What does Jude chapter 1 mean?

Answer 1

A:There is only one chapter in the General Epistle of Jude. Verse 1 says that it was written by a person called Jude, invariably assumed to be the apostle Jude or Jude the brother of Jesus. However verse 3 says that the author was writing (KJV) " that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." This demonstrates that the author lived generations after the time of Jesus: he clearly refers to the faith being delivered a very long time ago to "the saints," neither of which reference could he possibly have made if he was one of the disciples. Either he was an otherwise unknown second-century person called Jude, or the author made a particularly clumsy effort to attribute his book to one of the apostles.

Jude goes on to condemn those who do not believe, commit fornication and sodomy, seek wealth or are indifferent to Christianity. The epistle frequently uses the word 'beloved' but is dripping with hatred.

Another Answer:

The Epistle of Jude is a single chapter book which perhaps is one of the few that has much to say for our present generation. IMO, one should not approach Jude as a 'distorter' of the faith as many have who read his work and find it distasteful, but if approached with a receptive heart, Jude's words are a just as clear and forceful as they were when first written - and many scholars place this writing in circa 60-64 A.D..

Jude delivers a very clear picture of false teachers and he graps our attention with his appeals for defending the faith while growing in grace. Jude primarily focuses upon the faith of believers and God - not on the erroneous ways of heretics. Yet Jude does not give us a command to confront troublemakers as many do, but to avoid them. He reminds the reader they these are under the condemnation of God.

Jude has many similarities to 2 Peter with similar language and Old Testament illustrations. However, where Peter is anticipating trouble from false teachers, Jude places them in the past tense.

Lastly, Jude reveals to all that faith has now 'once for all delivered to the saints' just as Paul said in Hebrews 1:2 in other words. Jesus came and fulfilled the Law - there is no need to add to it or take away from it though mankind has done so without authority from God, confusing the simple Word of God for many.