General Epistles · New Testament

The Book of Jude

Jude urges believers to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, warning against false teachers who have crept into the church unnoticed.

Chapters
1
Testament
New
Category
General Epistles
Traditional Author
Traditionally attributed to Jude, the brother of James and half-brother of Jesus

Overview

Jude originally intended to write about the common salvation but instead felt compelled to warn believers about ungodly persons who had slipped into the church, turning the grace of God into a license for immorality and denying the Lord Jesus Christ. He cites Old Testament examples of divine judgment — the Israelites in the wilderness, the fallen angels, and Sodom and Gomorrah — as warnings. Jude describes the character of these false teachers and encourages believers to build themselves up in their most holy faith, to pray in the Holy Spirit, and to keep themselves in the love of God.

Key Themes

  • Contending for the faith
  • Warning against false teachers who pervert grace
  • God's judgment on the ungodly
  • Keeping oneself in the love of God
  • God's power to keep believers from falling

Key Verses

"Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."

Jude 1:3 (NKJV)

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."

Jude 1:24-25 (NKJV)

How It Applies Today

Jude reminds believers that the faith was delivered once for all and must be actively defended against distortion and compromise. The warning against those who turn grace into a license for sin is relevant in every generation. The closing doxology assures believers that God is able to keep them from stumbling and to present them faultless before His glory — their perseverance rests ultimately in His power.