Jude’s epistle, though predating both the epistles of John and the Revelation, morally falls between them. In John’s epistle the antichrists had gone out from among them; in this epistle men have “crept in unawares” (Jude 44For 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 4)). Jude’s language is similar to that of Peter (2 Peter 2), though, whereas Peter emphasizes sin “having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin” (2 Peter 2:1414Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: (2 Peter 2:14)) Jude’s subject is apostasy, the giving up of the faith.
Jude warns against those that rejected the truth for the sake of temporal gain, meanwhile exhorting the saints to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 33Beloved, 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 3)). Apostasy was not a phase in the church’s history, but would continue until the coming of the Lord with His saints, as Enoch prophesied: “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, 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” (vss. 14-15).
Outline
The book begins with the believers’ security in Jesus Christ and ends with praise to a Saviour God who alone is able to keep us from falling. In between we have three examples from the Old Testament of apostasy (vss. 5-7), three more that illustrate the progression of evil in Christendom (vs. 11), and four examples from nature, each of which ends in judgment (vss. 12-13).
Because of their unbelief, many in Israel failed to reach the promised land. Angels, who in pride departed from their original state, are kept in eternal chains awaiting judgment. The immorality of Sodom and Gomorrah resulted in the eternal fire of judgment. In like manner, these apostates “defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities” (vs. 8).
In Cain we see man and his religion in violent opposition to the truth (Gen. 4). Balaam said what was required for a fee and sowed corruption in God’s assembly (Num. 22-24; Rev. 2:1414But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (Revelation 2:14)). Finally, in Core we have one that openly rebelled against God’s chosen and holy priesthood, claiming that the entire congregation was holy (Num. 16:33And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord? (Numbers 16:3)).
An apostate is twice dead, first, by nature, and, second, in his rejection of the grace of God (vs. 12). The navigator, both ancient and modern, has found his way by the fixed and enduring placement of the stars. A falling star provides no such anchor, and its end is fiery destruction (vs. 13).
The believer is exhorted in four things building, praying, keeping and looking: “Ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (vss. 20-21).
We are to have compassion on those that have been caught up in the influence of others, though the garment spotted by the flesh is to be hated (vs. 23). For the saint of God, Jude with confidence offers this doxology: “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, to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (vss. 24-25).
N. Simon