Jude - Chapter 1

Jude 1.1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Jude 1.2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Jude 1.3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, 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. Jude 1.4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1.5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. Jude 1.6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Jude 1.7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 1.8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Jude 1.9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Jude 1.10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Jude 1.11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. Jude 1.12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Jude 1.13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jude 1.14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, Jude 1.15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Jude 1.16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. Jude 1.17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; Jude 1.18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. Jude 1.19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. Jude 1.20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 1.21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1.22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: Jude 1.23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jude 1.24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 1.25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Jude : Chapter 1

The Letter of Jude: A Call to Spiritual Vigilance

Jude, a powerful epistle, warns against false teachers within the Church. The author of this letter combats emerging heresies with a pressing exhortation to believers, urging them to contend for the faith delivered to them. Through historical examples of divine judgment, he encourages perseverance in the face of spiritual challenges.

Main Themes of the Epistle

The text addresses crucial topics such as apostasy, spiritual discernment, and God's preserving grace. Jude offers practical advice for maintaining doctrinal purity in times of spiritual turbulence. As we delve into this letter, we are invited to investigate five biblical passages that shed light on the urgent themes of this prophetic epistle.

Examples of Divine Judgment

The first example is found in 2 Peter 2:1: "In times past, false prophets appeared among the people, just as false teachers will also appear among you. These will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who saved them, thus bringing sudden destruction upon themselves." This verse resonates with Jude's warning, highlighting the early church's shared concern about the infiltration of false teachers.

Then, Genesis 19:24-25 reminds us: "Then the Lord rained fire and sulfur from heaven on Sodom and Gomorrah. He destroyed those cities and all the plain, with all the inhabitants of the cities and all the vegetation." Jude refers to this event, illustrating divine judgment on immorality.

Another striking example is found in Numbers 16:31-33: "As soon as Moses had finished speaking, the ground split open beneath them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all the men of Korah, and all their possessions." Jude mentions Korah's rebellion as a striking example of rebellion against divine authority.

Furthermore, Deuteronomy 34:5-6 states: "And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, just as the Lord had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth-peor, but to this day no one knows where his tomb is." Jude alludes to a tradition concerning the dispute over Moses' body, highlighting the need to respect God's purposes.

Finally, Ephesians 6:18 exhorts us: "Pray in the Spirit at all times, with all prayer and supplication; with this in mind, be attentive and persevere in supplication for all the saints." This verse aligns perfectly with Jude's exhortation to pray in the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of prayer in the Christian life.

Conclusion

Jude's letter calls us to constant vigilance and a life of fervent prayer. Keeping in mind the warnings and examples of Scripture, we are encouraged to stand firm in our faith and defend the truth against every form of error.