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Jude 1

World English Bible

WEB

1Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into indecency, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ. 5Now I desire to remind you, though you already know this, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who didn’t believe. 6Angels who didn’t keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day. 7Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, having in the same way as these given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are shown as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. 8Yet in the same way, these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings. 9But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!” 10But these speak evil of whatever things they don’t know. They are destroyed in these things that they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason. 11Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion. 12These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever. 14About these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts—and their mouth speaks proud things—showing respect of persons to gain advantage. 17But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18They said to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.” 19These are those who cause divisions and are sensual, not having the Spirit. 20But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22On some have compassion, making a distinction, 23and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh. 24Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, 25to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

The Book of Jude is a brief yet powerful epistle that serves as a warning against false teachers and a call to remain steadfast in the faith. In Jude 1, the author identifies himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, addressing the recipients as those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ. This opening establishes the authority of Jude and emphasizes the divine protection over believers, reminding them of their secure position in Christ. The letter begins with a greeting of mercy, peace, and love, which sets a tone of encouragement amidst the challenges faced by the early church.

Jude then expresses his desire to write about the common salvation but feels compelled to urge the believers to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. He warns them about certain individuals who have secretly infiltrated the church, turning the grace of God into a license for immorality and denying Jesus Christ. Jude draws upon historical examples, such as the Israelites who were saved from Egypt but later destroyed for their unbelief, and the fallen angels who are kept in darkness for judgment. These examples serve to illustrate the seriousness of straying from the truth and the consequences of false teachings.

The chapter concludes with a vivid description of the characteristics of these false teachers, likening them to unreasoning animals and emphasizing their destructive nature. Jude encourages believers to build themselves up in their most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep themselves in the love of God while waiting for the mercy of Jesus Christ. This call to vigilance and perseverance is a reminder that, despite the challenges, God is able to keep His people from stumbling and present them blameless before His glorious presence. #Jude #FalseTeachers #Faith #ContendForTheFaith #Grace

Study

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Referenced by

  1. Deuteronomy 34:6v9Deuteronomy 34:6 notes that God Himself buried Moses, and his burial place was unknown. Jude 1:9 references a dispute between Michael the archangel and the devil over the body of Moses, indicating the significance of Moses' death and burial.
  2. Zechariah 3:2v9Zechariah 3:2 shows the LORD rebuking Satan, which parallels Michael the archangel's rebuke of Satan in Jude 1:9. Both instances highlight divine authority over Satan.
  3. 2 Peter 2:4v62 Peter 2:4 speaks of angels who sinned and were cast into hell, which is paralleled in Jude 1:6, emphasizing God's judgment on rebellious angels.
  4. 2 Peter 2:17v122 Peter 2:17 describes false teachers as waterless springs, similar to Jude 1:12-13, which uses metaphors to describe the emptiness and danger of false teachers.
  5. 2 Peter 3:3-4v18Both passages warn of scoffers in the last days who follow their own ungodly desires, highlighting a shared theme of skepticism towards the promise of Christ's return.

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