Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.
JUDE - NEW TESTAMENT - EPISTLE
26th book of the NT
65th book of the Bible
It starts with a great greeting v.1-2 - believers are beloved by God and kept for Jesus
I love the blessings pronounced in God's Word and they are still blessings to us as well.
What is it?
The Book of Jude is one of the Epistles in the New Testament which means it is a letter.
How Long is it?
It only has 1 chapter which contains 25 verses.
When was it Written?
It is generally thought to have been written between 60 & 80 AD
Who Wrote it?
Jude
The first half of verse 1 tells us who Jude was
"Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,"
"Teach Sunday School" tells us the following
"Jude is the half-brother of Jesus who did not believe in Him until after the resurrection."
Jude was of the same earthly family as Jesus but was also a believer.
He himself said he was the brother of James and this is the James who was the brother of Jesus.
Other verses in the bible name brothers of Jesus as James and Judas and Simon but it is also known that the name Judas could also be used as Jude.
Who was it Written to?
It was written to believers as we see in verse 1
"To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ"
Why was it Written?
It was written as a warning to the believers about ungodly people who portray themselves as believers to change the meaning of God's Word and that the believers are to stand firm in the Word.
The Overview Bible tells us the following
"A letter encouraging Christians to contend for the faith, even though ungodly persons have crept in unnoticed."
which is what verses 3 & states
"Teach Sunday School" tells us the following
"The purpose of this book is to address false teaching. An attempt by an early Church leader to keep errors out of Believers' thinking."
Jude verse 3 reminds me of advice Paul gave to the people in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 16 v 13
What is it normally well-known for?
Instruction about scoffers in the end times and those who will infiltrate the church with false teaching.
verses 17 -19
"But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They told you, “In the end time there will be scoffers living according to their own ungodly desires.” These people create divisions and are worldly, not having the Spirit."
Who does Jude refer to from the Old Testament?
Angels v 6 & 9
Moses v 9
Enoch v 14
What new info is found here and not in the Old Testament?
Enoch prophesied that the Lord would come in judgement against the ungodly.
What does Jude write to encourage the believers?
He writes about their faith, prayer, the love of God and the mercy of Jesus in verses 20 & 21
How does it end?
in a prayer of praise to God
reminding the saints of what is before them,
the upholding hand of God.
This prayer is also a great example of how the early believers ended their letters in praise of God.
OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE
