Jude (the Author, Brother of James and Jesus’ Servant)
Category: Endurance in contending for truth
Could avoid: Stay silent against false teachers.
“Although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith.” (Jude 3)
Cross-Refs: 1 Timothy 6:12; Philippians 1:27.
Chose: To warn believers about corrupt intruders.
“For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you.” (Jude 4)
Cross-Refs: 2 Peter 2:1; Matthew 7:15.
Endured: Opposition, discouragement, spiritual danger in the church.
“These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” (Jude 19)
Cross-Refs: 1 John 2:19; Romans 16:17.
Why: To protect the faith delivered once for all to the saints.
“…the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” (Jude 3)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 1:6–9; Acts 20:28.
Result: Strengthened church, preserved truth.
“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith… keep yourselves in God’s love.” (Jude 20–21)
Cross-Refs: Colossians 2:6–7; John 15:9–10.
Believers (The Church)
Category: Endurance in godliness & vigilance
Could avoid: Follow false teachers, indulge in sin.
“They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality.” (Jude 4)
Cross-Refs: Romans 6:1–2; Titus 1:16.
Chose: Build themselves up in faith and pray in the Spirit.
“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 20)
Cross-Refs: Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Endured: Mockery, false teaching, ungodly influences.
“In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” (Jude 18)
Cross-Refs: 2 Peter 3:3; 1 Timothy 4:1.
Why: To remain in God’s love while waiting for Christ’s mercy.
“Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” (Jude 21)
Cross-Refs: John 15:9; Titus 2:13.
Result: Eternal life and God’s keeping power.
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” (Jude 24)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24.
Negative Examples (Warnings)
Category: Failure of endurance in rebellion
- Israel in the wilderness → could not endure unbelief.
“The Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.” (Jude 5)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 14:29–30; 1 Corinthians 10:5. - Fallen angels → abandoned their calling.
“The angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness.” (Jude 6)
Cross-Refs: 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:9. - Sodom and Gomorrah → endured judgment for immorality.
“They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.” (Jude 7)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 19:24–25; Luke 17:29. - Cain, Balaam, Korah → chosen wrongly.
“They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.” (Jude 11)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 22:21–35; Numbers 16:31–35.
Christian Endurance (Theological Theme)
Category: Endurance in contending for the faith
Could avoid: Drift into compromise and fear.
“These are the people who divide you… and do not have the Spirit.” (Jude 19)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 5:19–21; 1 John 4:1.
Chose: Show mercy, rescue others, hate sin.
“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire.” (Jude 22–23)
Cross-Refs: Zechariah 3:2; James 5:19–20.
Endured: The constant pull of deception and worldliness.
“They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind… for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.” (Jude 12–13)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 25:14; 2 Peter 2:17.
Why: Christ alone can keep and preserve His people.
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling.” (Jude 24)
Cross-Refs: John 10:28–29; Psalm 121:7–8.
Result: Joyful presentation before God’s glory.
“…to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” (Jude 24)
Cross-Refs: Revelation 14:5; Ephesians 5:27.