JUDE - ONLY ONE CHAPTER
Verses 1-2
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Commentary
Verses 1-2
Jude identifies himself.
Why did he identify himself as a brother of James but not a brother of Jesus?
Who is the Book of Jude written to?
What is the trifold blessing?
The Sin and Doom of Ungodly People
Verses 3-4
3Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
Commentary
Verses 3-4
Notice the direct address.
What is Jude writing about that he shares with his dear friends?
Be able to explain "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people."
What two types of people are mentioned?
How is Jesus Christ described?
Verses 5-7
5Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
Commentary
Verses 5-7
What is the reminder?
What places are mentioned?
What sins did Jude mention?
Verses 8-10
8In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. 9But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.
Commentary
Verses 8-10
What type of people are mentioned?
Who are mentioned by their names?
Verses 11-13
11Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. 12These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
Commentary
Verses 11-13
What Old Testament persons are mentioned?
Recognize the descriptions of "these" people.
Verses 14-16
14Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
Commentary
Verses 14-16
There are more Old Testament people.
There are more descriptions of "these people."
A Call to Persevere
Verses 17 -23
17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22Be merciful to those who doubt; 23save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Commentary
Verses 17-23
What does Jude tell readers to remember?
Who are the people who "divide you"?
What are the instructions from Jude?
Verse 24
Doxology
24To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Commentary
Verse 24
This verse is known as a doxology that is often used in churches as the benediction before the congregation is dismissed. Notice the eternal language and the familiar closing word.
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