Author:
The author of Jude identified himself as “the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James”. This Jude was most likely the half brother of Jesus. We have no indication of what office Jude held, but the Epistle itself suggests that he had a position of authority that qualified him to write letters of counsel.
Audience:
As with the other General Epistles, little is known about the audience of the book of Jude. Jude merely addressed his writing “to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ”.
Unique Features:
Although it is one of the shortest books in the New Testament, Jude has information that is not found anywhere else in the Bible. Jude speaks of angels “which kept not their first estate”, of a confrontation between Michael and Lucifer over the body of Moses, and of a prophecy of Enoch about the Savior’s Second Coming.
Theme:
Jude wrote to urge his readers to be devoted in their defense of the faith in the midst of ongoing apostasy and to warn them against people in the Church who were trying to lead them into forbidden paths. Jude 4–9 is similar in wording to 2 Peter 2, but whereas Peter was prophesying of future apostasy, Jude spoke of the fulfillment of that prophecy.
Jude 1 uses three examples to illustrate how God dealt with rebellion:
(1) the children of Israel were kept out of the promised land,
(2) the angels “which kept not their first estate” were cast out, and
(3) those in Sodom and Gomorrah who rejected divine warnings were destroyed.
Jude warned apostates that one day the Lord would come “to execute judgment upon all” the ungodly. He promised the faithful that by building their faith through prayer and love for God they would be saved from the fate of the apostates.
Jude realized that the Saints needed to help one another overcome apostate teachings.
Counsel given to faithful Saints:
But 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. Jude 1:20–21
And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the afire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jude 1:22–23
• Why is this counsel given after rather than before the counsel in Jude 1:20–21?
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve said:
“The example of our living will carry a greater influence than will all the preaching in which we might indulge. We cannot expect to lift others unless we stand on higher ground ourselves”.
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1975, 57; or Ensign, Nov. 1975, 38–39)
The way we live our lives may influence others to resist temptation and embrace the gospel message.
President Hinckley said:
“Never before has the Church had a better reputation than it has now. This is because of you, my brethren and sisters. The opinions of people concerning us for the most part arise out of personal and individual experiences. It is your friendliness, your concern for others, and the good examples of your lives that result in the opinions held by others concerning the Latter-day Saints”.
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 3; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 4)
Challenge: Write in your journal about a quality you have that, if it were strengthened, could help them lift others to higher ground.