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The Epistle of Jude

Warnings and Exhortations

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Preface

Written by Jude (aka Judas), brother of James the Just, half brother of Jesus (cf Mt 13:55, Mk 6:3)
Written around 70-90 AD (CE)
Written to the whole (i.e. catholic) church (not a specific church) which makes it an Encyclical letter (one that was circulated among the churches)
Shares much in common with 2 Peter 2

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“Judgement on False Teachers”

vs 3-17

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Vss 3 - 4 : Introduction

What is he telling us we should do?��What is the primary warning �Jude is giving us here?

Jude’s primary exhortation, that he is going to spend the rest of the chapter unfolding, is that we should “Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

FOLLOW UP

What does it mean to “contend” for the faith?
epagōnizomai - ep-ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee - ἐπαγωνίζομαι - From G1909 and G75; to struggle for: - earnestly contend for.
What shape does fighting for the faith come in?

Writing books, articles, blogs, social media posts?
Talking to friends
Teaching classes / conducting bible studies

What kind of preparation do you need in order to “contend” for the faith?

We must become knowledgeable about what and who we place our faith in
We must understand the terms of the contract of salvation
We must understand its purpose and our purpose in relation to it

The reason for that is because ungodly men

have crept in unawares and
have turned the grace of our God into license to do whatever they want and
have denied God and Christ.

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Vss 5 - 7 : Egypt, Angels, and Sodom & Gomorrah

��Why does Jude cite these three examples?�What is he trying to tell us by them?

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Vss 8 - 13 : The Offence

�What offences does Jude accuse �those he is warning us of?��What is the consequence of those �Who do these things?��

Offences

filthy dreamers defile the flesh
despise dominion
speak evil of dignities

The way of Cain

Cain’s sin was primarily that he did not come in Faith. (Heb 11:4) Cain did not believe God, and thus did not follow in obedience when he brought his sacrifice.
Cain’s way is unbelief that leads to anger, tribalism, and false teaching.

Error of Balaam (Numbers 22 - 25, and 31)

Balaam was motivated by greed, and compromised his principles and beliefs in order to satisfy that desire

Gainsaying of Korah (Numbers 16)

Korah rejected the rightful authority God placed on his servants.
When we reject the authority of scripture, or reject the authority of God’s servants, we are acting like Korah

What does this imagery evoke? What do these metaphors mean?

Clouds without water, carried about of winds

Their philosophy is empty, and it isn’t anchored and will drift to whatever serves their purpose. Their lies will shift and change, having no constancy.

Trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots

They will lack the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22-24)

Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance

Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame

Wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever

Their eventual end is the terror of eternal suffering in darkness.

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Vss 14 - 16 : Their offences continued

�What additional offences does �Jude bring up here?��

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“Call to Perseverance”

vs 17-23

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��What does Jude call us to instead?

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What rhetorical methods does Jude use to make his arguments?

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“Doxology”

vs 24-25

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��Why is the doxology important?��What does it provide Jude rhetorically?