Jude—Contend for the Faith
7.12.23
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was necessary for me to write to you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)
“This vigorous little book, standing as it does in our English Bibles, forms a fitting introduction to the concluding book of the New Testament.” [D. Edmond Hiebert]
Jude introduces himself as the brother of James (the author of the Book of James). He was also a half-brother of the Lord Jesus (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3). Like James, he did not come to Christ as his Lord and Savior until after Jesus had risen.
His name is really ‘Judah’ in the Hebrew and ‘Judas’ in the Greek. However, English versions have invariably used the name Jude to distinguish him from the Judas who betrayed the Lord Jesus.
Jude had intended to write about salvation, but he was constrained by the Spirit to address the growing apostasy that he saw in the churches. Thus, the theme of the book is ‘contending for the faith.’
The Gnosticism that Paul had warned about in Colossians, and that John will speak of in 1 John, has been making advances in the churches. This version of Gnosticism was antinomian—lawless. Since the flesh was evil and only the spirit good, it didn’t matter what one did with the flesh, and all kinds of corruption abounded. Jude sought to condemn these practices and urge the believers to stand fast, contend for the faith, and grow in the Lord.
Prior to coming to Immanuel Baptist Church, this writer sold curriculum for many years produced by Bob Jones University Press. They have an excellent survey of the Old and New Testaments geared to 5th and 6th graders. These have often been a help in the production of these biblical overviews for ‘Pause and Consider.’ Their outline of Jude is good: Defense of the faith (1-4), Destruction of False Teachers (5-16), and Devotion to God (17-25)
The similarity between Jude and 2 Peter 2 cannot be dismissed. It is believed that Jude borrowed from Peter, using many of the same OT examples. The key difference is that, while Peter anticipates the coming of false teachers (2 Pet 2:1), Jude speaks of them as present (v. 4). Therefore, Jude must have been written sometime after 2 Peter.
As for our Lord, Jesus Christ, Jude focuses our attention on the believer’s security in Christ (1, 24), on the eternal life that He has given (21), and on His sure coming again (21). It is Jesus Christ our Lord who gives us access into God’s presence (24, 25). There also is a very clear warning of the judgment to come for those who reject the Savior (23).
Please take time to read this short epistle. I think you will find it quite interesting. Hopefully it will draw you to the Savior, and if you know Him, you will be strengthened in your love for Him and His Word.