General Epistles · New Testament
Jude
c. AD 65
- Section
- General Epistles · New Testament
- Events span
- c. AD 65
- Written
- c. AD 65
- Author
- Jude, the brother of James and of Jesus
Jude, likely a brother of Jesus, writes a fiery warning against false teachers who have secretly slipped into the church, turning God's grace into a license to sin. Drawing on Old Testament examples of judgment, he urges believers to contend for the faith and keep themselves in God's love.
Historical setting: The church contending against false teachers in the apostolic age; the Second Temple still standing.
Key themes
- Contend for the faith
- Warning against false teachers
- God's judgment
- Perseverance
- Keeping in God's love
The letter's message
- Jude urges believers to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints
- He recalls God's judgment on unbelieving Israel, the fallen angels, and Sodom
- He denounces the ungodly false teachers who have crept in unnoticed
- Build yourselves up in faith and keep yourselves in the love of God
- A closing doxology to God, who is able to keep you from falling
Key lessons
- Some truths are worth fighting for; when error slips quietly into the church, believers must actively “contend for the faith,” not passively let it pass. Jude 3–4
- Grace is never a license to sin; false teachers who twist God’s mercy into permission for immorality face certain judgment, as history repeatedly shows. Jude 5–7
- Standing firm is not only about arguing but about growing: build yourselves up in faith, pray, keep in God’s love, and rescue the wavering, trusting the God “able to keep you from falling.” Jude 20–24
“it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
Critical scholarship view
Where mainstream critical scholarship dates or attributes this book differently from the traditional view above.
- Written
- c. AD 90–100
- Author
- Anonymous or later, attributed to Jude