Where it fits

Jude is the twenty-sixth book of the New Testament, with a single chapter of 25 verses. The writer calls himself “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James” (v. 1). Tradition identifies him as Jude, one of Jesus' brothers (called Judas in Mark 6:3), and the brother of the James who wrote the letter of James. Its date is uncertain, probably in the second half of the first century. Read straight through, it takes about three minutes.

Who, to whom, and why

Jude says he had planned to write about the salvation they shared, but something more urgent came up. He had to urge them to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (v. 3). Certain people had slipped in unnoticed, turning God's grace into an excuse for immorality and denying Jesus as Master and Lord (v. 4).

Jude answers with a rapid series of warnings from Scripture and tradition. Israel was rescued from Egypt, yet those who did not believe were destroyed (v. 5). Angels who left their proper place are kept in chains until the judgment (v. 6), and Sodom and Gomorrah serve as a lasting example (v. 7). He compares the intruders to Cain, Balaam, and Korah (v. 11) and uses vivid pictures: hidden rocks at the church's shared meals, clouds without rain, fruitless trees, wild waves, and wandering stars (vv. 12–13). He quotes a prophecy of Enoch (vv. 14–15) and reminds his readers what the apostles predicted (vv. 17–19). Then he turns to believers: build yourselves up in your holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love, and wait for the mercy of Jesus (vv. 20–21). Show mercy to those who doubt, and rescue others by pulling them from the fire (vv. 22–23). The letter closes with one of the best-loved doxologies in the Bible (vv. 24–25).

Three ideas to hold on to

1. The faith is worth defending. Jude says the faith was delivered once for all to the saints (v. 3). It is not something each generation invents.
2. Grace is not a license. Some were turning God's grace into an excuse for sin (v. 4). Real grace teaches believers to say no to ungodliness, as Titus 2:11–12 says.
3. God keeps his people. Believers are kept for Jesus Christ (v. 1), and God is able to keep them from stumbling and bring them into his presence with great joy (v. 24).

Passages people ask about

• Jude 5–7. Three examples of judgment: Israel in the wilderness, angels who abandoned their place, and Sodom.
• Jude 9. Michael the archangel disputing with the devil about the body of Moses. The story isn't in the Old Testament, and Jude seems to draw on a Jewish tradition. The point is that even Michael left judgment to the Lord.
• Jude 14–15. A quotation from a prophecy of Enoch, found in 1 Enoch, an ancient Jewish book that is not part of the Bible. Quoting a writing doesn't mean endorsing all of it, and Paul quotes pagan poets in Acts 17:28.
• Jude 20–25. How to stay strong, how to help people who are wavering, and a closing doxology.

How it points to Jesus

Jude opens and closes with Jesus. Believers are called, loved by God, and kept for Jesus Christ (v. 1). The intruders deny him as Master and Lord (v. 4). Believers wait for his mercy that leads to eternal life (v. 21), and the doxology gives glory to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord (v. 25).

A common misunderstanding

Jude is sometimes read as a license to condemn anyone we disagree with. The warnings are aimed at people who used grace as cover for immorality and divided the church, and Jude tells believers how to respond: build yourselves up, stay in God's love, show mercy to those who doubt, and be careful as you do (vv. 20–23).