Dig In:
Dig Deeper:
Enjoy the Bible Project video to learn more about Jude. (Hint, use the gear icon to speed the playback up to 1.5 to save some time)
Chapter Summary
v1-4 - Introduction and reason for writing:
to urge his readers to "contend [literally: fight] for the faith (v3)."
They needed to do this because the church was being infiltrated by "ungodly people, who:
pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality
and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord (v4)."
We need to pay close attention to this short letter, because immorality is being defended by more and more 'Christians' at all levels of our society, including in our denomination.
v5-19 - Jude references lots of examples of how people throughout history have abandoned God's set order and morality "gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion."
In the midst of this list of those who've turned their backs upon God, Jude mentions a strange incident between the Archangel Michael and the devil, which is recorded in an extra-biblical book Jewish people were very familiar with.
We may not resonate with the story Jude refers to here, but we do need to learn the lesson it teaches:
As we confront evil and immorality in our world, it's so tempting to attack and insult the proponents of it. Don't fall into that trap.
Michael is confronting the devil himself, and if there's ever an excuse to condemn someone for slanderous lying, this would be it.
But Michael doesn't do that. Rather he stands for the truth, but lets God judge the sinner. We must follow Michael's example.
v20-23 - This passage contains the imperatives Christians must live by:
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
v24-25 - This final passage is both a benediction (good words of blessing) and a doxology (words of glory), and it's one we often use to close our worship services.
OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCE: Refamiliarize yourself with the account of the wicked city of Sodom in Genesis 19.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions:
EYE FOR DETAIL—From what you recall seeing in this chapter, try answering the following question without looking at your Bible: Which one of these persons are not mentioned in this letter—Adam, Balaam, Cain, Enoch, Jacob, Korah, Michael, or Moses? (See verses 9, 11, and 14.)
What are the most important things Jude wants us to understand about God’s love and mercy?
Questions taken from The Complete Bible Discussion Guide: New Testament
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: He who is able to keep you from stumbling... the only God, our Savior, who has glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now & forevermore (v24-25)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask God to strengthen you to build yourself up in faith and prayer to keep you in His love (v20-21)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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