by Lane Rogers
Authorship and canonicity
Relationship to 2nd Peter
Date
Occasion and Purpose
Theme and Outline
Aims:
Defend the inspiration and the canonicity of Jude.
Explain the relation to 2nd Peter
Understand the date, milieu and destination as it especially relates to the interpretation of the letter.
Comprehend the occasion, purpose theme and outline of the letter to understand better its contents.
II. Authorship and canonicity!
A. Internal Evidence.
Writer calls himself, “Jude” as servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James.”
He distinguishes himself from the apostles in Jude 17-18, but he talks with authority as an inspired man of God, with imperative commands in Jude 17, 20, 21, 22, and defends the faith, 3.
He shows a concern for their souls and love for the lost (Jude 3, 21-23), and denounces false teachings 4-19.
His teaching is in complete harmony with the rest of the Bible.
B. External Evidence in favor of canonicity.
Allusions to Jude are found in the Apostolic Fathers.
a. Epistle to the Philippians by Polycarp "building you up in the faith.” Jude 20.
b. Hermes speaks of “defiling the flesh.” Jude 8
c. Athenagoras alleged to the angels who did not keep their domain Jude 6.
The Muratorian Canon includes it (c. 170 A.D.)
Origen describes it as an “epistle of few lines, but full of powerful words of heavenly grace.”
Tertullian argues that the Book of Enoch should be accepted into the Canon because it is quoted by Jude.
C. Consideration of the Liberal Arguments Against canonicity!
The quotation of the Book of Enoch indicates Jude is not inspired for he quotes an uninspired writing. (The same argument is also made about Hebrews since the Hebrew writer quotes 1st and 2nd Maccabees.
a. It cannot be proved that Jude quotes from these writings. It is possible that these writings used Jude as the basis of their writings. http://reluctant-messenger.com/1enoch01-60.htm
b. If Jude does quote them it does not mean Jude endorsed the entirety of the writings but only that portioned used. Paul quotes from Cleanthes the great Stoic philosopher in Acts 17:28 and from Meander in 1st Cor. 15:33 and from Epimenides in Tit. 1:12 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epimenides, with the added expression “this testimony is true” v. 13. Certainly Paul did not endorse the works of these philosophers.
The author believed in a “creed” which was not developed until late in the second century.1
a. But “the faith which was once and for all delivered” Jude 3 is the same “full knowledge” that Peter says grants “all things to life and godliness” 2nd Peter 1:3.
b. “The faith” is the same that Paul said men would “fall away from.” 1st Tim. 4:1.
c. It is the same “faith” Paul says he persecuted and later preached. Gal. 1:23.
d. It is the same “body of truth” that Jesus said the Holy Spirit would guide the apostles to teach in the first century. Jn. 16:12-13.
e. It is the same “one faith” that Paul says the church ought to believe. Eph.4:5.
Its absence from the Syriac version indicates it was not accepted or inspired, or did not exist.
a. But it is obvious that writers as Polycarp, Hermas, Athenagoras and other knew it was there.
b. This just means that the book was not sent to Palestine or Syria.
4. Eusebius placed it in his list of doubtful books, but Eusebius did not reject it. He accepted it into his canon and only listed it as among the books that some object to. The church at large accepted it.
Identification of the Author.
1. The Theory of Jude the Apostle (advocated by Barnes).
a. Arguments in favor.
(1) Matt. 10:3 with Lk. 6:16 shows Judas, the brother of James is also Thaddaeus, or Judas, the son or brother of James.
(2) Tertullian called Jude an apostle.
b. Arguments against.
(1) Judas distinguishes between himself and the apostles. v.17
(2) Jude does not claim to be an apostle.
2. Jude the brother of James of Jerusalem, the brother of Jesus. (This is my view).
a. James of Jerusalem was very prominent throughout the church and was known to be the brother of Jesus (Acts 21:18).
b. Relating himself to James automatically related himself to Jesus.
c. Omitting the designation of “apostle” indicates he was James' brother; otherwise he would have used his apostolic authority to establish his writings with his readers.
d. Some wonder why he didn't show his relationship to Jesus, but out of modesty he probably refrained from this and rather spoke of his more important relationship to Jesus, that of being his “bond servant.”
e. A brother would have to be very preeminent to identify oneself after after him, rather than his father. James, the Lord's brother was more popular than many of the apostles at the end of his life.
II. Relationship to 2nd Peter.
A. Under 2nd Peter we have already pointed out that Peter predicts the false teachers (2:1,2,3; 3:3); whereas Jude notes the fulfillment of those predictions as already occurred (Jude 3,4 10ff).
B. Jude quotes 2nd Peter 3:3 as from the apostles and Peter gives these words as his own personal prediction (Jude 17-18); thus Jude is the earliest attestation of the apostolicity of 2nd Peter and joins himself to Peter by showing the fulfillment of is prophecy.
III. Date.
A. Since Jude shows the fulfillment of 2nd Peter's prophecy Jude must have been written several years after 2nd Peter was written.
B. It has been established that 2nd Peter was written toward the end of life (since his death is close, 2nd Peter 1:14); thus 66-67 A.D.
C. The mockers of the 2nd coming of Christ would likely begin their mocking after the destruction of Jerusalem because Christ had promised to return “after the tribulation.” Mark 13:24.
D. Some time would have to elapse after the destruction of Jerusalem before the mockers would have an argument that the Lord hadn't come “immediately or “soon” thus Peter's argument in 2nd Peter 3:8 that time is relative with the Lord, one day being a thousand years.
E. Thus, the probable date is 72-80 A.D. This is acceptable by many conservative scholars.
IV. Milieu and Destination.
A. Zahn claims “Jewish Christians” only.
1. Because he thinks 2nd Peter was written to Jews in Palestine.
2. Because he believes vs. 17, 18 indicate the same destination as 2nd Peter.
3. Because he believes James was well known only to the Jews.
B. Other View: The Christians of Asia Minor.
We have already shown that 2nd Peter was written to Gentiles as well as Jews, e.g. 1st Peter 2:10.
Agreed that the destination of 2nd Peter and Jude is the same because Peter predicted these false teachers would appear in Asia Minor and Jude says they have.
After the destruction of Jerusalem the Jews scattered mostly to Arabia, according to Eusebius.
James the apostle was known well is Asia Minor for he had written the letter sent to the churches of Gentiles in Acts 15-16.
Jude addresses generally, “those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: which includes Gentiles as well as Jews in Christ.
There is no indication at all of Jewish false teachers. Fits well the Gnostic teachers that crept into the church after the destruction of Jerusalem.
V. Occasion and Purpose.
A. Jude was planning to write them about their common salvation. v. 2a.
B. The sudden and devastating appearance of the false teachers moved him to write urging Christians to “contend earnestly for the faith.” vs. 3b-4.
D. Thus, Jude wrote to defend the faith, to warn them against the false teachers, to try to save them from their grasp, and strengthen them in the truth of Jesus Christ.
VI. Theme: “ A CALL TO CONTEND FOR THE FAITH.”
INTRODUCTION: 1: 1-3
A. The Author: Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James.
B. Recipients: Those who are called, beloved in God the Father , and kept for Jesus Christ.1:1.
C. Greetings: "May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you." 1:2
D. Reason for Writing: Necessity changes the subject from salvation to contend for the faith.
E. Theme: "Contend earnestly for the faith, once for all delivered to the saints." 1:3
I. The Call to Arms. 1:4
A. False Teachers have crept in unnoticed.
B. God's grace is turned into licentiousness.
C. They deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
II. The Call to Remembrance. 1:5-7
A. The Israelites punishment in wilderness after salvation from Egypt. (falling from grace) 1:5
B. The angel's punishment for leaving their domain and habitation. (falling from grace) 1:6.
C. Sodom and Gomorrah's punishment for going after strange flesh. (perversion) 1:7.
III. The Call to Identification: 1:8-16
A. False teachers arrogant rejection of authority. 1:8-10.
1. They revile authority.
2. Opposite example of Michael, the archangel who wouldn't even revile Satan.
3. Their ignorant reviling of things they do not understand like unreasoning animals.
B. The false teachers "Selfish greed and deception." 1:11-13.
1. The way of Cain.
2. The error of Balaam.
3. The rebellion of Korah.
4. Hidden reefs in your love feasts.
5. Clouds without water.
6. Wild waves of the sea, casting up their shameful foam.
7. Wandering stars.
C. The false teachers judgment were prophesied by Enoch.1:1-15.
1. The coming of the Lord predicted with his angels. 1:14.
2. The judgment on false teachers. 1:15.
3. The identification of these teachers with those the Lord will judge. 1:6.
D. The False teachers predictions by Peter. 1: 17-19.
1. Predicted by the apostles.
2. Mockers and lustful men.
3. Causers of division.
4. Worldly minded. Devoid of spirit.
IV. The Call to Action. 1:20-25.
A. The Action of Edification. 1:20-21.
a. Edification in the faith.
b. Praying in the Holy Spirit.
c. Keep yourselves in the love of God.
e. Waiting for mercy of Jesus for eternal life.
B. The Action of Soul Winning. 1:22-23.
a. Have mercy on the doubters.
b. Save others by snatching them out of the fire.
c. Have mercy with fear for those who have polluted the flesh.
C. The Action of Worship of God. 1:24-25.
a. Praise to the one who can keep us from stumbling.
b. Praise to the one who can make us stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.
c. Praise to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ.
d. Praise through ascribing glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen.
1. Know the outline with Roman Numerals and Capital Letters with references.
2. Identify the two possibilities of authorship.
3. Two possibilities of destination with two reason for the one you support and two reasons for the one you oppose.
4. Three reasons for the date you believe most likely.
5. Explanation of the relationship of Jude to the books of Enoch and the Assumption of Moses.
6. Explain the relationship to 2nd Peter.
7. Explain the purpose and occasion for writing.
8. Give three examples of false teachers from v. 11.
9. Give four illustrations of false teachers in vs.12-13.
10. Why could the prophecy of Enoch only refer to the second coming of Christ and not to the destruction of Jerusalem vs. 14-15?
11. Explain how the example of Michael, the archangel, reproves
the false teachers. 1:20-21.
12. What are the four actions of edification in view of the false teachers? 1:20--21.
13. What are the three actions of soul winning in view of the false teachers? 1: 22-23.
14. What are four things that Jude ascribes to God in order to worship Him? 1:24-25 What are the three phases of time involved in this worship?
1This is an absurdity. The oldest creed in Christianity is in 1st Cor. 15th Chapter.