Jude 1-16

Jude 1-16

Jude 1-16Brian Lee

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Summary

Jude identifies himself in verse 1:

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James

Although Jude does not explicitly say he is also a brother of Jesus, he most likely is. Now, rather than that relationship, Jude chooses to emphasize the relationship between the King and the servant.

Jude writes to a church that is loved, called, and kept by God (v. 1). He writes because, even though the church is "kept by God for Jesus Christ," it is not immune to danger.

From the opening greeting to the sobering descriptions that follow, Jude holds together the necessary tension of assurance and alertness. The believers are kept for Jesus Christ, but they are also called to recognize that a serious threat has already entered their midst.

The crisis Jude addresses is not persecution from outside, but corruption from within. Most of us who live in a nation where we have the freedom of religion do not face immediate persecution. However, we must not let our guards down because every church throughout all generations faces the danger of internal corruption.

Jude describes the situation as certain people having “crept in unnoticed.” What did they do? They distorted the grace of God into licentious living.

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (v. 4).

Distorted grace is not merely a misunderstanding. Left unchecked, it will lead to the denial of Jesus Christ, who alone is Master and Lord.

To awaken the church, Jude draws on Israel’s history, the angelic rebellion, and infamous judgments such as Sodom and Gomorrah (vv. 5–7).

5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

These are not random illustrations. They form a pattern. Privilege without reverence, grace without obedience, always ends in ruin.

Jude then turns from examples to exposure. The false teachers are driven by instinct rather than submission, by arrogance rather than awe. They reject authority, grumble against God’s ordering of life, flatter others for gain, and promise freedom while remaining enslaved themselves (vv. 8–16).

These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage (v. 16).

Jude intends not to terrify the faithful, but to sharpen their discernment so that the church may remain anchored in the truth once delivered.

Who is God

God protects His people as He rules history. Jude begins with reassurance. Believers are called, loved, and kept. Now, their security rests not in their vigilance, but in God’s covenant faithfulness. God keeps them for Jesus Christ, guarding their ultimate belonging and future.

At the same time, Jude presents God as the righteous Judge who does not overlook rebellious hearts. The God who saved Israel from Egypt also judged unbelief in the wilderness. The God who created angels also restrained those who rejected their calling. God’s character does not shift with circumstances. His mercy is real, but it is never detached from His holiness. He is patient, but not permissive. Faithful love includes faithful judgment.

What is our guilt

Our guilt lies not only in false teaching, but in our readiness to let it slip in quietly. Jude says the danger “crept in unnoticed” (παρεισέδυσαν). The problem was not bold outright defiance, but carelessness. We tend to soften the truth, blur the boundaries, and casually degrade the holiness of God, replacing it with familiarity.

The false teachers did not openly renounce Christ. They just reimagined Him. I wonder how many modern-day Christians do the same?

For many of us, Grace became permission. Freedom detached from obedience. God's and God-given authority were rejected in favor of popular opinions.

Jude describes them as "grumblers, malcontents, confident speakers without substance—clouds without rain, trees without fruit" (vv. 12–13).

Our guilt starts with our tolerating what we call small distortions because they feel harmless. We rest in false confidence because we use the familiar spiritual language, while submission to the Word fades. The most dangerous errors are often not the loudest ones, but those that enter unnoticed and reshape us slowly.

How does Grace shine

Grace pierces and awakens spiritually dull people. Jude does not call the church to save itself. He reminds them that they are already kept by God. This doesn't mean we can relax and live by pursuing our instincts. That we are saved by Grace Alone does not mean we delight to live a life of holiness naturally. We need the Grace of God daily, as we preach the Gospel to ourselves daily.

Grace helps the church to remember what God has done, to recognize what contradicts His truth, and to resist the pull of a faith shaped by comfort rather than conviction. Although Jude sends an alarming message, he also reminds us that the same mercy that saves also preserves us. The grace of our Lord will help God’s people to endure without drifting and to remain loyal to Christ in a confusing age.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You are the only and true Lord and our Master! And, you are good.

Thank you for calling us, loving and keeping us.

Please guard us from what slips in unnoticed. Keep us from distortions that wear the language of grace but erode obedience that leads to holiness.

Grant us discernment to recognize what is false and humility to remain under your Word.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.