OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE OF JUDE

“Contend Earnestly for the Faith”

Salutation, Jud_1:1-2

1. Warning against Traitors, Jud_1:3-4

2. Depravity and Doom of the Ungodly, Jud_1:5-16

3. The Faith and Hope of the Christian, Jud_1:17-22

Conclusion, Jud_1:24-25

INTRODUCTION

The James mentioned in Jud_1:1 is almost certainly the brother of our Lord, who was the well-known and universally revered leader of the mother church at Jerusalem, and the writer of the Epistle that bears his name. Jude, therefore, was also related to our Lord as brother; see Mat_13:55; Mar_6:3. These two were probably with the Apostles after the Ascension, and finally engaged in evangelistic efforts. See Act_1:14; 1Co_9:5.

We have no certain information concerning him, but Eusebius states that when Domitian ordered all the posterity of David to be slain, “some of the heretics accused the descendants of Jude, as the brother of our Savior according to the flesh, because they were of the family of David, and as such were also related to Christ.” It appears from the historian’s subsequent statement that these people made a good confession before their persecutors.

The Epistle was probably addressed to churches eastward of Judaea, among whom Jude had labored; and was probably written about a.d. 66. There are remarkable similarities between this Epistle and II Peter, indicating close communication between the two writers, as they looked out on the heretical teachers of the age and the low state of prevailing morals.

{e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of the Epistles of John in the printed edition.}



REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE EPISTLE OF JUDE

Outline

(a) What is the theme of this Epistle?

(b) How is it illustrated?



Introduction

(c) What is known of the author of this Epistle?

(d) To whom was it addressed?

(e) What is its relation to II Peter?

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.

1. What evidence is there that judgment awaits evil-doers?

2. What pitfalls beset the Christian? How may we be completely safeguarded? Give the benediction with which the Epistle closes.