The Epistle of Jude
It
is
generally
accepted
that
Jude,
in
calling
himself
the
‘brother
of
James’,
was
a
half-brother
to
Jesus.
The
recipients
of
the
letter
are
not known, nor is the date of writing, although there are suggestions it was either around A.D. 65 or 80.
Verses
3
and
4
tell
us
that
Jude
had
originally
intended
to
write
about
the
salvation
we
share,
but
then
felt
compelled
to
warn
his
readers
about
some
godless
men
who
had
infiltrated
the
church.
These
were
false
teachers
who
taught
that
God’s
grace
gave
them
licence
to
sin,
since
their
sins
would
no
longer
be
held
against
them.
They
even
considered
their
sins
would
lead
to
further
evidence
of
God’s grace.
Jude
cites
historical
examples
of
God’s
judgement
against
such
apostates:
the
unbelieving
Israelites
during
the
exodus;
the
angels
who
fell
prior
to
the
flood;
and
Sodom
and
Gomorrah
judged
for
their
sexual
immorality
and
perversion.
He
then
describes
the
deplorable words and character of these godless men and the fate that awaits them.
Jude
reminds
his
readers
that
these
things
were
foretold
by
Jesus.
He
urges
them
to
continue
to
grow
in
faith,
showing
mercy
to
others and to save souls whenever they are able.
The
letter
ends
at
verses
24
and
25
with
an
expression
of
praise
to
God:
Now
to
Him
being
able
to
keep
you
without
stumbling,
and
to
set
you
before
His
glory
without
blemish,
with
unspeakable
joy; to
the
only
wise
God,
our
Saviour,
be
glory
and
majesty
and
might
and authority, even now and forever. Amen.
Hierarchical Précis