The Epistle of Jude

1
The Epistle of Jude

• A Call For Earnest Contention

2
Resources

• The Expositor on Jude by Bro. Mansfield
• The Epistle of Jude by Bro. Ullman
• - Christadelphianstudies.com
• Jude Bible Marking Notes by Bro. Cowie -
  Adelphosweb.com
• Various references to the letter of Jude in the
  writings of Bro. Thomas.

3
Who Was Jude?

• Jude, the Lords half brother Matt. 1355 Mk.
  63 Gal. 119
• I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an
  alien unto my mothers children. Psa 698

4
Why Did He Write?

• He wrote concerning the common salvation.
• The letter is a call to contention.
• The letter is an endorsement of apostolic
  teaching, particularly 2 Peter.
• Shows that the corruption within the Ecclesias,
  prophesied earlier by the apostles, had become a
  reality.

5
Why Did He Write?

• v. 4 "There are certain men crept in, unawares. "
• v.10 "These speak evil. . . "
• v.11 "They have gone in the way of Cain . . .
  "and ran greedily after the error of Balaam . .
  ."
• v.12 "These are spots in your feasts . . ."
• v.16 "These are murmurers, complainers, walking
  after their own lusts . . . Their mouths
  speaketh great swelling words
• v.19 These be they who separate themselves

6
Who Were the False Teachers?

• They were brethren who had taken up an extreme
  position in opposition to the Judaizers.
• Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
  Rom 61-2

7
Who Were the False Teachers?

• Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking
  perverse things, to draw away (the-RV, WEY)
  disciples after them. Therefore watch, and
  remember, that by the space of three years I
  ceased not to warn every one night and day with
  tears. Acts 2030,31
• As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of
  these things in which are some things hard to be
  understood, which they that are unlearned and
  unstable wrest, as they do also the other
  scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye
  therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things
  before, beware lest ye also, being led away with
  the error of the wicked, fall from your own
  stedfastness. 2 Pet 316,17
• See also 2 Pet. 23, 18, 20 3 1 Tim. 41 2
  Tim. 31

8
Who Were the False Teachers?

• They had craftily perverted the apostolic
  doctrine
• By grace are ye saved, through faith and that
  not of yourselves it is the gift of God Eph.
  28

9
Three Key Words

• 1. "Beloved" Occurs 3 times. V.1, 17, 20.
• 2. "Ungodly" Occurs 6 times. (The number of
  flesh!) V.4, 15, 18.
• 3. "Preserved" Occurs 5 times. V.1, rendered
  "reserved", V.6, 13 "kept", V.6 and "keep", v.
  21.
• Thus both parties are "reserved" for something
  in the Divine purpose the "beloved" will be
  preserved to inherit the Kingdom the "ungodly"
  will be "reserved" for Divine judgment!

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Outline of the Epistle

• 1. INTRODUCTION Vv. 1-2
• What constitutes a true Believer Vv. 1- 2
• 2. THE NEED TO CONTEND APOSTATE
• TEACHERS Vv. 3-16
• Their evil perversions Three basic denials ....
  Vv. 3- 4
• Their certain doom Three historic examples Vv.
  5- 7
• Their impious ways Three historic examples Vv.
  8-11
• Their utter depravity Six terrible metaphors
  Vv. 12-13
• Their final destruction Enoch's testimony ....
  Vv. 14-16
• 3. THE WAY TO CONTEND AVAILABLE
• RESOURCES Vv. 17-25
• Recognize that apostasy has been foretold Vv.
  17-18
• Analyze actions and fruits V. 19
• Draw upon Divine resources Vv. 20-21
• Seek to reclaim where possible Vv. 22-23
• Rest upon the help of Yahweh Vv. 24-25

12
What Constitutes a True BelieverVerses 1-2

• For he that is called in the Lord, being a
  servant, is the Lords freeman likewise also he
  that is called, being free, is Christs servant.
  Ye are bought with a price be not ye the
  servants of men. 1 Cor. 722
• Servants, be obedient to them that are your
  masters according to the flesh, with fear and
  trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto
  Christ Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers but
  as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God
  from the heart With good will doing service, as
  to the Lord, and not to men Knowing that
  whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same
  shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond
  or free. Eph 65-8

13
What Constitutes a True BelieverVerses 1-2

• That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the
  washing of water by the word Eph 526
• As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves
  according to the former lusts in your ignorance
  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye
  holy in all manner of conversation Because it is
  written, Be ye holy for I am holy 1 Pet. 114-16

14
What Constitutes a True BelieverVerses 1-2

• Preserved - Gk. tereo "to watch over, guard,
  preserve"a military term.
• Called Gk. Kletos derived from klesis,
  which forms part of the word for "ecclesia". It
  conveys the idea of a call or invitation, or
  appointment to an office and also the welcome
  that one receives on such occasions. It is
  therefore a word which defines the wonderful
  binding together in love, of the family of God.

15
What Constitutes a True BelieverVerses 1-2

• The "call" to the truth involves
• -INVITATION
• -SEPARATION
• -DEDICATION

16
Judes Urgency Verse 3

• "When I gave all diligence to write unto you"
  "Though I was using all diligence to be writing
  unto you concerning our common salvation, yet
  have I had necessity to write AT ONCE unto you",
  (Rotherham, our emphasis).
• "diligence" Gk. spoude "earnestness, zeal,
  and sometimes the haste with which a thing is
  done".
• "The common salvation" Gk. koines somewhat
  akin to the word for "fellowship" (koinonia).
  Koines means "belonging to several". This phrase
  represents a further reminder to Jude's readers
  that the Brotherhood of Christ held the one faith
  and the hope of salvation in "common", as a
  community. The community of Believers must
  therefore be of one mind on all vital elements of
  the one faith.

17
Judes Urgency Verse 3

• "And exhort you" Gk. parakaleo From "para"
  ("to the side") and "kaleo" ("to call"), thus,
  "to call to one's side".
• Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and
  said, Who is on the LORDS side? let him come
  unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered
  themselves together unto him. EX. 3226

18
Judes Urgency Verse 3

• "That ye should earnestly contend" Gk.
  epagonizomai (Strg. Bullinger)"to contend about
  a thing, as a combatant" (Vine)
• Described by some authors as the strongest word
  in the New Testament, the word literally means
  super-agony.
• Only let your conversation be as it becometh the
  gospel of Christ that whether I come and see
  you, or else be absent, I may hear of your
  affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with
  one mind striving together for the faith of the
  gospel Phil. 127
• This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy,
  according to the prophecies which went before on
  thee, that thou by them mightest war a good
  warfare 1 Tim. 118
• Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on
  eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and
  hast professed a good profession before many
  witnesses. 1 Tim. 612
• I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
  course, I have kept the faith Henceforth there
  is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which
  the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at
  that day and not to me only, but unto all them
  also that love his appearing. 2 Tim 47-8

19
Judes Urgency Verse 3

• "The faith" This was to be the subject of the
  contention. "The faith" is not something vague or
  abstract nor is it mere theoretic knowledge. It
  is the power (English, dynamo) of God unto
  salvation Rom. 116
• The faith" comes by "hearing . . .the word of
  God" Rom. 1017.
• Without the faith it is impossible to please
  God Heb. 116
• It has been delivered as a finality- once for
  all (R.V. and Roth)

20
The Three Basic Denials Verse 4

• "Crept in unawares" This phrase is one word in
  the Greek, pareisduno "to settle in alongside
  to lodge stealthily" (Strong) "to slip in,
  insinuate one's self, to go or come in by
  stealth" (Bullinger).
• And that because of false brethren unawares
  brought in, who came in privily to spy out our
  liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they
  might bring us into bondage Gal. 24
• But there were false prophets also among the
  people, even as there shall be false teachers
  among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
  heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them,
  and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And
  many shall follow their pernicious ways by
  reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil
  spoken of. 2 Pet. 21
• How did such men manage to rise to prominence and
  influence in the Ecclesias? Matt. 1324-25. Cp.
  Acts 2029-31 Eph. 513-14

21
The Three Basic Denials Verse 4

• Liberty to License
• Misunderstood the Doctrine of the Atonement
• Denied the Doctrine of God Manifestation

22
Their Certain DoomThree Historic Examples
Verses 5-7

• The Children of Israel the doom of
  faithlessness. (Lust of Eyes)
• The Angels Which Kept Not Their First Estate
  the fate of pride. (Pride of Life)
• Sodom and Gomorrha the destiny of self-
  indulgence and depravity. (Lust of Flesh)

23
The Children of Israel The Doom of Faithlessness

• Men were not ushered into being for the purpose
  of being saved or lost! God Manifestation, not
  human salvation, was the great purpose of the
  Eternal Spirit. The salvation of a multitude is
  incidental to the manifestation, but not the end
  proposed. -Dr. Thomas

24
The Children of Israel The Doom of Faithlessness

• Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest
  he fall 1 Cor. 1012
• They might be unto Yahweh for a people, and a
  name and a praise and a glory Jer. 1311
• Every one that is called by My Name . . . I have
  created him for My glory Isa. 437

25
The Angels Which Kept Not Their First Estate
The Fate of Pride

• The rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram Num.
  16, Num. 269-11. 273, Deut. 116-8. Psa.
  10616-18
• They "left their first estate," or "their own
  principality" (see mg.) or position of authority.
  The word archon, here translated "estate,"
  signifies "authority," or "rule."
• Habitation they deserted their proper abode
  Weymouth, they forsook their proper dwelling
  Roth.

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Sodom and Gomorrha The Destiny of Self-
Indulgence and Depravity

• Not just their sin but their attitude towards
  itThe shew of their countenance doth witness
  against them and they declare their sin as
  Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for
  they have rewarded evil unto themselves Isa. 39
• The people openly supported the wicked in
  opposition to the righteous I have seen also in
  the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing they
  commit adultery, and walk in lies they
  strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none
  doth return from his wickedness they are all of
  them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants
  thereof as Gomorrah Jer. 2314
• Their sin was fleshly pride induced by
  idlenessBehold, this was the iniquity of thy
  sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and
  abundance of idleness was in her and in her
  daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of
  the poor and needy Ezek. 1649

28
Sodom and Gomorrha An Example of the
Destruction Awaiting Babylon the Great Rev.
1410, 188

• Her judgment is consummated by a fiery
  overthrowshe will be consumed in fire. The
  foulness and filthiness of her abominations, and
  the similitude of the fate that awaits her, has
  caused the Great City and State to be
  spiritually called Sodom and Egypt (ch. 118).
  The punishment of Sodom will be Romes, and
  perhaps, that also of the whole Patrimony of St.
  Peter. This will consummate the plagues which
  begin her torment and sorrow in one and the same
  year after the Aion-tidings of good salutes the
  ears of Israel in Rome. But following upon
  pestilence, and famine is the twofold rendering
  of torment and anguish by the troops of Michael,
  the Great Prince, who invades her territory and
  becomes a smoking furnace of judgment, a lake of
  fire burning with brimstone (ch. 1919). From
  this she never emerges, and therefore, like
  Sodom, suffers the vengeance of a fire which is
  eternal (Jude 7)
• -Dr. Thomas

29
Their Impious Ways Verse 8

• "Likewise" The word signifies "in like manner,"
  and not merely "also."
• Rotherham In their dreamings, sometimes a
  divine agency Acts 217. But the law warned
  against false dreamers Duet 131-5, Jer. 2322-32

30
Their Impious Ways Verse 8

• "Defile the flesh" They recognize no
  restrictions as to what they can do, and thus
  indulge in the grossest immorality, as did Sodom.
• "Despise dominion" They despise "lordship"
  (Diaglott), or authority, divine or otherwise, as
  did Korah, Dathan and Abiram.
• "Speak evil of dignities"Lit. they "blaspheme
  glories" (doxas) that which should be the subject
  of praise (see 2 Pet. 210).

31
Their Impious Ways Verse 9

• The example of Michael the Archangel
• - Who is like EL
• - The Angel of Yahwehs presence Isa. 639, Ex.
  23 20-23 3314
• - Archangel chief messenger Roth.
• - Israels Prince Dan 1013, 21 121
• His work to be assumed by the Lord Jesus
  Christ.

32
Their Impious Ways Verse 9

• And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing
  before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing
  at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD
  said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan
  even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke
  thee is not this a brand plucked out of the
  fire? Zech. 31-2

33
Their Impious Ways Verse 9

• Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather
  give place unto wrath for it is written,
  Vengeance is mine I will repay, saith the Lord.
  Rom 1219
• My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in
  heart. God judgeth the righteous, and God is
  angry with the wicked every day. Psa. 710-11

34
Their Impious Ways Verse 10

• They spoke evil of those things they understood
  not namely, the doctrine of the Atonement, God
  manifestation and the true liberty of the Gospel.
  (The 3 denials of verse 4)
• Brute Beasts They reasoned from the
  standpoint of the flesh just like animals. Hence
  the term "brutish" is used of such people. See
  Psa. 4910 926 948 Prov. 121 Jer. 108
  517.

35
The Great Difference Between Man and the Lower
Creation

• While image, then, hath reference to form or
  shape, likeness hath regard to mental
  constitution, or capacity. From the shape of his
  head, as compared with other creatures, it is
  evident that man has a mental capacity which
  distinguishes him above them all. Their likeness
  to him is faint. They can think but their
  thoughts are only sensual. They have no moral
  sentiments, or high intellectual aspirations but
  are grovelling in all their instincts, which
  incline only to the earth. In proportion as their
  heads assume the human form in the same ratio do
  they excel each other in sagacity and, as in the
  monkey tribe, display a greater likeness to man.
  But, let the case be reversed let the human head
  degenerate from the godlike perfection of the
  Elohim, the standard of beauty in shape and
  feature let it diverge to the image of an apes,
  and the human animal no longer presents the image
  and likeness of the Elohim but rather, the
  chattering imbecility of the creature most
  resembling it in form. Adams mental capacity
  enabled him to comprehend and receive spiritual
  ideas, which moved him to veneration, hope,
  conscientiousness, the expression of his views,
  affections, and so forth. Seth was capable of the
  like display of intellectual and moral phenomena
  and of an assimilation of character to that of
  his father. He was therefore in the likeness as
  well as in the image of Adam and, in the same
  sense, they were both after the likeness of the
  Elohim.
• Dr. Thomas

36
Their Impious WaysThree Historic Examples
Verse 11

• Cainan example of unbelief and repudiation of
  God's will.
• Balaam a prophet speaking the words of Yahweh,
  yet descending to seduction and immorality to
  gain his ends.
• Korahan example of personified pride,
  illustrating the inevitable end of those who
  refuse to submit to the authority of Yahweh's
  Word.

37
Their Utter Depravity Six Terrible Metaphors
Verses 12-13

• Spots in feasts of charity
• Feeding themselves without fear
• Clouds without water
• Trees without fruit
• Raging waves of the sea
• Wandering stars

38
Spots In Feasts of Charity

• Spots hidden rocks Diag.
• Holding faith, and a good conscience which some
  having put away concerning faith have made
  shipwreck 1 Tim. 119
• When they feast with you They boldly carouse
  together RSV

39
Feeding Themselves Without Fear

• "Feeding" is literally "shepherding. Like the
  greedy, ignorant "shepherds" of Israel, these
  false teachers fed themselves but not the flock
  they consumed the well-fed of the flock (Ezek.
  341-3) by gross commercialization of religion,
  "making merchandise" of the wealthy among the
  ecclesia (2 Pet. 23).

40
Clouds Without Water

• Clouds without water impressive, full of
  promise, but empty. Whoso boasteth himself of a
  false gift is like clouds and wind without rain
  Prov 2514.
• "Carried about of winds"Paul uses a similar term
  in Eph. 414, when he describes certain "winds of
  doctrine." These false teachers carefully select
  their words and teaching to conform to popular
  desires, thus pandering to the flesh.

41
Trees Without Fruit

• The Diaglott renders "Bare autumn trees,
  unfruitful for two seasons, dead, rooted up."
• RSV renders Fruitless trees in late autumn
• How different to the righteous who are destined
  to constitute "the wood of life for the healing
  of the nations" Rev. 222

42
Raging Waves of the Sea

• Wild, vehement, furious, uncontrollable,
  destructive. But the wicked are like the
  troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters
  cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith
  my God, to the wicked Isa 5720-21
• But to the righteousYahweh on high is mightier
  than the noise of many waters, yea, than the
  mighty waves of the sea Psa 934

43
Wandering Stars

• Refers literally to meteors, not fixed, useless
  for light and guidance, but impressive. Compare
  these to the wiseAnd they that be wise shall
  shine as the brightness of the firmament and
  they that turn many to righteousness as the stars
  for ever and ever Dan 123

44
Enochs TestimonyVerses 14-16

• His name means dedicated or initiated.
• Typical of those alive at Christs return.
• "The Lord cometh with ten thousands of his
  saints" en hagiais musiasin autou, which
  literally signifies, "in holy myriads of himself.

45
Enochs TestimonyVerses 14-16

• "To execute judgment"See 2 Thess. 16-10.
• "Upon all" The judgments of the Flood involved
  all both the sons of God, or the line of Seth,
  as well as the arrogant and blasphemous line of
  Cain. Christ's judgment will do likewise. He will
  judge both the household and the world at large
  (Rom. 25-16 2 Thess. 15-10), but it is a
  Divine principle that "judgment must begin at the
  household of God"

46
Enochs TestimonyVerses 14-16

• "Murmurers" The word in Greek gongustes
  signifies to mutter.
• "Complainers"The Greek word mempsimoiros is
  compounded of memphomai, "to blame," and moira, a
  fate, or lot, hence, "blamers of fate," or people
  who find fault with life as ordered by God.
• "Walking after their own lusts This third
  characteristic links with the third example
  Sodom and Gomorrah (V.7).
• "Speaking great swelling words These are people
  who rule by words, who say "our lips are our own,
  who is Lord over us" Psa. 122-4.
• "Having men's persons in admiration"Because of
  advantage" The Diaglott renders "For the sake
  of gain." They are prepared to defer to others if
  it means that they themselves will benefit.

47
The Way To Contend AvailableResources Verses
17-25

• Recognize that apostasy has been foretold Vv.
  17-18
• Analyze actions and fruits V. 19
• Draw upon Divine resources Vv. 20-21
• Seek to reclaim where possible Vv. 22-23
• Rest upon the help of Yahweh Vv. 24-25

48
Recognize That Apostasy Has Been Foretold Verses
17-18

• Both Peter and Paul had clearly warned of the
  danger that now threatened every believer (see 2
  Pet. 21 1 Tim. 31-9 41-2).
• Knowing this first, that there shall come in the
  last days scoffers, walking after their own
  lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his
  coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all
  things continue as they were from the beginning
  of the creation. For this they willingly are
  ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens
  were of old, and the earth standing out of the
  water and in the water Whereby the world that
  then was, being overflowed with water, perished
  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by
  the same word are kept in store, reserved unto
  fire against the day of judgment and perdition of
  ungodly men. 2 Pet. 3 3-7

49
Analyze Actions and Fruits Verse 19

• "These be they who separate themselves" The
  Greek word apodiorize signifies to "set up
  bounds," "establish lines of demarcation,
  "create sects or cliques."
• "Having not the spirit" The "spirit" is a term
  used to define the power of the Truth believed,
  so that to be "led of the Spirit is to be led of
  the Truth (Gal. 518) But if ye be led of the
  Spirit, ye are not under the law

50
Draw Upon Divine Resources Verses 20-21

• 4 steps or means to successful living in the
  Truth
• "Building up yourselves on your most holy faith"
• "Praying in the Holy Spirit
• "Keep yourselves in the love of God"
• "Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ"

51
Seek To Reclaim Where Possible Verses 22-23

• "And of some have compassion, making a
  difference" RSV renders "Convince some who
  doubt.
• "And others save with fear" Jude would have us
  go about the work of converting with fear, lest
  we be adversely affected by the controversy.
• "Pulling them out of the fire -Rotherham links
  with V.22 "Such as are in doubt be saving, out
  of the fire snatching them." (Amos 411 see also
  Zech. 32).
• "Hating even the garment spotted by the
  flesh"Note the instructions of the Law in regard
  to the garments of a leper (Lev. 1347-52).

52
Rest Upon the Help of Yahweh Verses 24-25

• No warfare will be victorious without Yahweh's
  help, and that is readily available to all who
  seek Him. So Jude concludes by directing his
  readers to the great Source of Comfort, Power,
  and Victory.

53
Conclusion

• Our consideration of these short epistles is
  concluded, and what shall we say to sum it all
  up? We can say this, that the experience of the
  Truth reveals much that is fine, and noble, and
  good, but intermixed with it there is that which
  is evil, and wrong, and sad. There are manifested
  many griefs, many errors, but also a continual
  experience of the love and mercy of God. Thus we
  take both comfort and courage.

54
Conclusion

• Our duty remains clear To contend earnestly for
  the Faith once for all delivered to the saints
  to preserve in its purity that which is our most
  precious possession. Both Peter and Jude have
  instructed us not to be carried away with the
  absurd outcry against "contention" and the
  "fighting spirit". That spirit, properly
  controlled, as these brethren have taught us to
  control it, is a constructive spirit, and very
  little constructive or helpful work has been done
  by the smooth speaking and placid contentment
  school.

55
Conclusion

• Admittedly, a mere fighting man is useless he
  destroys without creating and there are such.
  But we do not have to be among their number. We
  can be creative as we contend we can show favour
  as we fight we can manifest love as we labor in
  the doctrine and if we do it all under the
  guidance of the Spirit-word, we will do it with
  the prospect of ultimate victory ever before us.
  Let that be our aim, and to God alone, our
  Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory
  and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for
  the ages. Amen!