the writer of this letter. He is also called Judas or Judah, which was the name of the famous son of Jacob, from whom the Messiah, Jesus, came. Jude shares a name with both a great ancestor and with Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. This shows that having a good or bad name does not make a person good or bad. What matters is our actions. Jude calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ. He does not brag about being related to Jesus by family, but takes honor in serving Him. This teaches us that it is better to be a faithful servant of Jesus than to have any high position in the world. Jude also says he is the brother of James, who was an important leader in the church at Jerusalem. It is good to respect those with more experience or gifts, but we should not blindly follow anyone if they do wrong (Galatians 2:11 ^a).

Jude writes to all those who are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called (Jude 1:1 ^b). "Called" means those who are called to be Christians, who have believed the message about Jesus and joined the church. Christians are called out of the world to live for God, to leave sin, and to aim for heaven (Romans 8:30 ^c). These Christians are also "sanctified," which means they are made holy by God the Father. Real holiness is God’s work in us, not something we achieve by ourselves (2 Peter 1:4 ^d). Without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14 ^e). Jude also says believers are "preserved in Jesus Christ," meaning God keeps them safe in their faith. God finishes the good work He starts in us, even though we are weak (Psalm 138:8 ^f). Christians are safe as long as they stay close to Jesus, who is their shelter and protector.

v. 2: Jude gives a blessing to his readers: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied (Jude 1:2 ^g). He asks God to give them lots of mercy, which means God’s kindness to those who need help and forgiveness. He prays for peace, which comes from knowing God’s mercy and being made right with Him through Jesus. He also prays for love, both God’s love for them and their love for God and each other. Jude wants these blessings to grow and fill the lives of all Christians, because God is generous and able to give us more than enough of every good thing.

The Common Salvation; Monuments of Judgment

This section explains why Jude wrote his letter. He wanted to encourage believers—both Jews and Gentiles—who had recently come to faith in Jesus. Jude urges them to stay strong in the Christian faith, to live in a way that matches what they believe, and to be bold in their confession, especially when facing false teaching or persecution. He reminds them that the salvation offered in the gospel is for everyone who believes, and that Christians must work hard to defend the true faith against those who try to change or corrupt it.

v. 3: Jude says that he wanted to write about the salvation all Christians share, but he found it necessary to urge them to fight for the faith that was given once and for all to the saints. This faith is the message of salvation through Jesus, offered to everyone who hears it (the gospel...preach the gospel to every creature, Mark 16:15 ^h). Believers must not add to or take away from this faith, but keep it pure and unchanged (the faith once delivered to the saints, Jude 1:3 ⁱ).

v. 4: Jude warns that some ungodly people have secretly entered the church. They misuse the grace of God as an excuse to live sinfully and deny both the Lord God and Jesus Christ. These people were long ago warned about and are destined for condemnation (ungodly men...turn the grace of our God into lasciviousness, Jude 1:4 ^j).

v. 5: He reminds them that God saved the Israelites from Egypt but later destroyed those who did not believe. Even having great privileges does not save anyone who refuses to trust God (the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not, Jude 1:5 ^k; see also 1 Corinthians 10:1-10 ^l).

v. 6: Jude brings up the angels who sinned by leaving their proper place. God has kept them in eternal chains under darkness, waiting for judgment. If even angels are punished for rebellion, people should not think they will escape punishment (the angels which kept not their first estate...he hath reserved in everlasting chains, Jude 1:6 ^m).

v. 7: Finally, he reminds them of Sodom and Gomorrah and the other nearby cities, which were destroyed by fire because of their sins. Their fate is a warning to everyone not to follow sinful desires, because they now suffer as an example of eternal punishment (suffering the vengeance of eternal fire, Jude 1:7 ⁿ).

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Exhortation to the Faithful; Conclusion

This section encourages believers to stay true to their faith, even when surrounded by people who do wrong or try to lead others away. Jude describes the bad behavior of false teachers and warns Christians to be careful. He also gives clear advice about how to live for God and how to help others. Jude finishes with a prayer, giving glory to God, and reminding us of God's power to protect and save.

v. 16: Jude describes the false teachers as people who always complain and are never happy. They are murmurers, complainers (Jude 1:16 ^o). They are unhappy with their lives and often blame God or others. They follow their own desires instead of obeying God. People who chase after their own sinful wants are quick to get angry and cause trouble.

v. 17: Jude tells the believers to remember what the apostles said before. But, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:17 ^p). They warned that people like these false teachers would come. Knowing this helps Christians not to be surprised or lose faith when they see problems in the church. God’s word is the best protection against being tricked by false ideas (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1 ^q; 2 Peter 3:3 ^r). Even when things are hard, Christians should hold on tightly to their faith, because Jesus promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18 ^s).

v. 18: The apostles said there would be people in the last days who make fun of God and live only for their own desires. They told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts (Jude 1:18 ^t). These problems were expected, so believers should not be discouraged when they see them.

v. 19: These false teachers cause divisions. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit . They separate themselves from God and the church because they care more about sinful pleasures than spiritual things. They do not have the Spirit of God, so they do not really belong to Christ (Romans 8:9 ^u).

v. 20: Jude encourages believers to keep growing in their faith. Building up yourselves on your most holy faith (Jude 1:20 ^v). This means continuing to trust God, learning more, and living by His truth. We should build our lives with good things, not worthless things (1 Corinthians 3:12 ^w).

Jude also tells them to pray in the right way. Praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 1:20 ^x). This means letting the Holy Spirit guide your prayers, praying with faith and passion, and always staying connected to God (Romans 12:12 ^y).

v. 21: He says, Keep yourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:21 ^z). Christians should keep loving God and living in a way that pleases Him. We should not do things that push us away from God’s love, but stay close to Him and enjoy His care.

Jude reminds them to look forward to God’s mercy and eternal life. Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 1:21 ^aa). We are saved by God’s mercy, not by anything we do. Only through Jesus can we have hope for heaven (Acts 4:12 ^ab). When we trust Jesus’ promises, it helps us say no to sin (2 Peter 3:14 ^ac).

v. 22: Jude gives advice on how to help others who are struggling. And of some have compassion, making a difference (Jude 1:22 ^ad). We should be gentle and kind to those who are weak or confused, showing mercy and trying to help them turn back to God.

v. 23: For others, we must be more direct. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 1:23 ^ae). Sometimes, we must warn people very strongly about the dangers of sin. But we should still be careful, making sure we do not get pulled into sin ourselves (1 Thessalonians 5:22 ^af).

v. 24: Jude ends with praise to God, who is able to keep us safe. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy (Jude 1:24 ^ag). God alone can protect us from sin and bring us to heaven, where we will be full of joy and without fault (Revelation 1:7; 1 Peter 1:8 ^ah).

v. 25: To God, our Savior, belong all glory, greatness, power, and authority, now and forever. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen (Jude 1:25 ^ai). We finish, like Jude, by giving all honor to God, who saves us and keeps us safe forever.