Jude

Contend for the Faith

Jude, the sixty-fifth book of the Bible, is a brief, urgent appeal to defend the apostolic faith against false teachers. These intruders pervert grace into sensuality and deny Jesus Christ. Jude reminds believers of God's past judgments, warns of present corruption, and calls the church to perseverance, mercy, and hope.

Though short, the letter weaves vivid Old Testament and Jewish imagery, climaxing with one of Scripture's most exalted doxologies.

Illustration of the book of Jude

Chapters of Jude

1

What is Jude about?

Jude greets his readers as those called, loved, and kept for Jesus Christ. He urges them to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints, for ungodly people have slipped in unnoticed. These teachers follow the way of Cain, Balaam's error, and Korah's rebellion.

God's judgment is certain: examples include unbelieving Israel, rebellious angels, and Sodom and Gomorrah. Jude employs striking images—hidden reefs, waterless clouds, fruitless trees, wild waves, wandering stars—to portray their destructive influence.

In contrast, believers are to build themselves up in the faith, pray in the Spirit, keep themselves in God's love, wait for Christ's mercy, and show mercy with discernment. The letter closes with a magnificent doxology to the God who keeps His people from stumbling and brings them blameless into glory.

Who wrote Jude?

Written by Jude (Judas), a brother of James and servant of Jesus Christ.

What's Jude's meaning and significance?

Jude teaches that grace is not license but power for holy living. The faith must be guarded against distortion, with believers persevering in prayer, mercy, and hope, while trusting God's keeping power.

Is Jude an important book?

The letter is important for the theology of contending for the faith, judgment, perseverance, false teaching, holiness, mercy, and doxology. It reminds the church that God's salvation entails vigilance, purity, and confident hope in His preserving grace.

When was Jude written?

Likely written AD 65–80, in the late first century.

What are the main sections of Jude?

Jude moves from call to contend for the faith, to denunciation of false teachers with biblical examples, to exhortations for perseverance, and closes with a doxology.

The main sections of Jude are:

  • Greeting and purpose Jude 1:1–4
    Called, beloved, kept; appeal to contend for the faith; false teachers have crept in.
  • Examples of judgment Jude 1:5–16
    Israel, angels, Sodom; false teachers compared to Cain, Balaam, Korah; vivid images of corruption.
  • Exhortation to persevere Jude 1:17–23
    Remember apostolic warnings; build yourselves up; pray in the Spirit; keep in God's love; show mercy with discernment.
  • Doxology Jude 1:24–25
    Praise to the God who keeps us from stumbling and presents us blameless with great joy.

Key Elements of Jude

Understanding the main themes, important people, significant places, and key concepts in Jude helps us grasp its message and apply it to our lives today.

Key Themes

faith perseverance judgment false teachers holiness mercy vigilance doxology contending

Key Concepts

jude contend for the faith false teachers ungodly intruders keep yourselves in god's love doxology

Key People

Jude (brother of James) false teachers Cain Balaam Korah Michael the archangel

Key Places

Palestine Asia Minor (possible recipients)

Chapters of Jude

Select a chapter to read and study:

1 Chapter 1