JUDE—NOTE ON 1–2 Initial Greeting. Although he is Jesus’ brother, Jude calls himself Jesus’ servant. Jesus is his Lord. He is also the brother of James, who plays a major role in the NT (Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; Gal. 1:19; 2:9, 12). called. See note on Rom. 8:30. Beloved shows the close relationship between God the Father and the readers. Jude reminds the readers that even though false teachers threaten them, they will be kept by God’s power from falling away.
Michael (v. 9) is the only archangel identified by name in Scripture. In the book of Daniel, he is the guardian of God’s people (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1). He also leads the heavenly army in the fight against the dragon in Rev. 12:7.
JUDE—NOTE ON 3–4 Jude’s Appeal: Contend for the Faith. Jude urges his readers to stand for the faith against the false teachers.
JUDE—NOTE ON 3 Beloved. Jude, like Peter, emphasizes his strong personal concern for his readers (see vv. 17, 20; 1 Pet. 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:1). the faith. The truth about Jesus and salvation through him. once for all delivered to the saints (that is, Christians). By this time, the content of “the faith” was established in the teaching of the early church.
JUDE—NOTE ON 4 crept in unnoticed. The false teachers seem to be Christians. Designated translates a Greek word meaning “to write about or identify beforehand.” The false teachers did not take God by surprise. He predicted their coming and their condemnation long before they existed. They pervert (that is, twist and distort) God’s grace (especially his free forgiveness of sin) into permission for sensuality (see note on 2 Pet. 2:2; compare Rom. 3:8; 6:1, 15; 2 Pet. 3:15–16).
JUDE—NOTE ON 5–16 The Immoral Character and Resulting Judgment of the False Teachers. Jude uses analogies from the OT and Jewish tradition to declare judgment for the false teachers (see v. 13). He also describes the immorality that characterizes this group.
JUDE—NOTE ON 5 Jude’s readers once fully knew about God’s judgment. Apparently their sense of its certainty has lessened. Jesus . . . saved a people out of the land of Egypt (see Exodus 1–15). This may seem puzzling, because the name “Jesus” does not appear in the OT. This is a clear example of the apostolic understanding of the OT. The Son of God has an eternal divine nature. He was active in the world from the beginning of creation (see John 1:3; 8:56–58; 12:41; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:8–12). Jesus, then, judged and destroyed those who escaped Egypt but failed to trust God (compare 1 Cor. 10:5; Heb. 3:16–19).
JUDE—NOTE ON 6 angels who did not stay within their own position of authority. God has kept these beings in eternal chains ever since. Some scholars think this refers to the fall of angels from heaven. Others think Jude refers to the sin of angels in Gen. 6:1–4 (see note on 1 Pet. 3:19; see also Jude 14–15).
JUDE—NOTE ON 7 The people of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) received the judgment of eternal fire. Smoke rose from the site of Sodom and Gomorrah into the first century A.D. This was taken as a physical symbol of eternal divine judgment. Pursued unnatural desire refers to the homosexual activity in Sodom (Gen. 19:5).
JUDE—NOTE ON 8–10 These people also refers to the false teachers (see chart). They are led astray by relying on their dreams. They follow experiences they claim are from God. Yet these experiences lead them to disobey God’s written Word (see v. 18). the glorious ones. Probably evil angels (see note on 2 Pet. 2:10b–11). Even the archangel (chief or leader of angels) Michael did not slander or insult the devil when he disputed with him over the body of Moses. This event is not in the OT. Whatever story Jude refers to has been lost. In any case, Michael did not condemn the devil. He left that to God’s authority. He simply told the devil, “The Lord rebuke you.” This demonstrates the exclusive power and authority of Jesus Christ, something the false teachers deny (see Jude 4). Christ also gives believers authority over demons (see note on Acts 16:18). Jude’s use of a story from nonbiblical literature does not indicate that Jude thought the book was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Elsewhere in the NT, writers quote nonbiblical sources to make a point (see notes on Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12–13).
Jude often refers to prophecies or events and then applies them to the false teachers with the word “these,” thereby showing how these past events and prophecies are to be understood.
| Reference | Past event | Application to false teachers | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| vv. 5–7 | Judgment on Israel, angels, and Sodom and Gomorrah | “these people also” | v. 8 |
| v. 9 | Michael did not rebuke the devil | “But these people” | v. 10 |
| v. 11 | Cain, Balaam, Korah | “These” | v. 12 |
| vv. 14–15 | Enoch’s proclamation of judgment | “These” | v. 16 |
| vv. 17–18 | Predictions of apostles | “It is these” | v. 19 |
JUDE—NOTE ON 10 All that they do not understand includes true biblical doctrine about God, angels, and demons, and human sin and forgiveness through Christ. What they understand instinctively, like animals, is how to follow their desires, by which they will ultimately be destroyed.
JUDE—NOTE ON 11 Cain (Gen. 4:5–8), Balaam (Num. 22:5–7; 2 Pet. 2:15), and Korah (Num. 16:1–3, 31–35) were all dissatisfied with what they had in life. They rebelled against God, greedily seeking selfish gain at any cost.
JUDE—NOTE ON 12–13 Jude compares the false teachers to hidden reefs that destroy ships without warning. These opponents of the gospel hide in the church. They share in the love feasts (including the Lord’s Supper). They act as if they are Christians. Instead, they are like waterless clouds, promising rain that never falls. They promise fruit but are like fruitless trees. They are like wandering stars (probably meaning planets) that give misleading guidance to travelers.
JUDE—NOTE ON 14–15 Enoch, the seventh from Adam (Gen. 5:18–24; compare 1 Chron. 1:3). Jude describes the coming of the Lord as Enoch prophesied, and he quotes from 1 Enoch 1.9 (see note on Jude 8–10). The quote from Enoch focuses on blasphemy against God (e.g., in vv. 3–4, the opponents’ denial of Jesus Christ). to convict. For punishment, not for repentance (as in John 16:8). Jude places great emphasis on the ungodliness of those judged (see note on 2 Pet. 1:6).
JUDE—NOTE ON 16 Jude applies the citation from Enoch to the false teachers, probably using this list of sins to focus on some of their more pronounced and obvious misbehaviors. Grumblers calls to mind the wilderness generation (Ex. 16:7–12; Num. 14:27; 16:41; 17:5). To gain advantage probably refers to financial gain (see Jude 11).
JUDE—NOTE ON 17–25 Concluding Exhortations. Jude stresses the proper response of believers to false teachers.
JUDE—NOTE ON 17–18 beloved. See note on v. 3. the predictions of the apostles. Warnings about false teachers (compare v. 4; Acts 20:29–30; 1 Tim. 4:1–5; 2 Tim. 3:1–5).
JUDE—NOTE ON 19 It is these indicates that the “scoffers” described in v. 18 are the false teachers Jude warns about (see chart). These worldly people . . . cause divisions within the church over many things. They especially cause trouble over morality and doctrine. Devoid of the Spirit is an indication that these opponents are really unbelievers (compare Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 2:14).
JUDE—NOTE ON 20 praying in the Holy Spirit. That is, praying in harmony with the leading of the Holy Spirit, rather than according to one’s own agenda (see Rom. 8:26–27; Eph. 6:18). The context here is different from the speaking in tongues described in 1 Cor. 14:14–19.
While Christians wait for the Lord to return, they should be building themselves up in the faith, praying, and showing mercy to doubters and sinners—while also fearing the evil influence of such people (vv. 20–23).
JUDE—NOTE ON 21 keep (or guard) yourselves in the love of God. Christians do this by growing strong doctrinally (v. 20), persevering in prayer (v. 20), and waiting for the Lord’s coming. Verses 1–2 and vv. 24–25 teach that God keeps them as well. No true believer will ever lose his or her salvation (see notes on Heb. 6:6; 2 Pet. 1:10).
JUDE—NOTE ON 23 To save some people (that is, to lead them to faith in Christ) involves snatching them out of the fire. They were close to God’s judgment. Others who are caught up in immorality should also be shown mercy. This should be done with fear, so that the faithful Christian is not influenced toward evil by the person he is trying to restore. Hating even the garment stained by the flesh (compare Zech. 3:3–5) implies hating the sin and everything connected with it. The sinner, however, should be treated with mercy, not hatred.
JUDE—NOTE ON 24 God has the power to keep from stumbling those who have put their faith in him. By “stumbling” Jude means falling into sin or error. If such behavior continues it will eventually lead to falling away from the faith. God will present the Christian blameless (with no stain or sin). before the presence of his glory. The brightness that surrounds God’s presence and visibly shows his holy character. The only possible response to God’s work for believers is great joy.
JUDE—NOTE ON 25 the only God. There is only one God. He has acted redemptively (our Savior; see note on 2 Tim. 1:8–10) through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus is the mediator between people and God. The church praises God through Christ, saying, to God be glory (great honor), majesty (he is greater than all), dominion (his kingdom has no boundaries), and authority (he rules over all creation). Before all time means before the beginning of creation (Gen. 1:1).