Bible Study – Book Outlines: Jude

A. J. Higgins
Barrington, NJ

Author

Jude, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Audience

Likely converted Jews who knew their Old Testament. Probably written around the time of 2 Peter (A.D. 70).

Aim

To warn against apostasy.

Approach

Jude uses many figures of speech in his writing.

Allusions

Jude makes many references to the Old Testament. But notice that he does not place things in chronological order but in a moral order.

Arrangement of Material

Note the triads:

  • Writer (v.1)
  • Saints (v.1)
  • Blessing (v.2)
  • Apostates (v.4)
  • Examples (vv.5-7)
  • Motivation (v.11)
  • Manner (v.16)
  • Character (v.19)
  • Response (vv.22-23)

I. The Significant Change Apostasy Caused (vv.1-3)

    1. The Identification of the Writer
    2. Their Invulnerable Position
    3. The Inexhaustible Resources
    4. The Intention

II. The Singular Challenge Apostasy Creates (vv.4-16)

    1. From Their Wiliness (v.4)
    2. From Their Wickedness (vv.5-7) – Events are not in chronological order but in a moral order: The Root of Apostasy, The Ranks From Which Apostasy Comes (Angels), The Results and Ruin of Apostasy (Sodom and Gomorrah).
    3. From Their Words (vv.8-10)
    4. From Their Ways (vv.11-13) – The Demonstration from History:
      1. The Way of Cain – Religion without faith; ignored the blood
      2. The Error of Balaam – Religion for profit; ignored the call of God
      3. The Gainsaying of Korah – Religion based on democracy; ignored the Spirit of God. Cain rebelled against the character of God, Balaam the covenant of God, Korah the choice of God.
    5. From The Witness (vv.14-16)

III. The Spiritual Condition Apostasy Commands (vv.17-25)

    1. Perfect Assurance and Conviction in the Word of God
      1. Memory stimulated
      2. Mockers who would come
      3. Marks of these men – cause divisions or separations by ignoring divine limits
    2. Positive Living and Consistency (vv.20-21)
      1. Edification – building up yourselves
      2. Effectual prayer – praying in the Holy Spirit
      3. Expectancy – looking, earnestly expecting
    3. Perceptive Vision and Compassion (vv.22-23)
      1. Convict some – shut their mouths; no hope for their recovery
      2. Care for some led away – “pulling them out of the fire”
      3. Compassion on the overtaken – “and of some have compassion, making a difference”
    4. Praising Spirit and Confidence (vv.24-25) – Formula for all doxologies: someone to whom praise is directed; some honor ascribed; some duration expressed; some confirmation given in an Amen.
      1. The Person – “Now unto him that is able”; “the only wise God our Savior”
      2. The Present – He “is able to keep you from falling,” despite sunken rocks and dangers.
      3. The Prospect – “and to present you faultless.” Faultless is anomos (used in Eph 1:4; Col 1:22; Heb 9:14; 1Pe 1:19). “With exceeding joy” – the joy is first of all His; He will find joy in having us before Him.
      4. The Place – the Throne (“before the presence of his glory”)

Note the Parallelism

  • Sanctity (v.1) – present you faultless (v.24)
  • Security (v.1) – able to keep (v.24)
  • Mercy, peace, love (vv.2,21)
  • The faith (v.3) – your most holy faith (v.20)
  • Contending for and against (v.3) – building up yourselves (v.20)
  • Remember (v.5) – put you in remembrance (v.17)
  • Judgment (vv.5-7) – Enoch prophesied of judgment (vv.14-15)
  • Israel, Angels, Sodom (vv.5-7) – murmurers, complainers, lust (v.16)