(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Jude – named after its author, Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James
• Definition: A brief yet urgent epistle warning against false teachers and calling believers to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Jude, traditionally identified as the brother of Jesus and James (Matthew 13:55); distinguishes himself as a servant of Christ and not as an apostle
• When: Likely written between AD 65–80, though exact dating is debated; possibly before or around the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple
• Audience: Jewish-Christian believers, possibly in Palestine or Asia Minor, under threat from heretical influences and moral corruption
• Purpose: To warn the Church against infiltrating false teachers who distort grace into licence, deny Christ’s authority, and lead others astray; to urge perseverance in the true faith

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Highly polemical; makes use of triads, Old Testament typology, apocalyptic imagery, and intertextual references, including extra-biblical Jewish writings
• Key Themes: Contending for the faith, divine judgement, apostasy, moral integrity, spiritual vigilance, mercy and fear in community care
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ Christ is referred to as Lord, Saviour, and the one who delivers and judges (vv.4–5, 21, 24–25)
○ Redemption is contrasted with apostasy: those saved must remain faithful to avoid the fate of those who fall away
○ Christ’s authority is both salvific and judicial, opposing the lawless grace-abuse of false teachers
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ The imagery of wandering stars (v.13), hidden reefs (v.12), and uprooted trees (v.12) symbolises instability, danger, and fruitlessness
○ The archangel Michael contending with the devil (v.9) illustrates spiritual warfare
○ Sodom and Gomorrah serve as typological warnings against moral defilement and divine wrath

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Greeting (vv.1–2), purpose and warning (vv.3–4), historical and typological examples of judgement (vv.5–7), descriptions of false teachers (vv.8–13), prophetic warnings (vv.14–16), exhortations to the faithful (vv.17–23), and doxology (vv.24–25)
• Canonical Significance: Though brief, it addresses vital concerns of doctrinal fidelity and moral purity; forms a link between apostolic teaching and eschatological judgement
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Closely related to 2 Peter, especially chapter 2, sharing structure and themes; parallels 1 John in opposing false doctrine
○ Connections to the Old Testament: References to Exodus (v.5), fallen angels (Genesis 6; v.6), Sodom and Gomorrah (v.7), Cain, Balaam, and Korah (v.11) reinforce patterns of rebellion and divine judgement
○ Connections to the New Testament: Resonates with themes from the Gospels, 2 Peter, and Revelation regarding vigilance, judgement, and perseverance
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: Quotes the apocryphal 1 Enoch (vv.14–15) to support the theme of divine judgement
○ Connections with Judaism: Deeply embedded in Jewish apocalyptic and ethical traditions, yet reoriented through the lordship of Jesus Christ
○ Connections with Islam: Affirms divine judgement, moral purity, and resistance to corruption; diverges on Christ’s identity and authority
• Key Passages or Verses: Jude v.3 – “Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people”
Jude v.4 – “They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a licence for immorality”
Jude v.9 – “Michael the archangel… did not himself dare to condemn him for slander”
Jude vv.24–25 – “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling…”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: Jude writes with urgency and authority as a brother of Jesus and servant of Christ, aiming to defend the faith and protect the Church
• Who are the Main Characters: The faithful believers, false teachers, Christ, the archangel Michael, Old Testament figures such as Cain, Balaam, and Korah, and the people of Sodom

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – The one who calls, loves, and preserves believers (v.1)
○ The Son – Lord and Judge, whose grace is misused by false teachers (v.4), and who is able to keep and present believers blameless (vv.24–25)
○ The Holy Spirit – Believers are to pray in the Holy Spirit (v.20), suggesting spiritual empowerment and discernment
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Michael functions as a priestly warrior; the letter stands as a prophetic call to contend and purify
• Role of the Church: A community under threat, called to defend orthodoxy, show mercy, fear God, and rescue those led astray
• Role of Men and Women: Although not gender-specific, the ethical instructions and calls to vigilance apply universally to all believers

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Likely written in Palestine or Asia Minor to Jewish-Christian congregations familiar with apocalyptic literature
• Historical Context: The early church was confronting heretical teachings, libertine behaviour, and distorted views of grace
• Cultural Context: Greco-Roman and Jewish esoteric beliefs, speculative angelology, and libertine ethics threatened the purity of Christian doctrine and behaviour

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: Jewish apocalyptic thought and Second Temple literature influenced Jude’s style and warnings
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Gnostic tendencies and Greco-Roman philosophical individualism underlie the errors Jude confronts
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Disregard for authority, pursuit of pleasure, and arrogance in spiritual matters mirrored wider cultural decadence
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ The misuse of communal feasts (v.12) and disrespect for angelic beings reflect doctrinal and liturgical corruption

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Connects Old Testament patterns of judgement with New Testament exhortations to remain faithful amid apostasy
2. Theological Significance: Emphasises doctrinal orthodoxy, the danger of false teaching, the certainty of divine judgement, and the sustaining grace of God
3. Spiritual Themes: Contending for truth, divine sovereignty, judgement, mercy, perseverance, and community responsibility
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: Stand firm in the faith. Be vigilant. Show mercy with discernment. Rely on God’s ability to preserve
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Important for demonology, angelology, ecclesiology, and the doctrine of perseverance; influential in spiritual warfare discourse
6. Historical Reception: Early inclusion in the canon was debated due to its use of non-canonical sources, but widely accepted for its theological and pastoral force

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Jude draws heavily on Old Testament judgement narratives and Jewish traditions to reinforce New Testament warnings
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Reflects themes from 1 Enoch and other intertestamental texts; affirms divine justice and moral seriousness
3. Connections with Islam: Shares emphasis on divine retribution, angelic presence, and moral vigilance; differs on Christology and redemptive grace
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Impacted Christian understanding of apostasy, discipline, and false teachers; referenced in literature and spiritual warfare theology
5. Scientific Perspectives: Studied in textual criticism, Jewish-Christian intertextuality, and apocalyptic imagination
6. Global Perspective: Relevant across cultures facing religious confusion, false teaching, and moral laxity; affirms the need for spiritual discernment and perseverance

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: Use of extra-canonical texts and cosmic conflict imagery has attracted mystical interest; also warned against spiritual elitism
2. Comparative Mythology: Echoes ancient judgement myths while framing them through Jewish and Christian revelation
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Confronts relativism, moral decay, and arrogance; affirms humility, accountability, and divine justice
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Build yourselves up in faith
   ○ Pray in the Spirit
   ○ Show mercy to doubters
   ○ Snatch others from the fire
   ○ Keep yourselves in God’s love
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Urges theological vigilance in an age of pluralism, relativism, and spiritual deception; equips the Church to stand in truth with mercy

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Use of non-canonical texts, understanding references to fallen angels and spiritual warfare, and the symbolic language of judgement
2. Theological Debates: Criteria for canon inclusion, interpretation of apocalyptic imagery, the extent of apostolic tradition, and the doctrine of perseverance
3. Key Questions Addressed: How should Christians respond to false teaching? What does contending for the faith look like? How does God preserve His people in a corrupted age?